News of the sudden passing of Dr Anshuman Pant came as a great shock to the members and office bearers of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA). For a number of years, Anshuman served with great enthusiasm and extraordinary commitment as Secretary of the WPA Rural Mental Health Section. A proactive member, he assisted in the organisation of many teaching and training programs relevant to Rural Mental Health in different parts of the world.
After completing his MD Psychiatry at SMS Medical College in Jaipur India, Anshuman moved to the UK where he worked as a Consultant Psychiatrist and was an active member of the British Indian Psychiatric Association (BIPA). He later moved to Australia where he took a lead in developing and delivering mental health services as a Consultant Psychiatrist in Warrnambool, VIC and Brisbane, QLD.
Anshuman was a kind and generous person, jovial in nature, and full of energy and enthusiasm. He was a dynamic worker and had a captivating personality.
The loss to our profession is irreparable. Anshuman will be deeply missed.
Wishing his family strength during this time of great sadness.
Prof Helen Herrman AO, WPA President, Australia
Prof Afzal Javed, WPA President-Elect, UK
Prof Roy Abraham Kallivayalil, WPA Secretary General, India
Prof Thomas G Schulze, WPA Secretary for Scientific Sections
Prof S C Malik, Chair, WPA Rural MH Section, India
Prof Vimal Kumar Sharma, WPA Rural MH Section, UK
A/Prof Neeraj Gill, WPA Section on Psychiatry, Law and Ethics, Australia