Prof. R Parthasarathy

Retd. Professor, Dept. of Psychiatric Social Work NIMHANS, Bengaluru

Abstract

Dr. R Parthasarathywas born in a prestigious, well educated, highly spiritually oriented, joint family at Aaraniin Tamil Nadu state in the year 1950. He was a meritorious scholar throughout his educational career and was a revered teacher, trainer and a colleague

As a professional social work educator for the past 37 years, he created a special place in the annals of social work education and in the hearts of his students and professional colleagues within the country and outside. He positively transformed the lives of many of his students and professional colleagues.He was undaunted by challenges and was always affirmative in his passion to create avenues for students to realise their goals through academic pursuancHe was truly an educator extraordinaire, a teacher par excellence and an astute leader

Both as a student and a teacher, to numerous other important and prestigious positions, Dr. Partha, as fondly known, practised with a sense of social responsibility that kept pace with the growth of his professional skills as a teacher and supervisor. With determination and conviction, he explored many different approaches seeking greater understanding of the solution of the plethora of issues with the objective to deliver desired and lasting results.

He was well known as a good teacher, trainer, educator, researcher, clinician, role model and mentor for many of his students, who were pursuing their various degrees in social work education at various universities and faculty members of psychiatric social work and various other allied disciplines.His generous and unending mentorship of students is legendary – students wholeheartedly expressed their gratitude for creating an enriching environment and for the lifelong impact he had on their learning and professional development as future professionals, mentors and scholars. Students and colleagues alike had been struck by his calm but genuine enthusiasm, his remarkable imagination, innovative thinking and creativity, witty responses and the gentle humility underlying his extraordinary accomplishments.

Dr. Partha published more than 250 scientific academic research papers in reputed professional academic journals and textbooks.He had also served as an active member of many Academic Councils and functioned as an honorary member of the University Boards for the selection of several professors and faculty of social work at several prestigious universities. His significant contributions were in the areas of professional social work practice in general and child psychiatry, school mental health, life skills education, community mental health and family psychiatry in particular.

His leadership and monumental contributions facilitated and empowered the Department of Psychiatric Social Work at NIMHANS to enhance the professional contributions of its human resource and to undertake many ongoing social research projects

As a person, he epitomized all the life skills and he was also well known for the practice of spirituality in his day-to-day personal and professional activities. His zeal, passion and dedication to social work education is unparalleled and has gone a long way in recognizing and respecting his students and professional colleagues who were associated with him in varied capacities.

Dr. Parthasir, we miss you !!!