Founder of Lilavati Hospital Vijay K. Mehta dead

MUMBAI - Philanthropist and linguist with mastery over 12 languages, Vijay K. Mehta, the founder of Mumbai’s prestigious Lilavati Hospital, passed away following a brief illness here Saturday, a family member said.

He was 79 years old and is survived by his wife Sushila, son, and several grandchildren, his son Niket V. Mehta, who is the hospital’s managing trustee, said.

“My father led a life of strenuous labour, dignified self-restraint and dispassionate zeal, leading the fortress of tradition by example, ever being humble, courteous and self-effacing as a friend, loyalty and integrity,” said Niket.

Mehta’s second son Miten, 54-year-old diamond merchant based in Belgium, had committed suicide last year by jumping from the 9th floor apartment of his building in Cuffe Parade, south Mumbai.

Mehta built the landmark Lilavati Hospital & Research Centre in Bandra, through the Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust in the early 1990s.

The funeral was held in a south Mumbai crematorium here late this afternoon.