Former head of the depar�t�ment of surgical gastroenterology and proctology and clinical professor of surgery, Madras Medical Col�lege, and GGH, Prof Ranga�bashyam was the first to start a separate department for surgical gastroenterology and again the first to start a specialisation in surgical gastroenterology, M.Ch. degree course in India. He who was aged 79 passed away in his sleep on Sunday morning. His last rites were performed the same eve�ning at Besant Nagar crematorium. Prof Ranga�ba�shyam is survived by his wife, son and daughter.