Annual Report - Nimhans

Annual Report 

2011-2012 

Executive Summary 

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF 

MENTAL HEALTH AND NEURO SCIENCES 

(DEEMED UNIVERSITY) 

BANGALORE - 560029

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In the depths of the heavens, the moon 

sails shedding splendour that is a 

benediction. Below, on the troubled waters 

of life moves the mind of man, swan-like. 

Near-by is the lotus-heart, passion-laden 

and just blossoming. Hidden in the womb 

of waters lies peace, born of harmony, to 

be realised by one who has subdued 

passion.

From the 

Director’s desk 

National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), an autonomous 

institute and a Deemed University, is a Centre of Excellence in the study of brain, mind 

and behavior. Adopting a multi-disciplinary approach, with its 24 departments 

and sub-specialties, the institute has been relentlessly working to provide 

high standards of comprehensive patient care. With a unique combination 

of service delivery, human resource development and basic and applied 

research, NIMHANS proactively contributes to the development of policies 

and programmes for the nation in mental health and neurological sciences and 

other related areas. NIMHANS has continued its effort to be in the forefront to 

evolve innovative services and community-based strategies for priority health delivery 

and well-trained manpower. In recognition of its multifarious contributions to the 

domain of health and well-being, the institute is on the threshold of being recognized 

as an Institute of National Importance by an Act of Parliament, Government of India. 

We are happy to share the progress, activities and initiatives at NIMHANS during the 

period 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012. The complete Annual Report as a separate 

document is available on our web page, and the Executive Summary of the same is 

presented herewith. 

Dr. P. Satishchandra 

Director/Vice-Chancellor

Vision 

To be pa rt o f Wo r l d Bo d y o f Ex p e rt s o n t h e 

Br o a d Fi e l d o f Ne u r o s c i e n c e a n d 

Sh a p e t h e Positive Me n ta l He a lt h Stat e o f t h e Co u n t ry by t h e 

e n d o f 12 t h Fi v e Ye a r Pl a n. 

 

Establish state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic 

facilities for neurological and psychiatric disorders 

with special reference to communicable and noncommunicable 

diseases relevant to tropical countries 

and genetically transmitted disorders and be the nodal 

centre for the country. 

Mission 

 

Health Programmes in the area of Mental Health and 

Neurosciences. 

Promote child mental and neurological health and thus 

facilitate a future generation to meet the challenges 

proactively. 

 

 

 

Establish training facilities to enhance man power in 

the fields of Psychiatry, Neurology, Neurosurgery, 

Paramedical Specialties, Clinical Psychology, 

Psychiatric Social Work, Neurological and Psychiatric 

Nursing to meet national manpower needs. 

Evolve and fine tune the strategies for disaster 

management and psycho-social rehabilitation of 

victims. 

Evolve guidelines and policy framework for National 

 

 

 

Promote interdisciplinary research to facilitate 

translational research in neurological and psychiatric 

disorders. 

Create state-of-the-art scientific infrastructure and 

Bio-Banking to promote research in neurobiology. 

Promote mental health literacy and reduce the stigma 

attached to mental illness by attempting to take the 

delivery system to the primary health care, honouring 

human rights and dignity.

Objectives of the Institute 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To evolve innovative strategies to offer diagnostic and comprehensive therapeutic service 

facilities to reach all corners of India in the field of Mental Health and Neurosciences, 

utilizing the advances in information technology and be the nodal centre. 

To attain self sufficiency in manpower development to meet the country’s needs for specialists, 

teachers, service providers at various levels, including technicians and others through 

undergraduate and postgraduate education and training programmes in the field of mental 

health and neurosciences and all allied sciences. 

To develop and establish new and cohesive patterns of teaching and training and to impart 

knowledge in the field of mental health and neurosciences to all parts of India and to all the 

developing countries through institutional distance learning. 

To make an indepth study and research to understand and integrate physical, physiological, 

psycho-social, behavioral and metaphysical aspects of functioning of the brain and mind. 

To be the nodal centre for the country in research and development in the field of genetically 

transmitted neuro-psychiatric disorders and vaccinology of tropical infectious diseases. 

To be at par with world leadership in the field of neurosciences and behavioral sciences.

Patient Care 

25000 

REGISTRATIONS 

PSYCHIATRY CHILD PSYCHIATRY NEUROLOGY NEUROSURGERY 

FOLLOW-UPS 


14000 

NO. OF PATIENTS 

20000 

15000 

10000 


12000 

10000 

8000 

6000 

5000 

4000 

2000 

0 

06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 

YEARS 

11-12 

0 

06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 

YEARS 

EMERGENCIES (CASUALTY) 

PSYCHIATRY NEUROLOGY NEUROSURGERY 


18000 

16000 

14000 

12000 

10000 

8000 

6000 

4000 

2000 

0 

06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 

YEARS 

11-12 

ADMISSIONS 


6000 

5000 

EXTENSION SERVICES 

GUNJUR GOWRIBIDANUR MADDUR 

KANAKAPURA MADHUGIRI SAKALAWARA TURUVEKERE 

12000 

10000 


4000 

3000 

2000 

NO. OF PEOPLE 

8000 

6000 

4000 

1000 

2000 

0 

06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 

YEARS 

11-12 

0 

06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 

YEARS 

11-12

Executive Summary 2011-12 

1.0 PATIENT CARE SERVICES 

NIMHANS hospital makes available comprehensive patient 

care services in Psychiatry, Neurology, Neurosurgery and 

related fields. The institute renders yeoman services to patients 

from all over the country as well as developing Asian, Arabic 

and African nations, particularly to the needy and underprivileged. 

Apart from outpatient and inpatient services in all 

the specialities of mental health and neurological disorders, a 

comprehensive neuro-rehabilitation is provided to facilitate 

integration of patients into their families and society at large. 

During the year 2011-12, more than 4.5 lakh patients received 

medical care at NIMHANS. 

Neurochemistry–2, Neurovirology–2, Psychiatry–2), 146 

candidates were declared qualified to receive degrees in various 

specialities: 8 DM (Neurology), 6 MCh (Neurosurgery), 2 DM 

(Neuroradiology), 23 MD/Diploma (Psychiatry), 42 MPhil, 9 

MSc, 28 BSc Degrees and 20 Diploma in Nursing). In addition, 

5,101 trainees of Medicine, Psychiatry, Paediatrics, Surgery and 

allied specialties enriched their clinical acumen by participating 

in patient care services and receiving training. 

Apart from initiating the two-year Diploma in Clinical 

Neurophysiology Technology (DCNT) course, the DM 

neurology seats have been enhanced from 6 to 10 during this 

academic year. 

Screening 99,042 

Registrations 52,141 

Follow-ups 2,11,463 

Admissions 13,740 

Discharges 12,587 

Deaths 724 

Emergencies 30,322 

Extension services* 31,313 

Total 4,51,362 

* = Gunjur – 2,546; Gouribidnur – 6,661; Maddur – 3,719; 

Kanakapura – 3,021; Madhugiri – 2,898; Sakalawara – 

10,674; Turuvekere – 1,794 

NIMHANS has been recognised as the nodal centre in India for 

psychosocial support in disaster management by the Ministry 

of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. The 

team from NIMHANS actively participated in the delivery of 

psychological first aid after the Sikkim earthquake and also 

networked with national and international agencies to provide 

psycho-social care after the Tsunami in Japan. 

2.0 HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT 

2.1 Academic programmes 

During the year, apart from 48 students enrolled for the PhD 

course, 202 students joined various post graduate degree/ 

diploma and undergraduate courses. As on 31 March 2012, 

147 students are pursuing PhD in NIMHANS and 8 have 

completed Post-Doctoral Fellowship (4 in Neuroanaesthesia, 

2 in Neuropathology, 2 in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry). 

Thirty students completed PhD (Psychiatric Social Work–6, 

Clinical Psychology–7, Neurophysiology–6, Biophysics–3, 

Biostatistics–1, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry–1, 

Sl. No. Particulars Total 

1. Postgraduate degree / diploma and 

undergraduate courses: 

(a) Joined the institute during the year 202 

2011-12 

(b) Completed respective courses and 147 

declared qualified during the year 

2011 -12 

2. PhD completed 30 

3. Post-Doctoral Fellows trained 8 

2.2 Capacity building and strengthening human 

resource development 

Faculty and staff from NIMHANS routinely participate and 

conduct continuing professional education programmes, 

actively taking part in international/national/regional/ 

scientific deliberations. In addition, they also conduct shortterm 

training programmes and teaching-learning sessions. 

