On 21 November 2024, Dr Nirmal Kumar Saksena left this world.
Dr. N.K. Saksena was Born on 24th March 1936. An exceptional human being and a true jewel for India in the field of Psychology. He earned international recognition as among India’s most renowned scholars in the field of Health Psychology. His contributions had a noteworthy impact on building the perception of psychology as an essential field of study in India.
The numerous awards and achievements that he put in his name throughout his career testify to his commitment and passion for the discipline. Dr. Saksena was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Awards both by the Indian Academy of Health Psychology (IAHP) and the Community Psychology Association of India (CPAI). He was a dedicated scholar, firmly committed to advancing the field as he took on leadership roles.
He was a sectional president of the Indian Science Congress and also the president of the Indian Psychology Association (IPA) in his decades-long career. Along with these achievements, on 26 November 2021, Dr Saksena delivered a special lecture on the occasion of the 6th International Conference of Indian Academy of Health Psychology, ICIAHP – 2021 at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida in which he shared his invaluable insights in the subject. His academic contribution came forth through his fellowship in such esteemed organizations as the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology (IAAP) and the Indian School Psychology Association (InSPA).
Dr Saksena’s life had been nothing but with awards and achievements that were amassed by passion and love for psychology. He was a knowledgeable figure and an eminent thinker in psychology throughout the world. Beyond these awards and titles, Dr Saksena found joy in educating future psychologists and scholars and played a foundational role as a teacher. In this journey, he mentored thousands and possibly shaped the most number of PhD students across his long career.
He did not stop there in academia, as he was also given the title UP Ratan and often attended the Indian Science Congress, as one of the leading researchers in psychology. Dr Saksena despite all these attainments was broad-minded and joyfully accepted life in general. He enjoyed the delight of good food maintained an active research interest and participated in conferences and seminars till the last month of his life. Dr Saksena’s wise words and life lessons will surely stay with those lucky enough to have been taught by him.
In recent years, he was regularly invited by NGOs and colleges to share his knowledge with the working professionals and students of psychology. He was known for holding the positions of former Head of Department and Principal, at PPN College, Kanpur. Even after retirement, he continued to contribute significantly to the field of psychology. He also served as chairperson for many schools throughout the country.
He left behind for all generations a legacy that would never fade. His commitment to the field was best reflected when, even after the death of his beloved wife, he, within 20 hours, went to a conference to deliver his share of experience for advancing psychological knowledge and its practice. This example of Dr. N.K. Saksena’s dedication has become a beacon for future generations of psychologists from India and would inspire scholars to learn from him.
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