‘A great loss,’ residents mourn Dr Paul’s death

NEW DELHI: For the residents of C block in Jangpura Extension, 63-year-old Dr Yogesh Chandra Paul was a humanitarian like none other, one who helped people selflessly. On Saturday, Paul’s house was brimming with friends, colleagues and neighbours, who mourned his loss.

“Dr Paul was himself old but that never stopped him from helping people. He did not care about his own health,” said the 35-year-old woman, who irons clothes in the area and did not want to be named. She added that Dr Paul also helped people monetarily when he could.

For others, Paul’s services towards society were inspiring. “He was a gem of a person. His loss is not only personal but is also a great loss to the society,” said Disha Sethi, who lives in the same building.

He practised out of a clinic at the nearby Birbal Road, while his wife, Dr Neena, works at a government hospital.

“He started his practise in the area around 2004. He used to treat underprivileged patients for free at the time. Even now, he charged only ₹100 as his consultation fee. He was truly a hero,” said Rajiv Rajpal, who runs a dry cleaning shop next to the clinic.

The Resident Welfare Association president Kapil Kakkar said that Paul was given an award five years ago for being “an outstanding resident”. “He would help people by going to their doorstep,” Kakkar said.

Kakkar also pointed to lack of safety in the area, which is largely inhabited by senior citizens from upper and upper-middle classes. He said over the last few months, there have been multiple cases of theft and burglary. “We have now written to the lieutenant governor seeking an appointment to meet with us. We have listed a few demands we would like to present to him,” he said.

The RWA has planned to hold a protest demanding active policing outside the police chowki on Sunday evening.