PGIMER Fraternity saddened by the demise of Prof. Prof A K Banerjee, former Head, Dept. of Histopathology and a distinguished neuropathologist
PGIMER lost a stalwart and a distinguished neuropathologist, Prof A K Banerjee on 31 July 2022 leaving behind the Pathology community, his friends and students into sadness and despondency.
Prof. Banerjee was born on 23 July 1939 in Purnia district of Bihar. He completed his medical education from National Medical College, Kolkata in 1962 following which he joined PGI Chandigarh in 1964. He was among the first batch of MD students at Pathology department of PGI. He obtained his MD degree in 1966. He was recruited as lecturer in Pathology, PGIMER in 1968. He had his further training as Commonwealth fellow at Institute of Neurology Queen’s square London- 1969-70; Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast – 1977-78.
At PGI, Prof. Banerjee continued as faculty and rose to the position ofProfessor of Neuropathology, Head, Dept of Histopathology and Chairman, Group ‘C’ Departments. After a glorious career of nearly four decades he retired in July 2001. During his career he also served as Consultant and Chairman, Dept of Pathology, Salmaniya Medical Centre Bahrain – 1989-93 on ex-India leave.
Prof Banerjee was a Fellow of National academy of medical sciences (FAMS) New Delhi and a Fellow of Royal College of Pathologists (FACPath). For his meritorious contributions, the Neurological society of India had bestowed on him a “ Lifetime achievement award”.
Professor A K Banerjee was a doyen in Pathology and a stalwart in Neuropathology. He was an excellent teacher and mentor to hundreds of pathologists. Many of them attained very senior positions in India and abroad. Those who have worked under him always cherished it as a privileged experience. His contributions to the Department of Histopathology have been immense and very vital. He was instrumental in setting up Neuropathology as a specialty in PGIMER and with his dedication and commitment; it is now comparable to the international standards. He has left a great legacy in Neuropathology after his retirement.
Prof. Banerjee, or AKB as he was fondly referred to, had his own grace and own style which many of his students wanted to emulate. Besides, pathology, he taught his students honesty, discipline, probity, truth, medical ethics and how to maintain dignity in professional life despite differences in opinion in academics.Dr Banerjee’s slide sessions on Thursday “theso called softy softy sessions”in Histopathology Department were very popular, high-class and exceptional for postgraduate students.
He always remembered his students by name and remained in touch with them through social media till recently. He was a straightforward person and would not mince words. His professional competence was utmost and unmatched. His comments in academic discussions were usually final and difficult to be challenged and defied. He was very meticulous in his work and his office table was always clean and organized. He published extensively in reputed journals and written many chapters in re books. His work on rabies encephalitis, CNS infections and pathology of stroke is still quoted in references. His area of interest in pathology was Neuropathology and Endocrine Pathology. His non-academic interests were Bengali Culture, Sports and social media interactions.
He is survived with his wife, DrMrs CK Banerjee MD pathology, a very gentle, sweet and lovely Person who worked as faculty in the same department and is now also retired. Banerjee’s have two lovely daughters: Manjari and Sujatawho are well settled with their families in Singapore and US respectively.
