My memories of versatile actor Om Puri/ By Dr L S Chawla

Expressing great shock at the sudden death of versatile actor Om Puri, Dr L S Chawla-Former Principal of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital Ludhiana recalled his meeting with Om Puri. He remembered that it was in sometime in late 1970s that Shri Harpal Tiwana a well known theatre personality brought Om Puri to him. At that time Om Puri was working with Harpal Tiwana as a theatre artist. Om Puri was not feeling well and was having chest pain with fever. He was being treated by someone else for Tuberculosis of Chest. On examination it was found that he had developed Amoebic Liver Abscess which had burst into Pleura (covering around Lungs). It was a serious illness. Realizing his contribution to the art and his low economic status at that time I talked to the management to make his treatment free and give him a private room free of cost, said Dr Chawla. A strong willed person, Om Puri recovered very well and went back to work. After a few years when he had risen to fame he came to Ludhiana to meet me reiterated Dr Chawla. He was a very humble personality and a person committed to the art for the people. His contribution to the art has no parallel and will be remembered for long time to come.