Prof G K Rastogi dies of chikungunya

Chandigarh, Oct 10 (UNI) Prof Gopal Krishan Rastogi, founder-head of Endocrinology Department of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), died of chikungunya at Madurai recently.

He was 70. He is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters.

Prof Rastogi, who had come from USA for alumni meet at Kodaikanal on September 13, 2006, contracted viral infection of chikungunya and succumbed to the disease on Saturday last, a PGIMER spokesperson said.

The disease has affected more than 1.3 million people in the country so far.

Prof Rastogi, who left PGIMER in 1978 for USA and often visited India, was honoured with various awards. He was the first in the country to start ''radioimmunoassay''.

A condolence meeting was held to pay homage to Prof Rastogi at the PGIMER today under the chairmanship of its Director Prof K K Talwar.

Rich tributes were paid to the departed soul at the meeting by Prof Talwar, Prof Anil Bhansali, Head of the Department of Endocrinology, Prof R J Dash, former head, former directors, emeritus professors, ex-professors, faculty members, administrative staff and resident doctors.

Prof Rastogi was born on November 12, 1936 and did MBBS and MS from King George Medical College, Lucknow and joined the PGIMER in 1964. He was founder-head of the Department of Endocrinology and started DM course in Endocrinology in 1969.

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