Keshav Desiraju Memorial Award 2025
The Centre for Mental Health Law & Policy, ILS, Pune is pleased to announce the ‘Keshav Desiraju Memorial Award for Outstanding Public Service in Mental Health, 2025.
The 4th Keshav Desiraju Memorial Award for Outstanding Public Service in Mental Health, 2025, was announced on 11 May 2025 during a virtual ceremony commemorating Mr Keshav Desiraju’s birth anniversary.
The ceremony was attended by Mr Desiraju’s friends, family and colleagues. The keynote address was delivered by Mrs Rohini Nilekani, Chairperson of Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies and Co-founder and Director of EkStep Foundation. Reflections were shared by Mr Satyajit Ranganathan, Mr Desiraju’s nephew, and Dr Ravi Chellam, CEO of Metastring Foundation, Coordinator of the Biodiversity Collaborative and Professor of Coexistence Studies at the University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, who offered moving anecdotes from their close friendship with Mr Desiraju. The event was moderated by Meera Damji, Program Lead, Media Research & Advocacy, CMHLP, ILS, Pune
Jury Members
RECIPIENT 2025
Darez Ahamed
Dr Ahamed’s passionate advocacy for mental health, combined with system-level reforms and inclusive policy – making,
Citation by the JuryRECIPIENT 2025
Sonam Ongmu Lasopa
As the first Clinical Psychologist in the state, she moved beyond clinical duties to engage in community-based mental health initiatives.
Citation by the JuryHow to Apply
Individuals may nominate themselves or others in their network, if they meet the eligibility criteria, by filling out the form linked below.
Last date to apply:
20 March 2025
For any queries, you may write to us at:
MemorialAward@cmhlp.org