During the year 2011-2012, NIMHANS hosted International 

Fogarty Symposium in association with University of 

Florida, USA, the 60 th Annual Conference of Neurological 

Society of India and Joint Scientific Meeting with 

“Societa Italiana di Neurochirurgia”, 30 th National 

Annual Conference of Indian Society of Professional 

Social Work, National Consultation on Ayurvedic 

Dietetics and the 3 rd Regional Meeting of National 

Mental Health Programme, and actively participated 

in the International Congress on Neuroanaesthesia. 

The first National Conference on Neuropsychology 

and Cognitive Neuroscience, first IAN Postgraduate 

Summer Course in Neurology 2012 and DST sponsored 

5 th National SERC School in Neuroscience on Learning 

and Memory were conducted at NIMHANS. Faculty 

National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences 

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members of NIMHANS served as resource persons for the 

International Workshop on Psycho-Social First Aid for Sendai 

Earthquake Survivors and contributed to enhancing the life 

skills approach by conducting workshops in collaboration with 

international NGOs. Under the National Rural Health Mission, 

as a Manpower Development Centre, NIMHANS trained blood 

bank officers and technical staff from various blood storage 

centres in Karnataka. The INDO-US Fogarty training program 

on chronic non-communicable disorders is another major 

collaborative programme. 

During the year, more than 5,000 students from 246 institutions 

(186 from South India, 27 rest of India and 3 institutions outside 

the country) underwent short-term training in various clinical 

and paraclinical branches and behavioral sciences. 

3.0 RESEARCH 

NIMHANS continued to contribute significantly towards basic, 

applied and clinical research. The total budget for 115 ongoing 

and newly sanctioned projects was Rs. 47.6 crore and the annual 

research project budget exceeded Rs.16 crore. The comparison 

over the past few years is shown in the figure below: 

(Proteonomics, Neural plasticity, Health economics, Non-linear 

Models / Networks, Bio-photonics). 

The institute takes pride in the development of indigenous 

critical care ventilator and micro-sensor for Intracranial 

pressure monitoring. During the year it has successfully 

developed the DNA micro-chips for simultaneous detection of 

pathogens causing acute encephalitis syndrome, septicaemia 

and anti-biotic resistance and extensive field trials are being 

planned. Hallmark achievements during the year include 

setting up of Translational Research Psychiatry Laboratory 

at NIMHANS, the Institute being sanctioned two Centres of 

Excellence in Research by the Department of Biotechnology 

(DBT) and initiating a unique endeavour to document the 

Development of Mental Health Concerns in India (‘Turning the 

pages: the history of psychiatry in India’). 

Several of the research initiatives at NIMHANS have been 

inter-institutional and multi-disciplinary. Investigators have 

undertaken prestigious projects which include ‘Generativity in 

cognitive and neural networks’, ‘Language and Brain organization 

in normative multilingualism’, ‘Task force –IMD newborn 

screening for congenital hypothyroidism and congenital 

adrenal hyperplasia’, ‘Multi-Institutional-Network Programme 

in Molecular Neuro-oncology’, ‘Role of CNS opportunistic 

infections in subsequent development of HIV encephalitis’, 

‘Establishment of high-throughput, mass spectrometry-based 

screening for lysosomal storage disorders’, ‘Establishment of 

skin biopsy technique for evaluation of peripheral neuropathies’, 

‘Finding genes that determine alcoholism risk in Indian 

population’, ‘Effect of genotype on brain structure and function 

in schizophrenia’, ‘Code switching in multilingualism under the 

CSI of the DST to investigate language and brain organization 

in normative multilingualism’. 

The number of research projects and the funding received 

The thrust areas of research are: a) unraveling the molecular 

and sub-cellular mechanisms for disease process, b) linking 

clinical status with structural, biochemical, immunological 

and serological abnormalities searching for biomarkers, c) 

exploring genetic basis for disease causation, d) developing 

prognostic and clinical predictors and diagnostic inventory/ 

checklists. The other areas of in-depth study include, exploring 

the efficacy of traditional systems of medicine (Yoga, Ayurveda) 

and herbal preparations (Nootropics), empowering the family 

and relatives for enhancing the care (psycho-social care, care 

giver training, enhancing psycho-social competency, etc.) 

and pursuing the emerging inter-disciplinary research areas 

The learning from community-based projects has successfully 

influenced health policies and programmes at the state and 

national levels. These projects include ‘Bangalore road 

safety and injury surveillance programme’, ‘Understanding 

stigma, gender and health consequences’, ‘Developing and 

validating psychiatric morbidity instruments’, ‘Development 

of a district model for injury prevention and control’, ‘The 

Burden attributable to headache disorders in the general 

population of India’, ‘Incidence and determinants of metabolic 

complications of antipsychotics in community - dwelling 

schizophrenia patients in India’, ‘Treating the untreated 

psychosis in rural community: variation in the experience of 

patient care (TURUVECARE)’, ‘Patterns and consequences 

of alcohol misuse in India – A five-region study’, ‘Dindigul 

2 National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences


district comprehensive mental health programme for children 

with developmental disorders’, ‘Implementation of pharmacovigilance 

programme for Ayurveda’. 

The different projects undertaken by NIMHANS have been 

funded by both national and international agencies. While 

international agencies (World Health Organisation, John 

Hopkins University, Welcome Trust, National Institutes of 

Health, etc) have funded 14 projects, majority of the projects 

(78/115) were supported by national bodies. Department of 

Science and Technology and Department of Bio-technology 

supported 25 and 23 projects respectively while Indian Council 

of Medical Research and Council of Scientific and Industrial 

Research funded 10 projects each. 

During the year under review, a total of 626 scientific 

communications were published (269 in International journals, 

183 in National journals, 174 monographs, chapters in books, 

manuals, etc.). A total of 603 scientific papers were presented 

in international (112) and national scientific forums (491). 

ii. 

and offering services which include (i) stress 

management among professionals, college students, 

homemakers, families with young children, (ii) 

prevention and early treatment of smoking and 

other forms of tobacco use, (iii) prevention and 

advice regarding alcohol related concerns, (iv) 

mental and behavioural health for persons with 

medical illnesses like diabetes and cardiac problems, 

(v) marital enrichment services for couples, (vi) 

premarital counseling, (vii) healthy parenting, 

etc. Training and workshops on preventive mental 

health for school and college teachers are conducted 

to enhance life skills counseling and peer support 

system. Training for medical professionals on 

community mental health is provided. NCWB is 

open from 9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. on all working 

days. 

The Department of Clinical Psychology launched 

YOUTH – PRO, an initiative to empower college 

youth for promotion of mental health in the 

community and ‘de-stigmatizing the professional 

help seeking’ for mental health issues, especially 

amongst the youth. 

iii. 

For the first time in the country, NIMHANS has 

started the super-specialty DM course in Child and 

Adolescent Psychiatry. 

iv. Neurovirology laboratory has obtained the 

NABL accreditation, and all other diagnostic 

laboratories are working actively for similar NABL 

accreditation. 

Research publications from NIMHANS faculty and students 

4.0 NEW INITIATIVES - NEW FACILITIES – 

PUBLIC EDUCATION 

1. New Initiatives 

i. NIMHANS Centre for Well-Being (NCWB): 

NIMHANS started Centre for Well-Being at BTM 

Layout, in the city of Bangalore, on 10 th October 

2011 with an aim to provide promotive and 

preventive services in the area of Mental 

Health to the public. NCWB is aimed at shifting 

focus from mental illness to positive mental health 

NABL Awareness Programme 

v. Postdoctoral fellowship (PDF) courses have been 

initiated in epilepsy, movement disorders and 

neuroinfections to enhance trained manpower. 


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2. Prof. PN Tandon, former Director, AIIMS and President 

National Brain Research Centre, New Delhi inaugurated 

the Human Sleep Research Laboratory in the Department 

of Neurophysiology on 14 th December 2011. 

Shri.R Ashoka, Hon’ble Minister for Transport and 

Home Affairs, Government of Karnataka, on 17 

November 2011. 

Prof. PN Tandon, former Director, AIIMS and President, National Brain Research 

Centre, New Delhi, unveiling a plaque to mark the inauguration of Human Sleep 

Research Laboratory 

Shri. R. Ashoka, Hon’ble Minister for Transport and Home Affairs, and Shri. 

Suresh Kumaar, Hon’ble Minister for Urban development, flagging off inter-hospital 

shuttle service from NIMHANS. Dr. V. Ravi, Registrar, NIMHANS, looks on 

3. DNA –Microchip-based diagnostic technique for multiviral 

infections of the central nervous system (developed 

by public, private partnership) is being commercialized 

soon. 

ii. 

