Dr Padmavati Dua, popular to social media followers as Chinna Dua, has passed away, reports said Friday. A doctor, saree connoisseur and prominent figure in Delhi's social circles, Dua is remembered for lighting up Instagram feeds with her frequent wardrobe, food and lifestyle updates.
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She is survived by two daughters and her husband, journalist Vinod Dua. Mallika Dua, her daughter, took to Instagram and shared the news of her demise, "She left us last night. My whole heart. My whole life. The only god I know. My Amma I'm sorry I couldn't save you. You fought so hard my mama. My precious. My heart. You're my whole life." Many of her friends also tweeted and shared condolences on social media.
Dua shared that it pains her that her friends who have been through the same thing say that it gets better.
As per earlier reports, Dua was battling COVID-19 in ICU at Medanta hospital, Gurugram, Haryana. Her husband too had contracted the virus.
Remembering Chinna Dua: A Woman Of Many Trades
Chinna Dua by profession was a radiologist and by nature, a people's person. In a conversation with SheThePeople earlier this year, an ever zesty Dua had said, "In my mind, I’m always young. I’m 60, but in my mind, I’m 16. I still have to remind myself of my age sometimes. It’s an attitude yaar. For many things, I believe: Why not? Why shouldn’t I do it?"
From a Tamil family, Dua grew up in a plural setting with many sisters, four of them older than her. An interest in multicultural clothes and a love for dress-up was almost inevitable.
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"I didn’t have a huge wardrobe for myself. Having sisters, we all shared. Even after marriage, my collection grew. At the time, people were still wearing sarees to parties. Eventually, women of my age too began wearing dresses and palazzos. The only person wearing a saree at the party would be Chinna Dua," she told us, adding she felt most comfortable in a saree.
She was one of many older women influencers creating their own space on the youth hub of Instagram. And she gelled in just right. The younger crowds flocked to Dua's profile for wise inspiration on ensemble and style.
"Learning to take selfies on Instagram, editing my videos in lockdown was something I learned – I feel very proud of myself. It keeps me going. It’s important to keep re-inventing yourself," she said, upbeat.
On social media, she was a regular speaker on styling, women's health and food panels. Dua had, earlier this year, become a grandmother as her older daughter Bakul welcomed her first child.
Tributes are pouring in for Chinna Dua on social media:
Her friend and actor Bina Kak wrote, "Gone too soon ,our darling friend Chinna Dua ..Succumbed to Covid! A brilliant, competent Doctor, great singer, social worker, compassionate friend who brought cheer to people's faces.. Lightened-up their faces with her vit and charm.. You will be missed. Love ..RIP after suffering so much @mallikadua @chinnadua. (sic)"
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She was quintessential woman. Tamil; doctor; expert cook; singer; insta queen: sagalakalavalli! Kind gentle beautiful soul, #chinna Dua aka Padmavati is gone… but she shall live in each one of us women… @kalpanaiyer1@kavitaashok1969@khushsundar
Chinna Dua's daughter Mallika took to Instagram to share two stories on her mother's untimely demise. "She left us last night. My whole heart. My whole life. The only god I know. My Amma I’m sorry I couldn’t save you. You fought so hard my mama. My precious. My heart. You’re my whole life,” she wrote. Mallika further added in a separate Instagram story, "It’s not about my loss and grief. It’s about a life cut short. I always knew I didn’t deserve her. But she deserved to live. I don’t know if I will ever be able to pray again.”
A few weeks ago, Chinna Dua had lost her niece, news producer Shivani Dua due to COVID. Mallika Dua had then spoken about Shivani on social media saying. "I lost my first cousin last night. She was nothing but full of love at every moment of her life. I will never ever believe it. I don't have the strength to grieve. She is with her mother and grandparents, people she loved the most. I will never be able to accept this or whatever is happening around me,” Dua wrote.
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