<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Former </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/new-south-wales" rel="" target="" title="NSW"><span>NSW</span></a><span> Young Australian of the Year Nikhil Autar has died at the age of 32.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The doctor, cancer survivor and writer achieved numerous feats in his life despite a number of significant challenges.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Autar was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 17 during his HSC year.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-budget-2026-aussie-business-owners-unite-against-pms-tax-reform/161fefc4-6127-4b59-a159-6c688e0c7dda"><strong><span>Aussie business owners unite against PM's 'aspiration ambush'</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He also underwent chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants and open heart surgery.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Despite this, he went on to graduate from medicine at Western Sydney University and was named the NSW Young Australian of the Year for 2024.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Autar also created the phone app Knia (Know In Advance) Maps to improve accessibility for people living with disabilities.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/nikhil-autar-trailblazing-doctor-accessibility-pioneer-and-former-nsw-young-australian-of-the-year-dies-at-the-age-of-32/4f2bf7a8-8bff-4fc3-bf0c-b2526007a7bc" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The app plotted accessibility at major Sydney hospitals, universities, public venues and transport as well as hundreds of small businesses.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He also founded the social enterprise Bheem Health, which provies low-cost medical devices to sick and vulnerable people.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>His first device, called BheemUP, allowed any bed to convert into a hospital bed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/thailand-visa-changes-2026-aussies-impacted-as-travel-rules-for-tourists-tightened/376d0ca8-cdb6-43c8-b1a8-492e1c8bae6f" rel="" target="" title=""><strong><span>Hundreds of thousands stung as tourist hotspot overhauls visa rules</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Another project was a world-first senor mat that tracks sleep phases and minimises pressure sores for patients.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He also raised almost $500,000 for pressure sore and medical device research.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Former Australian of the Year Professor Richard Scolyer and his wife Dr Katie Nicoll are among hundreds of people paying tribute to Autar.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We are deeply saddened following the passing of Nikhil Autar, a remarkable Australian who showed us all the importance of living with compassion, kindness, and a never-ending commitment to helping others," the couple said on social media.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Richard and I had the pleasure of meeting Nikhil and his family at the 2024 NSW Australian of the Year Awards, and then spent a wonderful few days with them in Canberra at the national awards.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Nikhil's determination and courage, coupled with his humility and wonderful sense of humour, shone brightly."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></strong></em><span> 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