The new Neurosurgery OPD was inaugurated by 

Dr. R M Varma, former Director, NIMHANS on 7 


4. Telemedicine consultation in Neurosurgery to peripheral 

Government hospitals of Karnataka has been started. 

The facility has been initiated with video conferencing 

link through open source service providers. The facility is 

now upgraded to a satellite-based system provided, free 

of cost, by ISRO to link all the primary and district level 

health centres across Karnataka. 

5. The Department of Mental Health Education now has 

a state-of-the-art video studio with special lighting 

equipment (cool lights) and editing facility. 

6. The Department of Nursing has developed exhaustive 

SOPs (45 SOPs for Psychiatric nursing and 71 SOPs for 

Neuro-nursing) and procedures for Nursing Audits. 

7. New / Enhanced Services for Patients at 

NIMHANS 

i. At the request of NIMHANS, BMTC started ‘Arogya 

Sarige’, an inter-hospital ‘Shuttle Bus Service’ for 

patients and their relatives. The service was flagged 

off from NIMHANS by Shri. Suresh Kumar, Hon’ble 

Minister for Urban development in the presence of 

Inauguration of the new Neurosurgery OPD by Dr R M Varma, former Director, 

NIMHANS 

iii. 

A unique Emergency and Acute Care Psychiatry 

(EPAC) service has been initiated to facilitate more 

efficient and effective delivery of mental health 

services in the short stay ward at NIMHANS. In 

addition to providing clinical services, the EPAC 

team has developed several SOPs related to 

emergency situations and other routine practices in 

Psychiatry and thus ensured that 97% of the patients 

are attended to within half an hour of arrival to the 

hospital. 



iv. 

Shri. SA Ramdas, Hon’ble Minister of Medical 

Education and Vice-President, NIMHANS Society 

inaugurated the additional 1.5 T MRI facility on 10 th 

October 2011. 

xi. 

An automated Immunostainer has been acquired 

by the Department of Neuropathology for rapid 

Immuno histochemical staining to provide timely 

and quality diagnostic services. 

8. Public Education 

Inauguration of advanced MRI facility by Shri. SA Ramdas, Hon’ble Minister for 

Medical Education 

i. NIMHANS participated in the 31 st India International 

Trade Fair (IITF) and put up a stall in the Union 

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Pavilion at 

the mega expo held in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi 

from 14 th to 27 th Nov 2011. Shri. Ghulam Nabi 

Azad, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, 

inaugurated the Health Pavilion and visited the 

NIMHANS stall. The stall received numerous 

footfalls during the first three days of the fair. 

v. The number of beds in the casualty has been 

increased (14 beds) to enhance timely patient 

care. 

vi. Genetic counseling and testing clinic for 

neuromuscular disorders has been started in the 

OPD adjacent to Neurology OPD. 

vii. The Clinical Electro Physiology Laboratory 

at Neuro Centre has been expanded, with 

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), and 

Electroneuromyography (ENMG) machines. 

viii. Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology has 

developed the clinical facility for hearing aid fitment 

and disbursement. 

ix. Advanced hand functions training through 

multimedia interface, mirror therapy, group 

interactive therapy and hand writing evaluation 

have been started in the Occupational Therapy 

Centre. 

Shri. Ghulam Nabi Azad visiting NIMHANS stall after inaugurating the Health 

Pavilion at IITF 2011. 

ii. 

NIMHANS was a key participant in the Road 

Safety Week 2012 celebrations at Bangalore and 

disseminated information to the general public on 

use of helmets and seat belts, pedestrian safety, 

cell phone use, emergency trauma care, impact of 

alcohol and drunken driving, speeding, child safety 

while driving, visibility on the roads, lane discipline 

and road safety. 

x. The Department of Microbiology has installed 

VITEK 2 Compact 60 for identification and 

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing for Gram 

Positive and Gram Negative bacteria and MGIT 

(Mycobacterial Growth Indicator Tube)-320 for 

automated detection of Mycobacteria in CSF 

samples within 10 days, thus facilitating early 

detection of tuberculous infection. 

iii. 

NIMHANS participated in the National Epilepsy 

Day 2011, 19-20 November 2011.This was organized 

by Indian Epilepsy Association, Bangalore Chapter, 

at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, 

Jayanagar, Bangalore. On this occasion, NIMHANS 

organized an exhibition for schoolchildren regarding 

epilepsy care and focused on preventing head injury 

an important preventable cause of epilepsy. 


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2) Dr. Shankaranarayana Rao BS, Additional Professor, 

received the prestigious Sir. CV Raman Young 

Scientist Award from the Karnataka State Council 

for Science and Technology (KSCST), Government 

of Karnataka, in recognition of his outstanding 

contributions to the field of Medical Sciences, 

January 2012. 

Road Safety Week 2012 celebrations. Schoolchildren drive home the message 

of road safety. 

9. Facilities to NIMHANS Staff/Students 

i. Health facility under the NIMHANS Health 

Scheme is now made available to faculty and staff 

residing outside Bangalore, after superannuation 

from NIMHANS by extending the geographic 

health coverage as per CGHS rules, Government of 

India. 

Dr. Shankaranarayan Rao BS, Additional Professor, being honoured with the 

prestigious Sir. CV Raman Award 

ii. 

iii. 

Preventive Health Check-up for NIMHANS 

Staff: To look after the health needs of staff and 

faculty of NIMHANS, Annual Preventive Health 

Check-up has been introduced, from September 

2011. This includes detailed cardiac evaluation by 

experts at Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology and 

Research Centre, Bangalore. This complements 

NIMHANS Health Scheme and other services 

provided to the staff. 

The new playground of NIMHANS Gymkhana 

was inaugurated on 27 November 2011 to promote 

physical and mental health of the students and 

staff. 

3) Dr. Prabha S Chandra, Professor, was awarded 

Best Essay Prize of £5000 by Research Council UK 

at a National Competition. RCUK India initiated 

an essay competition on the topic of measuring 

research quality in India. The winning entry: ‘Are 

citations really the best measure of research quality 

in India– or should we look at more meaningful 

ways of measurement?’ 

4) Dr. Jagadisha Thirthalli, Additional Professor, 

was awarded Lilly Young Investigator Fellowship 

in Bipolar Disorders, 9 th International Society 

of Bipolar Disorders Conference, Pittsburgh, 

Pennsylvania, USA, June 2011 

5.1 AWARDS 

5.0 RECOGNITION FOR NIMHANS 

CONTRIBUTIONS 

5) Dr. G Venkatasubramanian, Associate Professor, 

received Senior Innovative Young Biotechnologist 

Award 2011, Department of Biotechnology, 

Government of India 

1) Smt. D Padmavathy, Staff Nurse, received the 

prestigious National Florence Nightingale Award, 

for the year 2012, from Hon’ble President of India 

Smt. Pratibha Patil for meritorious service in 

nursing. 

6) Dr. Muralidharan K, Associate Professor, received 

Asian Young Psychiatrist Award – by the Asian 

Federation of Psychiatry Associations – at the 3 rd 

World Conference of Asian Psychiatry, Melbourne, 

Australia, July 31 – August 4, 2011. 



7) Dr. Bhavani Shankara Bagepally, Phd Scholar, 

received Junior Faculty Award, 10 th International 

Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease and 

Parkinson’s disease 2011, Barcelona, Spain, 9-13 

March 2011. 

5.2 ORATIONS 

1) Prof. P Satish Chandra, Director/Vice-Chancellor, 

Professor of Neurology, delivered (a) IMA KSB 

Prof. Dr.SV Govind Shetty Oration, during 77 th 

IMA MEDICON 2011, KIMS, Hubli, October 2011 

(b) Prof. KS Endowment Oration, ‘Progressive 

Myoclonic Epilepsy: Indian perspectives’, Yercaud, 

December 2011 (c) AD Sehgal Oration, ‘Progressive 

Myoclonic Epilepsy: Bench to Bedside’, 13 th Annual 

Conference of Indian Epilepsy Association. 

2) Dr. V Ravi, Registrar and Professor of 

Neurovirology, delivered (a) The Presidential 

Oration, ‘Neurovirology—the emergence of a 

new superspeciality’, 35 th Annual Congress of 

Indian Association of Medical Microbiologists, 

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 22-26 November 2011 

(b) Late Bikram Dash Oration, ‘The changing 

profile of acute encephalitis syndrome in India’, 

Odisha State Chapter of IAMM, Annual Meeting, 

Bhubaneshwar, 14 August 2011. 

