Renowned cardiologist, Padmashri awardee Dr BK Goyal passes away

New Delhi: Eminent cardiologist Dr BK Goyal breathed his last in Mumbai on Tuesday following a cardiac arrest. He was 82-years-old.

He was rushed to Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital after he collapsed in his Malabar Hill residence and was declared dead upon arrival.

He is survived by his son Rahul Goyal, and three daughters -- Sandhya Mittersain, Alka Jhunjhunwala, and Varsha Sethi.

His last rites will be performed at the Banganga crematorium in south Mumbai on Wednesday.

Dr Bal Krishna Goyal served as a friend and cardiologist to top Indian political dignitaries and celebrities and was known for his trademark sartorial style of a tuxedo with a bow tie. He was appointed the Sheriff of Mumbai in 1980.

Conferred India's top three civilian awards - Padma Shri (1984), Padma Bhushan (1990), and Padma Vibhushan (2005) - Dr Goyal was born on November 19, 1935, in Jaipur. He was long associated with the leading medical institution, Bombay Hospital as its Honorary Dean and was Chief Cardiologist at the Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences.

He also served as the Director-Professor of Cardiology of Sir J. J. Group of Hospitals, Grant Medical College and the Haffkine Institute, all in Mumbai.

Over his decades of service in the medical profession, he was awarded top national and international honors.

Goyal authored a book, "Heart Talk" besides having more than 50 publications in various Indian and globally recognized journals.

In 1980, he was appointed Sheriff of Mumbai and also became the Honorary Consultant Cardiologist with the world-famous Texas Heart Institute, Houston, the only foreign cardiologist (outside the US) who got the distinction.

He also served as a visiting Professor of Cardiology at the University of Alabama and Oshner Heart Institute, New Orleans and was the consultant cardiologist to the Indian armed forces.

The Maharashtra Government had honored him by appointing him as the Professor Emeritus of Cardiology at the Grant Medical College for life.

Earlier, Goyal was a Member of Executive Council of the University of Bombay and presently as the Member of the Senate of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS).

Besides, he served as a Member of the Central Council of Health & Family Welfare, Medical Council of India, National Council for Blood Transfusion and elected Fellow of National Academy of Medical Sciences and was its Professor Emeritus.