Professor A.S. Parasnis
Department of Physics,
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur

It is with deep sorrow and grief that I inform you the sad demise of Professor Arvind S Parasnis on Sunday, October 16, 2011 at 10:30 AM. We have been informed that he had been unwell for the past two days, his demise was caused by a heart attack.

One of the first few to join IITK as a faculty member, Professor Parasnis was a doyen who played a major role in building the Institute in its formative years. His contributions in building the Department of Physics, especially the Optics group, were also seminal. He was the founder Head of the Laser Technology Programme and also served as the Head, Department of Physics.

He was one of the few people who make a lasting impression on us. He leaves behind his wife and two sons. Needless to mention he loved the students and was loved by the students in an exemplary manner. He all throughout was very proud of the alumni of the Institute. The Alumni Association is continuously receiving a number of messages related to his contribution to the Institute and personal affection that he had for the students.

On behalf of IITK Alumni we pray God to give his soul eternal peace and offer our heartfelt condolences to his family with prayers that they have the strength to bear the great loss.