3) Dr. SK Shankar, Senior Professor of 

Neuropathology delivered (a) Dr. BK Anand 

Oration 2010-2011, ‘Human Brain Bank in India: 

Is it a National priority to promote neuroscience?’, 

51 st Annual Conference of National Academy of 

Medical Sciences -2011, Bhuvaneshwar, Odisha, 

14-16 October 2011 (b) Dr. Krishna M. Bhargava 

Memorial Oration, ‘Reviving autopsy service as a 

science – implications in present day pathology 

practice’, 1 st CME in Pathology - The Academy of 

Pathology Training, Bowring and Lady Curzon 

Hospital Campus, Bangalore, 30 October 2011. 

5) Dr. TR Raju, Professor of Neurophysiology 

delivered The Major Gen S L Bhatia Oration 

of APPI 2011, AIIMS. New Delhi, 17 December 

2011. 

6) Dr. SK Chaturvedi, Professor of Psychiatry, 

delivered Dr. DLN Murthy Rao Oration for senior 

psychiatrists, Annual National Conference, 

Indian Psychiatric Society, Cochin, 20 January 

2012. 

7) Dr. Vani Santosh, Professor and Head of 

Neuropathology, delivered Dr. M Parthasarathy 

and Dr. AV Ramprasad Oration, ‘Current concepts 

in the pathology and genetics of gliomas’, 

34 th National Annual CME and PG Course in 

Pathology KLE University2011, Belgaum,1 June 

2011. 

8) Dr. Ahalya Raguram, Professor of Clinical 

Psychology delivered H N Murthy Oration, 38 th 

National Annual Conference, Indian Association 

of Clinical Psychologists, Pune, Maharashtra, 27- 

29 January 2012. 

9) Dr. Suman LN, Additional Professor Clinical 

Psychology, delivered the ‘Psycho Oration’, 

38 th National Annual Conference of the Indian 

Association of Clinical Psychologists, Pune, 

Maharashtra, 27-29 January2012. 

10) Dr. G Venkatasubramanian, Associate Professor 

of Psychiatry delivered Professor M. Vaidyalingam 

Memorial Oration 2012, ‘Schizophrenia as a 

metabolic brain disorder: A clinician’s perspective’, 

Chennai, January 2012. 

5.2 PATENTS 

NIMHANS faculty members have filed Indian patents 

for the following: 

4) Dr. Shoba Srinath, Dean, Behavioural Sciences 

and Professor and Head of Child and Adolescent 

Psychiatry, delivered 2 nd Dr. H.S. Subramanyam 

Oration, ‘Unmet mental health needs of children 

and adolescents’, St. John’s Medical College, 4 


a) Kumaravel Somasundaram, Alangar Sathyaranjandas 

Hegde, Sridevi Hegde, Paturu Kondaiah, Vani Santosh 

and Manchanahalli Rangaswamy Satyanarayana Rao: 

Secreted and plasma membrane associated 

biomarkers for the diagnosis of higher - and 

lower-grade astrocytoma . 


7


b) Kumaravel Somasundaram, A Arivazhagan, Neelima 

Mondal, AS Hegde, BA Chandramouli, Vani Santosh, 

MRS Rao, P Kondaiah: Temozolomide is a DNA 

toposiomerase II alpha inhibitor implications in 

prognosis of glioblastoma patients. 

3. Shri. Napoleon, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry for 

Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, 

visited the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Division, on 4 June 

2011. 

c) Kumaravel Somasundaram, AM Soumya and Vani 

Santosh: Micro RNAs (miRNA) as biomarkers 

for diagnosing different grades of gliomas and 

pathways of glioma progression. 

The Department of Neurovirology successfully evaluated a 

new innovative chemical, Dendrimer (PETIM) for delivery of 

genes into cells and will submit for international patent jointly 

with Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. 

6.0 VISITORS TO NIMHANS 

Various government officials, experts and policy planners in 

the field of mental health and neurological sciences visited 

NIMHANS and shared their knowledge and enriching 

experiences with the faculty and staff of the Institute. 

1. Shri. Gandhiselvan, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry 

of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, 

visited the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Division. 

2. Shri. KB Krishnamurthy, ex-MP and Member, National 

Commission for Safai Karamacharis, visited NIMHANS 

on 28 April 2011. 

Shri. Nepoleon, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Social Justice and 

Empowerment, being welcomed by Dr. P. Satish Chandra, Director/Vice- 

Chancellor, NIMHANS. 

4. Shri. Keshav Desiraju, Additional Secretary, Ministry of 

Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, visited 

the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Division. 

5. Shri. Chandramouli, Principal Secretary, Ministry of 

Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, visited 

NIMHANS on 14 July 2011. He inaugurated the new 

Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) facility in the 

Department of Neuro Imaging and Interventional 

Radiology. 

Shri. KB Krishnamurthy, ex-MP and Member, National Commission for Safai 

Karamacharis with Dr. P Satish Chandra, Director/Vice-Chancellor, NIMHANS and 

Dr. V Ravi, Registrar, NIMHANS during his visit. 

Shri. Chandramouli, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family 

Welfare, and Dr. P. Satish Chandra, Director/Vice-Chancellor, NIMHANS, at the 

inauguration of Digital Substraction Angiography (DSA) Unit. 



6. Shri. Anil Kumar, Secretary, Department of Ayurveda, 

Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Sidda and Homeopathy, 

visited NIMHANS on 29July 2011. 

7. Dr. Sathyanarayanan V Puthanvettil, Assistant Professor, 

Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research 

Institute, Florida, USA, visited the Department of 

Neurophysiology and spoke on ‘Molecular mechanisms 

of initiation and persistence of memory storage’, 20 

April 2011. 

8. Dr. Aurobrata Ghosh, Post-doctoral fellow, INRIA, 

Sophia Antipolis Mediterranee, France, visited the 

Department of Psychiatry and spoke on ‘Higher order 

models in diffusion MRI and applications’, 20 April 

2011. 

9. Prof. Peter Goadsby, Professor of Neurology, Director, 

Headache Centre, University of California, USA, visited 

the Department of Neurology and spoke on ‘Neurobiology 

of migraine and cluster headaches – What is new?’, 23 

April 2011. 

10. Mr. George Sebastian, Sebastian and Associates, Toronto 

Ontario, Canada, visited the Department of Psychiatric 

Social Work and had an interactive session with MPhil 

and PhD Scholars of PSW, 8 May 2011. 

11. Dr. Nagarjuna and Dr. Arunan, Homi Bhabha Center 

for Science Education, TIFR, visited the Department of 

Neurophysiology and spoke on ‘DST- SERC Cognitive 

Science Initiative and developing educational modules 

based on simple, cost-effective model systems in 

Cognitive Neurosciences for undergraduate and post 

graduate education’, May 2011. 

12. Prof. V Mohan Kumar, Emeritus Professor, Sri Chitra 

Tirunal Institute of Medical Science and Technology, 

Trivandrum, Kerala, visited the Department of Neurology 

and spoke on ‘Sleep analysis’, 9 June 2011. 

13. Mr. Thaddeus Alfonso, Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 

Chennai, visited the Department of Psychiatric Social 

Work and spoke on ‘Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for 

Social Workers’, 14 June 2011. 

14. Dr. Shashank Dravid, Assistant Professor, Creighton 

University, Department of Pharmacology, California 

USA, visited the Department of Neurophysiology, and 

spoke on ‘Orphan glutamate delta-I receptor: Potential 

role in the central nervous system and mental disorders’, 

17 June 2011. 

15. Dr. Socolosky Mariano, Buenos Aires, Argentina, visited 

the Department of Neurosurgery and spoke on ‘Why 

neurosurgeons should do peripheral nerve surgeries?’, 

18 June 2011. 

16. Dr. David Joseph Titus, Department of Neurological 

Surgery, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Lois 

Pope LIFE Center, University of Miami, Miller 

School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA, visited 

the Department of Neurophysiology, and delivered 

a lecture on ‘Central pattern generators: Modulation 

of locomotor circuitry by interneurons in the spinal 

cord’, 21 June 2011. 

17. Dr. S Rajaram, International Psychosocial Consultant, 

UNICEF Boston University, Afghanistan, visited the 

Department of Psychiatric Social Work and conducted 

workshop on “Guts on the table” for MPhil students of 

PSW’, 26 June 2011. 

18. Dr. China Mills, Doctoral Scholar, Manchester 

Metropolitan University, UK, visited the Department of 

Clinical Psychology and spoke on ‘Silencing the voices in 

your head? Alternative understanding of hearing voices’, 

6 August 2011. 

19. Dr. Jalesh Paniker, Consultant Neurologist, National 

Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery; Honorary Sr. 

Lecturer, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, visited the 

Department of Neurology, and spoke on ‘Uro-Neurology: 

An emerging neurological subspecialty’, 11 August 2011. 

