Distinguished Speakers

Prof. S.K. Chaturvedi

Former Dean, Behavioral Sciences

NIMHANS, Bangalore

Prof. S. K. Chaturvedi is a distinguished Indian psychiatrist and former Dean of Behavioural Sciences at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru. He is the core committee member of the committee constituted by UGC for UGC Uniform Policy for the Mental Health and Wellbeing in HEIs in India. He has served as a Senior Professor of Psychiatry. He is widely recognized for his contributions to consultation-liaison psychiatry, psycho-oncology, palliative care, neuropsychiatry, and the study of culture and mental health. Prof. Chaturvedi has authored hundreds of research papers and several books and has played a major role in postgraduate medical training and mental-health research in India.

Prof. Rajinder K. Dhamija

Director

IHBAS, New Delhi

Prof. Rajinder K. Dhamija is a distinguished neurologist and Director of the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), New Delhi, with over 30 years of experience in Neurology and Public Health. Trained in India and internationally (FRACP, Melbourne), he has made significant contributions, particularly in stroke and movement disorders. He established and led the Neurology Department at Lady Hardinge Medical College and has served as Additional Personal Physician to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. He is also the Chairman of the UGC committee for the Uniform Policy on Mental Health and Wellbeing in HEIs in India. A recipient of prestigious awards including the S. Radhakrishnan Memorial National Medical Teacher Award and the National Award for Science and Technology (2021), he has over 140 publications and holds key international roles, including Chair of Movement Disorders at the World Federation of Neurorehabilitation.

Dr. Lokendra Sharma

Senior Professor

SMS Medical College, Jaipur

Dr. Lokendra Sharma has contributed extensively to the field of pharmacology, particularly in areas such as drug safety, pharmacodynamics, clinical pharmacokinetics, and pharmacovigilance. He has authored or co-authored numerous research papers and academic publications and has also been involved in teaching MBBS students under India's competency-based medical curriculum.

Dr. Jitendra Nagpal

Senior Consultant Psychiatrist

Moolchand Medicity, New Delhi

Dr. Jitendra Nagpal is a distinguished Senior Consultant Psychiatrist and the Head of the Institute of Mental Health and Life Skills Promotion at Moolchand Medcity, New Delhi. He is the core committee member of the committee constituted by UGC for UGC Uniform Policy for the Mental Health and Wellbeing in HEIs in India. With over 25 years of clinical experience, he is a nationally recognized expert in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry, known for his pioneering work in life skills education and school wellness through the Expressions India program. Dr. Nagpal serves as a key advisor to national bodies like the NCPCR and CBSE, and he is a frequent mental health commentator in prominent media outlets such as The Times of India and NDTV.

Dr. Geeta Mehrotra

Senior Advisor (Academics and Training)

Expressions India

Ms. Geeta Mehrotra is a prominent National Resource Faculty in Life Skills, Positive Mental Health, and Wellbeing with Expressions India, a premier national program for wellness. A seasoned educator and counselor, she is widely recognized for her expertise in empowering adolescents and educators through impactful sessions on stress management, coping techniques, and resilience building. As a core member of the Expressions India technical resource group, she frequently collaborates with organizations like the CBSE to conduct regional summits and workshops aimed at fostering emotional and social wellbeing in young learners.

Dr. Yatan Pal Singh Balhara

Professor of Psychiatry

AIIMS, New Delhi

Dr. Yatan Pal Singh Balhara is a distinguished Professor of Psychiatry at the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), AIIMS, New Delhi, where he also serves as the Faculty-in-Charge of the Behavioural Addictions Clinic. A globally recognized expert in addiction psychiatry, dual diagnosis, and digital mental health, he provides technical consultancy to the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNODC, and acts as a Global Master Trainer for the Colombo Plan. Dr. Balhara holds an MD from AIIMS and an International Masters in Mental Health Policy and Services, and he has published over 300 research papers focusing on substance use disorders and the psychological impacts of digital engagement.

Prof. Santanu Misra

Professor

IIT Kanpur

Prof. Santanu Misra is a distinguished Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur. As a former Head of the Institute Counselling Service (ICS), he played a crucial role in overseeing key mental health initiatives, including suicide prevention workshops, de-addiction clinics, and extensive orientation programs for over 3,000 students annually. A renowned structural geologist and recipient of the prestigious DST Swarnajayanti Fellowship and the INSA Young Scientist Award, he also leads the Experimental Rock Deformation Laboratory, a national facility.

Dr. Krithika Chandrasekar

Author of "Have You Heard the Sound of Your Own Voice?"

Krithika Chandrasekar is a celebrated author and mental health advocate best known for her profound debut book, "Have You Heard the Sound of Your Own Voice?" Published in 2022, her work is a deeply personal exploration of self-discovery, healing, and emotional resilience, blending poetry and prose to address the complexities of the human experience. Beyond her writing, Krithika is a passionate mental health educator who frequently collaborates with platforms to conduct workshops on mindfulness and creative expression for students and educators. Her storytelling focuses on the power of vulnerability and introspection, encouraging individuals to reclaim their personal narratives and find solace in their unique journeys.

Dr. P.D. Shankpal

Professor, Department of Pharmacology

T.N. Medical College & B.Y.L. Nair Charitable Hospital, Mumbai

Dr. Pramod D. Shankpal is a distinguished Professor of Pharmacology at T.N. Medical College, Mumbai, with over three decades of teaching experience. He holds an MBBS from Grant Medical College and an MD in Pharmacology from TNMC. Beyond academics, he has served on ethics committees, acted as a subject expert for CDSCO inspections, and led mental health awareness initiatives. His research spans analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents, HIV therapy, and NSAID effects, with numerous publications in respected national and international journals.