Draft:Pradeep R. Mehendiratta
| Submission declined on 28 July 2025 by Theroadislong (talk). This submission does not appear to be written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. Entries should be written from a neutral point of view, and should refer to a range of independent, reliable, published sources. Please rewrite your submission in a more encyclopedic format. Please make sure to avoid peacock terms that promote the subject.
Where to get help
How to improve a draft
You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article. Improving your odds of a speedy review To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags. Editor resources
|  |
Dr. Pradeep R. Mehendiratta
[edit]Dr. Pradeep Rai Mehendiratta (15 November 1931 – 28 January 2022) was an Indian academic administrator who served as Director General and Vice President of the American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS). He contributed to Indo-American academic exchange and helped establish several Indian language and research programs during his tenure.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Mehendiratta was born on 15 November 1931 in Lodhran, Multan (then Punjab, British India; now in Pakistan). Following the Partition of India in 1947, he relocated to Kurukshetra, Haryana, and supported himself with various jobs while completing his education at Jat High School and Sanatan Dharma College, Hisar.[1]
He began his career in Indian government service and pursued higher studies concurrently. He earned an MBA from the Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi, and a PhD from Kurukshetra University. His doctoral thesis was later published as University Administration in India and the USA (1984).[2]
Career
[edit]American Institute of Indian Studies
[edit]Mehendiratta joined the American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS) in 1962. Under his leadership, AIIS expanded to a consortium of over 90 U.S. universities and developed 16 regional language centers across India. He was involved in the planning of the AIIS National Campus in Gurugram, which houses:
- The Center for Art & Archaeology (CA&A), with a photographic and textual archive of South Asian art
- The Archives and Research Center for Ethnomusicology (ARCE), which preserves recordings of Indian folk music and cultural heritage
After his retirement in 2004, Mehendiratta was named Vice President (Emeritus), and the Gurugram campus was later dedicated in his name.[1]
Publications
[edit]In addition to administrative roles, Mehendiratta supported major academic publishing efforts, including the 14-volume Encyclopaedia of Indian Temple Architecture (EITA), produced with support from the Smithsonian Institution and the National Endowment for the Humanities.[3]
His own published works include:
- University Administration in India and the USA (1984)
- Coming to India and Delhi – The Gateway to Modern India for Foreign Scholars
- Essays on Taxation and Labour Relations in India
His contributions have been cited in academic works such as Philip Lutgendorf’s *Hanuman’s Tale: The Messages of a Divine Monkey*.[4]
Legacy
[edit]After his death, the AIIS launched a research fellowship in his name. He also donated archival materials to the Dharohar Museum at Kurukshetra University and contributed to the Haryana State Archives.[1]
Death
[edit]Dr. Mehendiratta passed away on 28 January 2022 in Gurugram, India, following a brief illness.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "Pradeep Mehendiratta, who helmed American scholars in Indian studies, passes away". The Pioneer. 5 February 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ^ Mehendiratta, P.R. (1984). University Administration in India and the USA. Manohar Publications.
- ^ "Pradeep Mehendiratta Obituary". H-Net. February 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ^ Lutgendorf, Philip (2007). Hanuman's Tale: The Messages of a Divine Monkey. Oxford University Press.