20. Dr. GG Prabhu, former Professor of Clinical Psychology, 

NIMHANS, Bangalore, visited the Department of 

Clinical Psychology and spoke on ‘Clinical Psychology in 

India: Past, present and future’, 18 August 2011. 

21. Dr. Anup Kumar Dhar, Associate Professor, School 

of Human Studies, Ambedkar University, New Delhi, 

visited the Department of Clinical Psychology and spoke 

on ‘Psychology as Human Science’, 24 August 2011. 

22. Prof. Niko Moshe, President, International League 

Against Epilepsy (ILAE), Albert Einstein College of 

Medicine, New York, USA, visited the Department of 


9


Neurology, and spoke on ‘Infantile Spasms: Translating 

to a Cure’, 20 September 2011. 

Department of Psychiatry and lectured on ‘Advances in 

MR Neuroimaging’, 14 December 2011. 

29. Dr. Raj Midha, Calgary, Canada and Dr. Debora Gorozzo, 

Italy, visited the Department of Neurosurgery, and 

spoke on ‘Biology of Peripheral Nerve re-generation and 

advances in Nerve repair’, 18 December 2011. 

Prof. Niko Moshe, President, International League against Epilepsy (ILAE), 

Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA, receiving a memento from 

Dr. P. Satish Chandra, Director/Vice-Chancellor, NIMHANS. 

23. Dr. PSVN Sharma, Professor and Head, Department of 

Psychiatry, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, India, 

visited the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Division and spoke 

on ‘Psychiatric Rehabilitation’, September 2011. 

24. Dr. Rajeev J, Director of Psychiatry, and Senior Lecturer 

(conjoint), University of New South Wales, Sydney, 

Australia, visited the Department of Child and Adolescent 

Psychiatry and spoke on ‘Risk Management’, 5 October 

2011. 

30. Dr. Lakshmi Vijayakumar, Founder SNEHA, Chennai; 

Head of Psychiatry, Voluntary Health Services, Chennai; 

Associate Prof, Melbourne University, visited the 

Department of Psychiatry and delivered a lecture on 

‘Suicide intervention training and applied prevention’, 

19 December 2011. 

31. Dr. Rekha J Pillai, Post-Doctoral Fellow, School 

of Medicine, USA, visited the Department of 

Neurophysiology and spoke on ‘Hypoxia-induced cellular 

mechanisms of brain susceptibility to excitotoxic injury’, 

23 December 2011. 

32. Prof. Nakasato, Senior Neurosurgeon and Head Epilepsy 

Program, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan, visited 

the Department of Neurology and spoke on ‘Clinical 

applications of MEG: Current practice and future 

directions’, 23 December 2011. 

25. Dr. Chathapuram Ramanathan, US Fulbright-Nehru 

Visiting Lecturer, visited the Department of Psychiatric 

Social Work and spoke on ‘Partnering with youth to 

promote and sustain peace’, and conducted workshop 

on ‘Professional development of a reflective practitioner 

for MPhil trainees of PSW’, October 2011. 

26. Dr. Bernadine Pinto, Professor of Psychiatry, Brown 

University, USA, visited the Department of Psychiatry 

and spoke on ‘Promotion of exercise in mental health 

settings’, 26 November 2011. 

27. Dr. Timothy Steiner, Lifting the burden: Global 

Campaign against Headache disorders, Imperial College, 

London visited the Department of Epidemiology and 

spoke on ‘Headache burden: methodological constraints 

in epidemiological studies’ on 8 December 2011. 

28. Dr. Thomas Foo, PhD, Chief Scientist, Diagnostic and 

Biomedical Technologies, Global Research visited the 

Prof. Nakasato, Senior Neurosurgeon and Head Epilepsy Program, Tohoku 

University, Sendai, Japan. 

33. Dr. Satbir Khalsa, Assistant Professor, Department of 

Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA, visited 

the Department of Neurophysiology, and spoke on 

‘Yoga-Psychology and Psychiatry’, 24 December2011. 

34. Dr. Basavraj G. Sanganhalli, Associate Scientist, 

Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University, 

CT, USA, visited the Department of Biophysics and 



spoke on ‘Energetics of neuronal signaling by fMRI and 

electrophysiology’, 26 December 2011. 

35. Prof. Valsa Eapen, Chair, Infant, Child and Adolescent 

Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 

Australia, visited the Department of Child and Adolescent 

Psychiatry, and spoke on ‘What the future holds for Child 

and Adolescent Psychiatry’, 28 December2011. 

36. Prof. Philip Graham, Emeritus Professor of Child 

Psychiatry, Institute of Child Health, London, England, 

visited the Department of Child and Adolescent 

Psychiatry, and spoke on ‘History of Child and Adolescent 

Psychiatry’, 28 December 2011. 

37. Dr. Mohan Isaac, Professor of Psychiatry, Fremantle, 

Western Australia, visited the Department of Psychiatry, 

and spoke on ‘Seven Nuggets in Community Psychiatry 

– lecture series’, 2-7 January 2012. 

38. Dr. K Leela, Professor and Head of Sanskrit and Siddhanta 

Sushrutha Ayurvedic Medical College, Bangalore, visited 

the Department of Clinical Psychology, and spoke in 

‘Indian Psychology’ Series, 16-29 January 2012. 

39. Prof. MK Thakur, Co-ordinator, Centre for Brain 

Research, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India, 

visited the Department of Neurophysiology, and spoke 

on ‘Estrogen signaling during brain aging’, 31 January 

2011. 

40. Team consisting of Prof. Linda Cottler, Dean’s Professor 

and Chair of Epidemiology, Prof Michael Perri, Dean, 

Prof. Marian Limacher, Professor of Cardiology, 

and Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and 

Professional Development, College of Medicine and 

College of Public Health and Health Professions; Prof. 

Rajiv Tandon, Professor of Psychiatry, Prof. Timothy 

Flynn, Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, and 

Chief Medical Officer for Shands-UF from University of 

Florida visited the Department of Psychiatry, and had 

scientific discussions, 12-16 February 2012. 

41. Prof. Suresh Kotagal, Professor of Neurology, Pediatric 

and Adolescent Medicine, Centre for Sleep medicine, 

Mayo Clinic, USA, visited the Department of Neurology, 

and spoke on ‘Sleep in children with Autism’, 16 February 

2012. 

42. Prof. David Glanzman, Full Professor, Department 

of Integrative Biology and Physiology, UCLA College, 

Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of 

Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA, visited the 

Department of Neurophysiology, and spoke on ‘Erasing 

molluscan memories’, 18 February 2012. 

43. Dr. MM Panicker, National Centre for Biological Sciences 

(TIFR), Bangalore, India, visited the Department 

of Neurophysiology, and spoke on ‘Approaches to 

understand serotonin receptor functions’, 19 February 

2012. 

44. Dr. NR Jaganathan, Professor and Head, Department 

of NMR & MRI Facility, All India Institute of Medical 

Sciences, New Delhi, visited the Department of 

Neurophysiology, and spoke on ‘Fascinating human 

brain: A look at its functioning by functional imaging’, 

20 February 2012. 

45. Dr. US Bhalla, National Centre for Biological Sciences 

(TIFR) Bangalore, India, visited the Department of 

Neurophysiology, and spoke on ‘Olfactory processing 

and odour-guided navigation’, 21 February 2012 

46. Mr. Subedhar, Visiting Faculty/ Senior Scientist, 

Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science 

Education and Research (IISER), Pune, visited the 

Department of Neurophysiology, and spoke on ‘Neural 

mechanisms of motivation, reward and punishment’, 21 

February 2012. 

47. Dr. Sumantra Chattarji, National Centre for Biological 

Sciences (TIFR), Bangalore, India, visited the 

Department of Neurophysiology, and spoke on ‘The 

amygdala in good times and bad’, 23 February 2012. 

48. Dr. Vidita Vaidya, Department of Biological Sciences Tata 

Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, 

visited the Department of Neurophysiology, and spoke 

on ‘Making new neurons in adult mammalian brain: 

functional relevance’, 23 February 2012. 

49. Prof. Mani Ramaswami, Research Professor of 

Neuroscience, Department of Genetics, Trinity 

College Dublin, Ireland, visited the Department of 

Neurophysiology and spoke on ‘Habituation’, 24 

February 2012. 


11


50. Prof. Vinod Kumar, Department of Zoology, University 

of Delhi, visited the Department of Neurophysiology, and 

spoke on ‘Biological Clock and Learning and Memory’, 

25 February 2012. 

51. Prof. Shane O’Mara, Experimental Brain Research 

Department of Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, 

Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, visited the Department 

of Neurophysiology and spoke on ‘Anatomical, 

pharmacological, neurophysiological and brain circuits 

supporting episodic memory formation’, 25 February 

2012. 

