Noted psychiatrist Anand Pandurangi is no more

Noted psychiatrist and Karnataka Rajyotsava awardee Anand Pandurangi, 74, died at a private hospital in Dharwad in the early hours of Thursday.

Known for promoting community-based mental healthcare in North Karnataka, he is survived by his wife Anupama, a psychologist, and son, Aditya Pandurangi, a psychiatrist.

A large number of people from different walks of life visited his residence at Michigan Compound in Dharwad to pay their last respects.

MP and former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, former MLA Chandrakant Bellad, Malikarjun Swami of Murugha Mutt and others were among those who paid last respects.

The cremation was held with full state honours on Thursday night.

An alumni of Karnataka Medical College, Pandurangi took mental healthcare beyond hospitals through counselling programmes in schools and colleges, mental health camps in towns and villages, and training for teachers to identify mental health concerns among adolescents.