Kolkata, April 6 – Renowned doctor and Padma Shri awardee, Mani Chhetri, has passed away, his family members announced on Monday. He was suffering from age-related ailments.
The Padma Shri award-winning doctor passed away at his home in Ballygunge Place on Sunday evening at 10:15 PM. He was 105 years old. According to his family, he had suffered a head injury fifteen days prior. After this, the eminent cardiologist's health rapidly deteriorated.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her condolences on social media.
"I am saddened by the passing of renowned physician Dr. Mani Chhetri. A chapter in the medical world of Bengal and India has come to an end. I pray for the peace of his departed soul and offer my condolences to his family, countless students, patients, and admirers," CM Banerjee wrote in a post on Monday morning.
Mani Chhetri was the director of SSKM Hospital, and due to his efforts, the Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU) was established in this hospital.
He also initiated various departments, including Endocrinology, Cardiology, Nephrology, and Diabetes, which were the first of their kind in any hospital in the state.
The West Bengal Doctors' Forum has stated that all doctors in the state will come to work on Monday wearing black badges to pay tribute to the legendary doctor.
Mani Kumar Chhetri was born in Darjeeling on May 23, 1920. He completed his primary education at Darjeeling Municipality Primary School and passed his matriculation from Calcutta University in 1936.
He graduated in medicine in 1944 and obtained his postgraduate degree in medicine in 1949. He then went abroad for further studies in medicine.
In 1955, he received his MRCP degree from the Royal College of Physicians, London. In 1969, he obtained a fellowship from the American College of Cardiology. In 1972, he received a fellowship from the Indian Academy of Medical Sciences. In 1973, he received a fellowship from the Royal College of Physicians.
After returning from London, Mani Chhetri started his career at the School of Tropical Medicine in Kolkata. He joined as a resident physician. Later, when Bidhan Chandra Roy was the Chief Minister, he was brought to the Presidency General Hospital as a consultant physician.
Dr. Mani Kumar Chhetri was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1974 for his outstanding contribution to the field of medicine.