Padmashree’ Dr. P.N. Mehra (1907-1994), D.Sc., F.N.A., F.N.A. Sc, Professor Emeritus, Panjab University Chandigarh, was my Ph.D supervisor. He was kind enough to deliver the inaugural lecture on  “Prospects of Propagation and Bio synthesis of Active Principles Through Tissue Culture of Threatened Medicinal Herbs” in C.S.I.R and I.C.A.R. sponsored national seminar convened by me  at Gurukul Kangri University, Hardwar, September 25-26, 1986. Professor Mehra had served as Professor and Head of Department of Botany, Panjab University, Lahore from 1944 to 1947 onwards, after partition at make shift Botany Department at Khalsa College, Amritsar till July 1960 and then at P.U., Chandigarh, till he superannuated in 1976.

Professor Mehra was also founder Head of Departments of Microbiology and Pharmacy of Panjab University, Chandigarh. Department of Pharmacy is now known as Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of P.U. Chandigarh. He also remained advisor  to H.P. University, Shimla and Fruit Research Station Mushobara.

He was also Honorary Professor to University of Tribhuwan Nepal