SA Ramadas, Hon’ble Minister for Medical Education, 

Government of Karnataka and Vice-President, NIMHANS 

Society, graced the occasion. Prof. P Satish Chandra, 

Director/Vice-Chancellor in his welcome address gave 

an account of the activities of the Institute since the last 

Convocation. Meritorious students of NIMHANS received 

awards on the occasion. 

7.0 ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS AT NIMHANS 

A) ACTIVITIES 

7.1 Oration 

Dr. Ramachandra N. Moorthy Oration was delivered by Dr. 

K Kuruvilla, Professor Emeritus, PSG Institute of Medical 

Science and Research, Coimbatore, on ‘The mind and the 

brain –bridging the gap’, 13 January 2012. 

Dr. K Kuruvilla, Professor Emeritus, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and 

Research. 

NIMHANS 16th Convocation 

7.3 Institute Day Celebrations 

The Institute Day was held on 14 February 2012. Dr. R. 

Venkata Rao, Professor of Law and Vice-Chancellor, National 

Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore, was the 

Chief Guest. Padmashri Smt. Sudha Murthy, Chairperson, 

Infosys Foundation, Bangalore, was the Guest of Honour. 

Best Service Awards were presented to the faculty and staff 

who superannuated during the year. DPN, DNN and DCNT 

Certificates were awarded to the successful candidates. Staff 

members who participated and excelled in various sports 

and other extra-curricular activities were presented with 

mementoes. Students and staff members organized cultural 

events to mark the occasion. 

7.2 16 th NIMHANS Convocation 

The 16 th Convocation of NIMHANS, Deemed University, 

was held on 20 January, 2012, Hon’ble Vice-President of 

India Shri. M Hamid Ansari delivered the Convocation 

address. Shri. HR Bharadwaj, His Excellency, Governor of 

Karnataka was the Guest of Honour and Shri. Ghulam Nabi 

Azad, Hon’ble Minister for Health and Family Welfare, 

Government of India, and President, NIMHANS Society, 

presided over the event and awarded the degrees. Shri. 

Institute Day Celebrations. 



7.4 Public Lecture Series 

NIMHANS revived the earlier tradition of public lecture 

series aimed at enriching learning, broadening the thinking 

and widening the horizon of vision. During the year, Dr. Alok 

Pandey, Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry, delivered a talk on 

‘Psychology of Consciousness’, 30 th April 2011. 

7.7 Hospital Assistants Apprenticeship Training 

Hospital Assistants – Apprenticeship Trainees who completed 

the training of two years were awarded certificates on 31 

October 2011 by Dr. V. Ravi, Registrar and Dr. P. Satish 

Chandra, Director/Vice-Chancellor. 

B) EVENTS 

7.8 World Parkinson’s Day 

The World Pakinson’s Day, observed on 10 April 2011, aimed 

at creating awareness among patients, their relatives and 

the general public to evolve strategies for coping with the 

disability. 

7.9 Dr. BR Ambedkar Jayanthi Celebrations 

Popular Lecture series by Dr. Alok Pandey, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry 

7.5 “Our hand in hundred hands” – Handicraft 

exhibition 

Bharat Ratna Dr. BR Ambedkar Jayanthi was celebrated on 5 

May, 2011. Venerable Bhante Buddha Prakash, Chief Abbot, 

Mahabodhi Mission, T-Narasipur, Mysore was the Chief 

Guest, Mr. MR Prabhakar, Backward & Minority Communities 

Employees Federation (BAMCEF) was the Guest of Honour. 

The Psychiatric Rehabilitation Centre participated in handicraft 

exhibition “The handmade collective”, organized by ‘A Hundred 

Hands’ a non-profit organization, Ashley Road, Bangalore, 26 

November 2011. During the exhibition selected products were 

exhibited. The new jeans bags project was initiated by DPNR 

in collaboration with ‘A Hundred Hands’. The programme was 

an initiative from the Psychiatric Rehabilitation team to spread 

awareness about the centre among the public and to showcase 

the capabilities of mentally challenged people. 

7.6 Guest Lecture by Shri. Ramachandra Guha 

Noted historian Shri. Ramachandra Guha delivered a guest 

lecture on ‘Verdicts on Nehru: rise and fall of a reputation’ on 

9 th May 2011 organised by NIMHANS Faculty Association. 

Dr. BR Ambedkar Jayanthi celebrations 

7.10 International Nurses Day 

Noted historian Shri. Ramachandra Guha 

International Nurses Day and Exhibition was organised by 

the Department of Nursing on 12 May 2011. The theme of 

the year was “Closing the gap: increasing access and equity”. 

On the occasion, Mrs. SN Usha, Department of Child and 

Adolescent Psychiatry and Mrs. Ruby Christina, Female 

Surgical Ward received the ‘Best Staff Nurse’ award and the 

‘Best Ward of the Year’ was shared by Psychiatric Special 

Ward, Block ‘A’ and Department of Psychiatric & Neurological 

Rehabilitation in psychiatric side and Neurology ‘B’ block 

from Neuro Centre side. 


13


Litterateur UR Ananthamurthy inaugurating SPICMACY Chapter of NIMHANS 

Dr. P Satish Chandra, Director/Vice-Chancellor, NIMHANS presenting awards 

to the nurses 

7.11 Gymkhana Day Celebration and “Crèche” 

Inauguration 

The Gymkhana Day was celebrated on 16July 2011 at 

NIMHANS Gymkhana. On this occasion, meritorious students 

and children of NIMHANS staff received cash awards and 

books by Prof P Satish Chandra, Director/Vice-chancellor and 

President of NIMHANS Gymkhana and Dr. V Ravi, Registrar 

and Vice-President NIMHANS Gymkhana. The new Crèche 

Block and multi gym for men and women were inaugurated. 

7.13 Independence Day 

Independence Day was celebrated with pomp and gaiety on 

15 August 2011. Flag hoisting and cultural programmes were 

held as part of the celebrations. 

7.14 Teachers’ Day 

Teachers’ Day was celebrated on 6 September 2011 at 

NIMHANS. Prof. MS Valiathan, National Professor and 

Former Vice-Chancellor, MAHE, Manipal, was the Chief Guest 

and he delivered a talk on “Institutes of National Importance: 

realizing the full potential”. 

7.15 World Elder’s Week 2011 

Valedictory Programme of World Elder’s Week was held on 

1 October 2011. Hon’ble Dr. Justice V.S. Malimath, former 

member of the National Human Rights Commission and 

Former Chief Justice of the High Courts of Karnataka and 

Kerala was the Chief Guest, Dr. K. Jacob Roy, Chairman 

Alzheimer’s Associations was the Guest of Honour. The 

Kannada version (translation) of the Executive Summary of 

the Dementia India Report 2010 was released on the occasion. 

Several public programmes and health consultation camp 

were conducted on the occasion 

Dr. V Ravi, Registrar, NIMHANS giving away cash award at the celebration of 

Gymkhana Day 

7.12 SPICMACAY Chapter at NIMHANS 

SPICMACAY Chapter of NIMHANS was inaugurated on 10 th 

August 2011 by noted litterateur and Jnanpeeth Award winner 

Dr. U R Ananthamurthy. On this occasion, the violin concert 

by Padmabhushan L. Subramaniam, an internationally 

acclaimed violinist, and team was organized in association 

with Gymkhana. 

Executive Summary of the Dementia India Report 2010 (Kannada version) 

being released at valedictory programme of World Elders Week 



7.16 World Mental Health Day and Mental Health 

Week 2011 

The 10th of October, every year, is observed as World Mental 

Health Day and the following week as Mental Health Week 

to spread awareness on mental health and related issues. The 

theme for the year 2011 was “The Great push; Investing 

in Mental Health”. NIMHANS marked the Mental Health 

Week, 2011 with (i) the inauguration of a community based 

Centre for Well-Being, situated away from the hospital 

campus in a residential neighbourhood of Bangalore; and (ii) 

a series of public interactions to enable greater sensitisation 

of the community to issues of mental health and the available 

interventions. 

2011. The session was attended by students of 3 schools 

and their teachers: Hombegowda Boys School (62 

students and 2 teachers); Hombegowda Girls School 

(47 students and 2 teachers); Holy Crescent School 

(49 students and 4 teachers), and 7 counselors from a 

voluntary counseling agency. 

3. Workshop Series by The Psychiatric Social 

Work Department: Workshop for Multipurpose 

Rehabilitation Workers (MRWs) in Karnataka under 

the theme of ‘People with mental illness and community 

based rehabilitation’ was inaugurated by the Director of 

Disability Welfare. The book titled ‘Mental Illness and 

Disability: A Handbook for Multipurpose Rehabilitation 

Workers’ was released on this occasion. 14-15 October 

2011. 

