Dr. Mohinder Nath Passey: 1934 - 2002 Dr. MN Passey, the President of the Delhi Branch Indian Rheumatology Association, passed away on 30th May 2002. He was an immensely liked and respected figure amongst the Physician Fraternity in Delhi and India and his depature will leave a void amongst us that will be hard if not impossible, to fill.

After his medical graduation and post-graduation from Gwalior and Medical Registrar posts at Irwin Hospital, he joined the Hindu Rao Hospital as a Medical Specialist in 1964. He enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with the Hospital over the next 2 decades, becomes Consultant and Head of the Department of Medicine in 1985. During this time, he was an active member of the association of Physicians of India and was guiding force behind the annual API conferences (APICON) to be held in Delhi in 1976, 1982 and 1993. Dr Passey was deeply interested in Rheumatology as a specialty of Medicine and remained an active member of the Indian Rheumatology Association (IRA) throughout his active professional career. He was one of the founder members and guiding forces behind the Delhi Branch of the IRA and in 1997 was unanimously elected its (3rd) President. He was always ready to participate in clinical meetings and updates of the Delhi Branch and latterly, despite his declining health would attend these meetings. He was a major guiding force for the Secretary of the Delhi Branch, being always willing to give advice, help and gently criticism (where needed).

In recognition of his outstanding and meritorious services to the field of Medicine, Dr Passey was appointed Honorary Physician to the President of India and was also awarded the PADAMSHREE on 26th January 1991.

S.J. Gupta
Consultant Rheumatologist Apollo Hospital
New Delhi