IIT Kanpur professor dies on stage while delivering lecture at alumni meet

Kanpur: In a shocking incident, a senior professor at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur collapsed on stage while delivering a lecture and died. Sameer Khandekar, dean of student affairs and the head of the mechanical engineering department, was delivering a lecture during the alumni meet and collapsed on the dais on Friday. 

IIT Kanpur professor, Sameer Khandekar, was 53 years old and had been diagnosed with high cholesterol levels about five years ago, said reports. He was rushed to the hospital. However, Khandekar was declared dead on arrival. Authorities assessed cardiac arrest as the reason behind the death. 

Former IIT-Kanpur director Abhay Karandikar expressed shock over the sudden demise of Sameer Khandekar, whom he described as an outstanding teacher and researcher.

Informing about the incident, the former IIT-Kanpur director said Khandekar was delivering a lecture when he felt severe chest pain and started sweating profusely. Before anyone could make sense of what was happening, he collapsed on the stage, Karandikar added.

He said the body has been kept at the IIT-Kanpur's health centre and the final rites would be performed only after the arrival of his only son Pravah Khandekar who is studying at Cambridge University.

(With agency inputs)