4. A programme in collaboration with the 

Karnataka Havyasi Apthasamalochakara 

Vedike, held as a part of the World Mental Health Week 

celebrations on 16 October 2011, focused on the Mental 

Health topics. Shri. Hulikal Nataraj of Miracle Research 

Centre, Shadaksharipura, Doddaballapur educated 

the participants with the tricks involved in magic and 

miracles, as a bid to reduce stigma and demystify the 

fraudulent practices often employed to deceive the 

public promising miracle cures. 

Inauguration of NIMHANS Centre for Well-Being and World Mental Health 

Week 2011 celebrations. 

Chief guests Shri. SA Ramadas, Hon’ble Minister for Medical Education 

and Shri. Suresh Kumar, Hon’ble Minister for Urban Development with 

Dr. P Satish Chandra, Director/Vice-Chancellor, NIMHANS and Dr. V Ravi, 

Registrar, NIMHANS 

Shri. Suresh Kumar, Hon’ble Minister for Urban Development 

and the Chief Guest of the day representing the Hon’ble 

Chief Minister of Karnataka, and Shri. SA Ramadas, Hon’ble 

Minister for Medical Education, Government of Karnataka 

inaugurated the NIMHANS Centre for Well-Being and the 

poster exhibition. In addition, 

1. The Department of Nursing organized an elocution 

competition under the theme of the World Mental 

Health Day 2011 for postgraduate students of various 

colleges from Karnataka on 12 October 2011. 

2. The Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 

organized an interactive session “Handling Academic 

Stress” for schoolchildren and teachers on 15 October 

5. Two public lectures on a) Genes and Madness for an 

audience of school children at the Jawaharlal Nehru 

Centre for Advanced Research, Bangalore, 13 October 

2011 b) Madness specialists and Public Health for 

the students and faculty at the Indian Society for 

Economic Research, Bangalore on 14 October 2011, 

were held. 

7.17 Global Handwashing Week 

The Global Handwashing Week was celebrated from 13-19 

October 2011 at NIMHANS and a poster competition for staff 

and students of NIMHANS was held. 

7.18 Vigilance Awareness Week 2011 

Valedictory function of the Vigilance Awareness Week was 

held on 4 November 2011. Mr. Tushar Girinath, Director 

Public Instructions, Government of Karnataka was the Chief 

Guest. 


15


Vigilance Awareness Week 2011 celebrations 

7.19 Kannada Rajyotsava 2011 

Kannada Rajyotsava was celebrated on 24 November 2011. Dr. 

Sumathindra Nadig, a well-known poet, was the Chief Guest. 

Cultural programmes during Children’s Day celebrations 

7.21 Lamp Lighting Ceremony 2011 

Lamp Lighting Ceremony of the sixth batch of B.Sc. Nursing 

was held on 26 November 2011. Dr. KS Sriprakash, Vice- 

Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, 

Bangalore, was the Chief Guest. 

Lamp Lighting Ceremony 2011 

7.22 World AIDS Day 

Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations, 2011 

7.20 Children’s Day -2011 

1. Children’s Day was celebrated on 14 November 2011 

by NIMHANS Gymkhana Club. On this occasion, Quiz 

programme and Cricket tournament were held for 

children of the staff and students of NIMHANS. Prizes 

were distributed to the winners by Dr. P. Satish Chandra, 

Director/Vice-Chancellor and President of NIMHANS 

Gymkhana. 

2. The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Centre celebrated 

Children’s Day on 23 November 2011 with great 

enthusiasm. Prof. P Satish Chandra, Director/Vice- 

Chancellor was the chief guest. Children from the 

psychiatry ward presented various cultural programmes 

and showcased their talent. Prizes were distributed to 

the winners of various competitions. 

On 1 December 2011, to commemorate World HIV/AIDS 

Day, an exhibition based on the theme ‘Universal Access 

& Human Rights” was organized. Dr. GN Narayana 

Reddy, former Director, inaugurated the exhibition. 

Posters and models depicting the evolution of HIV/ 

AIDS, epidemiology, incidence, prevalence, causes, 

pathophysiology, mode of transmission, clinical features, 

prevention and treatment of AIDS were displayed along 

with a video demonstration regarding universal access to 

HIV prevention, treatment and care. For the benefit of 

general public and to improve accessibility, the exhibits 

were displayed at NIMHANS OPD. Nearly 1,000 patients, 

their family members as well as general public visited the 

exhibition. 

7.23 Fire Safety Drill 

Fire Safety Drill was held on 24 December 2011 at NIMHANS. 

The fire and rescue service personnel reviewed the different fire 



safety systems at the Institute and suggested improvements to 

enhance preparedness. 

7.25 Republic Day 

Republic Day was celebrated on 26 January, 2012. The 

programme included flag hoisting, cultural events, prize 

distribution, etc. 

Fire services department personnel demonstrating safety measures at a drill 

7.24 Hindi Week Celebrations 2011 

A three-day Hindi workshop was organized in December 

2011, as part of the Hindi Week Celebrations. Dr. V Ravi, 

Registrar, NIMHANS, inaugurated the workshop and M. P. 

Damodar, Assistant Director, Hindi Teaching Scheme, was 

the chief guest. Special lectures and deliberations were also 

held during the Hindi Week. At the valedictory function on 

30 December 2011, Ajaykumar Srivastav, Deputy Director, 

Implementation, Department of Official Language was the 

Guest of Honour. Prof. P. Satish Chandra Director/Vice- 

Chancellor distributed certificates to the participants of the 

workshop. Prizes were distributed to the winners of various 

competitions conducted, and to those who excelled in Hindi 

Typewriting and Stenography Examinations during the year 

2011. 

Republic Day celebrations. 

8.0 NEW BUILDINGS 

8.1 Infosys Foundation Dharmashala 

Inauguration of Infosys Foundation Dharmashala by Shri. Ghulam Nabi Azad, 

Hon’ble Ministor of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Shri. SA 

Ramadas. Hon’ble Minister for Medical Education, Government of Karnataka is 

also seen 

Hindi Workshop, held as part of the Hindi Week celebrations 

The Dharmashala, donated by Infosys Foundation, 

Bangalore, costing Rs.5.20 crore and constructed in a 

record time of less than nine months was inaugurated 

by Shri. Ghulam Nabi Azad, Hon’ble Minister for Health 

and Family Welfare, Government of India and President, 


17


NIMHANS Society, Bangalore. Shri. SA Ramadas, Hon’ble 

Minister for Medical Education, Government of Karnataka 

and Vice-President, NIMHANS Society, graced the occasion. 

Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan, Executive Co-Chairman, 

CEO and Managing Director, Infosys and Mrs. Sudha 

Gopalakrishnan represented the Infosys Foundation on 

the occasion. Shri B.L.S. Murthy, Chairman, Dharmashala 

Committee, Dr. M. Maiya, Consultant Physician, Maiya 

Hospital, Prof. P Satish Chandra, Director/Vice-Chancellor 

and Dr. V Ravi, Registrar were present. The Dharamshala 

has 5 dormitories which can accommodate 25 people each 

(with common kitchen and bathroom), 28 single rooms 

with attached bathroom and pantry facility. This facility 

is in addition to the Laxmi Mittal Rest Home with its 37 

rooms and 3 dormitories. 

8.2 De-addiction Inpatient Facility for Women 

The problem of substance use among women is on the rise. To 

specifically cater to this group an inpatient facility has been 

planned. The Bhoomi Puja was performed for a two-storeyed 

building, which can provide for 20 beds along with a state-of 

the-art toxicology laboratory. 

9.0 POLICY IMPLEMENTATION 

9.1 Implementation of Official Language 

Shri. Manoj Kumar Abusaria, Deputy Director (OL), Ministry 

of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India visited 

the Institute on 30 March 2012. The duly filled-in inspection 

questionnaires regarding the use of Hindi in the Institute was 

handed over to the team representing the official language 

department. Prof. P. Satish Chandra, Director/Vice-Chancellor 

briefly elucidated the steps taken by NIMHANS to effectively 

implement the Official Language Policy in the Institute, 

including the training programmes for Hindi typewriting and 

stenography. 

9.2 Government of India Reservation Policy 

NIMHANS functions under the Ministry of Health and Family 

Welfare, Government of India and follows the reservation 

policy as laid down by the Central Government for faculty 

recruitment and student admission. 

