Padma Shri Awardee Dr Mani Chhetri, Former SSKM Director, Dies at 106
Padma Shri cardiologist Dr Mani Chhetri dies at 106 years.
Eminent cardiologist and Padma Shri award recipient Dr. Mani Chhetri passed away at his residence on Sunday night at the age of 106. Family sources said the legendary doctor had suffered a head injury following a fall about two weeks ago and had been largely bedridden after returning home from the hospital.
“He had shown signs of recovery after being discharged, but his condition gradually deteriorated over the past few days,” a family member said. Dr. Chhetri’s death marks the end of a remarkable career spanning several decades in the field of cardiology.
Born on May 23, 1920, in Darjeeling, Dr. Chhetri completed his MBBS in 1944 before pursuing higher medical studies abroad. Upon returning to India, he built a distinguished career, earning widespread recognition for his contributions to cardiology and patient care.
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Dr. Chhetri served as the director of the prestigious SSKM Hospital in Kolkata and also held the post of Director of Health Services for West Bengal. Despite his significant administrative responsibilities, he remained committed to attending to patients throughout his career.
In recognition of his outstanding service in medicine, Dr. Chhetri was awarded the Padma Shri in 1974. Even after retiring from government service in 1982, he continued to practice medicine actively, attending to patients well into his later years.
In recent years, Dr. Chhetri had been battling dementia, which gradually reduced his clinical engagements. “He continued attending to patients until about two years ago,” a family member noted. His passing leaves a lasting legacy in Indian cardiology, remembered for both his professional excellence and dedication to patient care.
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