IIT Kanpur professor falls on stage, dies

A senior IIT Kanpur professor died of a heart attack while delivering a lecture during an alumni meet, the educational institute said on Saturday. According to officials, Sameer Khandekar, 53, dean of student affairs and head of the mechanical engineering department, collapsed on the stage while addressing the gathering on Friday. Officials said he was soon taken to the hospital where he was declared dead. Khandekar was diagnosed with high cholesterol levels about five years ago. Former IIT Kanpur director Abhay Karandikar expressed grief over the sudden demise of Sameer Khandekar, whom he described as an excellent teacher and researcher. Khandekar was giving a lecture when he felt severe chest pain and started sweating. Karandikar said, before anyone could understand what was happening, he collapsed on the stage. The professor said that the body has been kept in the health center of IIT Kanpur and the last rites will be performed only after the arrival of his only son Pravah Khandekar, who is studying in Cambridge University.