9.3 Implementation of Right to Information Act 

As per the Official Memorandum of the Ministry of Health and 

Family Welfare, New Delhi, the Central Public Information 

Officers at NIMHANS are the Dean of Faculty, Medical 

Superintendent, Administrative Officer, Asst. Administrative 

Officers – Stores, Co-Ordination, Accounts, Claims, OPD, 

Hospital, DPNR and Projects. The Public Relations Officer is 

the Liaison Officer for the purpose of the RTI correspondence. 

Every month, 15-20 applications are handled by the Institute 

as per instructions of the DOPT order dated 14.11.2007. 

9.4 Results Framework Document- NIMHANS 

NIMHANS was the first medical institution to develop the 

RFD document. All departments participated in developing 

the final document including setting the targets, with 

commitment to periodically monitor the same and undertake 

midcourse correction when needed. 

10.0 DONATIONS 

A total of Rs.3.35 crore was received as donations during the 

year. This includes Rs. 3.13 crore from Dr. Ramachandra N. 

Moorthy, Indian-born Psychiatrist practicing in Canada. One 

lakh rupees from Dr. Jyotsana Thakre, Rs. 1.5 lakh from two 

patients (anonymous), Rs.10 lakh from Mrs. Usha Bhushan 

and Rs. 9.5 lakh from M/s. State Bank of Mysore. 

The amount from State Bank of Mysore was utilized to purchase 

two Golf Carts (eco-friendly electric vehicles) to ferry patients 

and their relatives, especially the elderly, between different 

sections of NIMHANS Hospital facility. 

The Dr. Ramachandra N Moorthy Foundation for Mental 

Health and Neurological Sciences has been created from 

the generous donations given by Dr. Ramachandra N. Moorthy 

to NIMHANS for academic activities in the field of Mental Health 

and Neuro Sciences. The funds will be utilized for promotion 

of mental health, prevention of mental illness, treatment and 

rehabilitation of people with psychiatric disorder, supporting 

academic activities and innovation in neurology and psychiatry 

that fosters general mental health and well-being of the public. 

NIMHANS faculty interested in conducting an academic activity, 

meeting the above objectives can avail this fund. 



Financial Highlights of NIMHANS 2011-12 

During the year 2011-12, NIMHANS, Bangalore received Rs.196.78 crore as Grants-in-Aid from Government of 

India and Government of Karnataka for meeting expenditure on running of the Institute, treatment of patients, creation 

of assets and also acquisition of equipment, as against Rs. 154.28 crore received during the previous year. 

Out of the grants received, Rs. 85.27 crore was applied for creation of assets / acquisition of new equipment. The 

amount spent on patient care was Rs. 45.62 crore against Rs. 27.82 crore in the previous year. This is an increase in 

patient care expenditure by 45% over that of the last year. 

In addition to the above, the Institute received a sum of Rs. 31.71 crore for research, De-addiction and AIDS 

prevention activities (including manpower development under Scheme B), as against Rs. 8.37 crore received in the 

previous year. 

Funds received on all accounts were utilized substantially on the purpose for which the funds were intended for. 

The internal receipts of the Institute for the year was Rs. 26.52 crore against Rs.23.96 crore in 2010-11, indicating 

a 11% growth. The hospital receipts increased from Rs.10.57 crore to Rs. 17.57 crore. 

The Institute adhered to the guidelines issued in respect of the timelines prescribed for preparation and submission 

of Accounts to various authorities. 


19


Research Collaborations 

National Institutions 

International Organisations 


NIMHANS – the way forward 

“True to its tradition, NIMHANS has always led by example. In the year that has goneby, 

the institute has strived not just to maintain highest standards of patient care, academic 

achievement participating in cutting-edge research but also has set for itself new goals to excel 

and demonstrate accountablity. We have successfully conducted the multi-site online entrance 

test for the various courses, the first such attempt by a public-sector medical institute. While 

successfully negotiating the path towards NABL accreditation, we are proactively pursuing 

the goal of NABH accreditation. We are proud that NIMHANS proto-type institutions have 

been accepted in principle by the Government of India as a model for replication across the 

country. 

NIMHANS has a dream to make the institute as an ‘Institute of National Importance’ (INI) 

on par with All India Institue of Medical Sciences, New Delhi and Post Graduate Institute, 

Chandigarh. The bill has already been introduced in Parliament and referred to the Standing 

Parliamentary Committee, Legal Department and the Ministry. We hope that we will be able to 

get this during the year 2012. The INI status will give us more autonomy to take the institution 

to higher level. We envisage new courses, new curricula, and inter-disciplinary courses to be 

started. 

As the institute is growing, the available land for further growth is a matter of concern. With 

this in view, NIMHANS has approached the Government of Karnataka to allot atleast 50 acres 

of land in North Bangalore to develop the Northern NIMHANS campus and cater to the needs 

of ever growing demands of mental and neurological health care. We very much hope that this 

would materialise in the year 2012. 

An ICMR team visited NIMHANS during 2011-12 and reviewed proposals to establish Centre 

for Advanced Research (CAR) in Translational Research and Innovation in the area of Mental 

Health and Neuro Sciences. This would be the first such recognition to an institution devoted to 

mental health and neurosciences. We take this opportunity to rededicate and commit ourselves 

to the health and well being of our fellow citizens”. 

Dr. P. Satishchandra 

Director/Vice-Chancellor

From left to right: Shri. S.A. Ramadas, Hon’ble Minister for Medical Education, Government of Karnataka and Vice-President, NIMHANS, Shri. S. Suresh Kumar, Hon’ble 

Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights, Dr. Hans Raj Bhardwaj, Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka, Shri. M. Hamid Ansari, Hon’ble Vice-President of India, Shri. Ghulam 

Nabi Azad, Hon’ble Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and President, NIMHANS, Prof. P. Satish Chandra, Director/ Vice-Chancellor, NIMHANS, 

Dr. G.S. Umamaheshwara Rao, Dean, NIMHANS.

Awards and Honours 


Smt. D. Padmavathy, Staff Nurse, receiving coveted National Florence Nightingale award from Hon’ble 

President of India Smt. Pratibha Patil. 

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Shri. Ghulam Nabi Azad is also seen. 

List of Awardees at NIMHANS Convocation 

Dr. Pramod K 

Silver Jubilee Award for the best outgoing student 

in DM Neurology - 2011 

Dr Ambekar Sudheer 

Silver Jubilee Award for the best outgoing student 

in M.Ch Neurosurgery - 2011 

Dr. Sharath Kumar GG 

Golden Jubilee Award for best outgoing student in 

DM Neuroradiology - 2011 

Dr. Soumya P 

Dr. D.L.N. Murthy Rao Memorial Prize for the best 

outgoing student in Diploma in Psychiatry - 2011 

Mr. Mathew M.Varghese 

Dr. M.V. Govindaswamy Memorial Prize for scoring 

the highest marks in M.Phil Psychiatric Social Work – 2011 

Mr. Ashok S 

Dr. R.N. Moorthy Award for scoring the highest marks 

in M.Phil Neurophysiology - 2011 

Dr. Pramod K 

Dr. Anisya Vasanth Memorial Award for the Best 

Post-Graduate Resident in Neurology - 2011 

Major (Mrs) Anita D. Nair 

Infosys Foundation Award For Excellence (in Cash) 

& Mukund Memorial Award (in Cash) for securing 

distinction in Post-Basic Diploma in Neuro Science Nursing 

Examination held in April 2011 

Dr. Shukla Aniket Dattatraya 

Silver Jubilee Award for the best outgoing student in MD 

Psychiatry - 2011 

Ms. Divya Sadana 

Dr. M.V. Govindaswamy Memorial Prize for scoring 

the highest marks in M.Phil Mental Health and Social 

Psychology - 2011 

Ms. Jharana Das 

Dr. R.N. Moorthy Award for scoring the highest 

marks in M.Phil Biophysics - 2011 

Ms. Sneha M.Jose 

Dr. R.N. Moorthy Award for scoring the highest 

marks in M.Sc. Psychiatric Nursing -2011 

Capt. Monisha Nath 

Dr M. V. Govindaswamy and Dr D.L.N. Murthy 

Rao Memorial Prize & Infosys Foundation 

Award For Excellence (in Cash) for securing the 

highest marks in Post-Basic Diploma in Psychiatric/ 

Mental Health Nursing Examination held in April 2011 


23


New Facilities 

NIMHANS Centre for Well-Being was inaugurated on 10 October 2011 (inset) by Shri. SA Ramadas, Hon’ble Minister for Medical Education, 

Government of Karnataka 

Infosys Foundation Dharmashala was inaugurated (inset) by Shri. Ghulam Nabi Azad, Hon’ble Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government 

of India

Annual Report - Nimhans

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