Page 22 - The Indian EYE 010325

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline JANUARY 03, 2025 | The Indian Eye 22

IN MEMORY

Dr Sunil Pandya, the Shining Sun

Who Filled the Empty Void and Barren

Minds, Sets in for Eternity

Community leaders remember the neurosurgeon as a teacher, mentor, confidante and a role model

OUR BUREAU

New York, NY
r Sunil Pandya, was not just
a teacher but a guiding light,
Da beacon of knowledge and a
true leader to be followed for leading
an accomplished life.
With deep grief and tears in the
eyes, the shocking news of passing
away of Dr Pandya has left all his
family and friends in anguish and
heartbroken.
“Today, is one of the saddest
days of my life and also for everyone
whose life Dr Pandya had touched,”
said Dr. Raj Bhayani.
Recalling Dr. Pandya’s contribu-
tion, Dr. Bhayani said, “I still remem-
ber the first day, I visited the depart-
ment of Neurosurgery with mixed
feelings of anxiety, overwhelmed and
unsure. When I gave Dr. Pandya the
paper of residency assignment, he
got up from the chair and smiled and
congratulated me for joining the de-
partment.” Dr. Bhayani was literally support and encouragement without what I was going through,” said Dr. make it a point to celebrate the life
in awe with his towering personality an iota of doubt and judgment. He Bhayani. Dr. Pandya lived and the impact he
in white dress that comforted and was a true believer in the ability of Dr. Pandya calmed him down made. Let us carry his spirit of em-
made everyone feel welcome with people to achieve greatness, and that and assured him of his support and pathy, ethics, curiosity, kindness, and
his genuine smile and infectious en- belief propelled many forwards. continued the backing for three dedication in our hearts, and strive
thusiasm. Remembering Dr. Pandya, Dr. years which was life changing for Dr. to be the kind of people Dr. Pandya
The epic sessions of radiology Bhayani put his own emotions out Bhayani. believed we could be.
reading by Dr. Pandya always had a and said, “When I joined the depart- Dr Pandya was more than just Let Dr. Pandya rest in peace as
knack for breaking down complex ment, I was a timid man, not so con- a teacher; he was a mentor, a confi- we convey our heartfelt thanks for
concepts into understandable pieces, fident and unsure of what I want to dante, and a role model. His legacy believing in us, even when many of
making learning not just accessible, do in my life. By the time, I finished lives on in the countless students he us didn’t believe in ourselves. His
but exciting for all. Not just Neuro- three years with Dr Pandya, Dr Nag- has inspired to pursue their passions, valuable life lessons will always guide
surgery and academics, Dr. Pandya pal and Dr Karapurkar, I was com- to embrace challenges, and to make us as he stays in our heart forever
had taught many life lessons to many pletely transformed by them with a positive difference in the world. even after leaving for the heavenly
who were blessed to have received clarity, confidence and conviction “These thoughts of gratitude abode,” he added.
his guidance. about any challenges in my life.” He and respect, I could never express to Countless people and the neu-
Dr. Pandya did not just teach even clarified further that in Initial him directly out of tremendous re- rosurgeons, in particular, whose life
but he encouraged everybody to days, as much as we respected him, spect for him. As in front of him, I Dr. Pandya touched and changed
question, to think critically, and to we used to be very afraid of him. often became speechless and short of need to ensure that we continue to
never be afraid to voice their opin- “When I went through some words. I now sincerely wish I should honor his legacy and aim to estab-
ions. Whenever each one of his ac- emotional crisis in my personal life, have done that when I had a chance,” lish an endowment chair in his name
quaintances stumbled, Dr. Pandya I had no idea how to deal with it. I said an overwhelmed Dr. Bhayani. at King Edward Memorial (KEM)
was there to lift them up, offering gathered my courage and told him “As we all mourn this great loss, Hospital.

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