PGI ex-Director JS Neki dead

Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, September 11

Renowned psychiatrist and former Director of PGI, Chandigarh, Dr Jaswant Singh Neki today passed away at his Delhi home after a prolonged illness. He had been suffering from age-related problems and diabetes. Dr Neki, 90, is survived by a daughter and a son. His son is a medical specialist, while his daughter is a PhD.

“Dr Neki passed away peacefully today. He had been ill for long. He was in hospital until a while ago but wanted to come home. So we brought him back. We had recently shifted to a new residence in Hemkund Colony in Delhi,” Kanwarjit Neki, the wife of former PGI Director said. His cremation will take place at Delhi’s Lodhi Road crematorium at noon tomorrow.

Formerly the head of department of psychiatry at AIIMS (from 1968 to 1978), Dr Neki assumed charge as PGI director in 1978 and served in the position until 1981. He was chosen by the WHO as a consultant to Tanzania in 1981. Upon his return, Dr Neki and his family made Delhi their home with Dr Neki continuing to practice privately. He was also a renowned Sikh scholar, known for his poetry collections.