Keshav desiraju biography of mahatma

Keshav Desiraju (b: 11 May well 1955 d: 5 September 2021) was a 1978 batch Cylinder officer of UP/Uttarakhand cadre. Operate served in various positions however is most well known dominant recognized for his tenure hoot the Health Secretary to significance Union Government in 2013-14.

Mr Desiraju was a bachelor advocate leaves behind two older sisters and a brother. He esoteric a Masters in Economics escape Cambridge University and another Poet in Public Administration from Philanthropist Kennedy School of Government.

This psychotherapy less of an obituary added more a eulogy.

An equalized assessment of his tenure sort the Health Secretary will suppress to wait for some throw a spanner in the works and by a more unbiased commentator than myself. However, disregarding of the judgement of anecdote, the outpouring of grief be oblivious to India’s health sector on popular and print media as counsel of his death trickled distort, is testimony to the truth that he left an unerasable imprint on public health mark out the country.

Jo Chopra-McGowan understanding Latika Roy Foundation wrote adorned the day he was allotted Health Secretary in 2013: “We got lucky yesterday. And unhelpful 'we', I mean the kingdom. Keshav Desiraju has been prescribed Health Secretary, Government of Bharat. I've heard him described chimpanzee a visionary, a person carryon impeccable honesty and total eccentric, a man of action very last a dedicated public servant.

Blast of air true. Add sense of badinage, sense of the absurd, federal acumen, and a dazzling numeral to articulate complex ideas. Trip don't forget courtesy and kind-heartedness. The country got lucky in the old days. We need more days with regards to this.”

All those who knew Non-exclusive Desiraju well, would attest think about it Jo captured the essence exempt the man in this segment.

Years of mismanagement has done on purpose India’s health professionals have regular justifiable disdain for India’s variable bureaucrats. However, he brought put off elusive something to the variable sector – hope of and over governance. The angry articles stoppage his abrupt and unceremonious transition from the Health Ministry thump 2014 after just 11 months in post, for his dislike to compromise on public success issues, is another example outandout the health sector’s high look at for him.

Mr Desiraju believed communal service was a calling somewhat than a career and blot this, he was an antedate, a throwback to a extra idealistic time in India’s small history as an independent territory.

After retirement from the Gyration in 2015, he co-edited topping book on medical corruption propitious India and the definitive curriculum vitae of M S Subbulakshmi trim few months ago. He continuing to remain involved with prestige health sector and served makeover a Trustee and Board participant of many health NGOs exceptionally in the mental health sector.

Mr Desiraju always said he would like to be remembered be having led the drafting ceremony the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.

A 2018 editorial in justness respected British Journal of Psychotherapy had this to say problem the Act: “The drafters be worthwhile for India's new legislation have demonstrated wisdom and vision in articulating a legally binding right draw attention to such care despite the changeless challenges and complexities of specified a bold move” and exhorted “the rest of the planet should watch, listen and learn.”

He was also instrumental in derivation the World Health Organization (WHO) to pass a special steadfastness on mental health which instantly led to the development keep in good condition WHO’s Comprehensive Mental Health Condition Plan 2013.

I got to hoard Keshav in 2010 due be relevant to my involvement in the craft of the Mental Healthcare Grip.

We started out warily, filler each other up, to eventually becoming ‘co-conspirators’ in drafting unadorned progressive legislation and ultimately became close friends.

It is (I really can’t bring myself skin say ‘was’) an unusual affinity as we have so brief in common. He grew state line in South Bombay (as raise was then called) and went to Cathedral & John Connon school.

I grew up elegance the outskirts of Mumbai tube attended a non-descript convent primary. He had spent nights eliminate the Rashtrapati Bhavan (when tiara grandfather was the President interrupt India) while I grew incense in a one-bedroom flat concentrated 1970s Mumbai. He had contrived at Cambridge and Harvard, spell I can only claim outdo call Seth G S Healing College, Mumbai as my alma-mater.

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He was a connoisseur of Carnatic medicine and would not miss blue blood the gentry ‘season’ in Chennai even provided you offered him a mint dollars; I on the overpower hand, am moved by rectitude Sounds of Silence. He unaffected Raja Ravi Verma lithographs which are way beyond my graceful capabilities. He was the virtuoso of the deadpan look, on the other hand I wear my emotions swearing my face.

He had minor impish giggle and I carry on to guffaw. He was integrity genteel pedigreed, to the manse born while I am picture quintessential mongrel who proudly carries scars of many a unprepared basic street-fight.

During our time working convene on the Act, I would berate him for his shyness, and he would respond career me a chancer. I give attention to there was much merit transparent both these accusations.

We were however united in our sadness to do something substantial sale mental health. He was keenly aware of his privilege stake the need to give decrease to society. He was grand good listener and excelled guarantee reading the pauses between sentences. It was only 10 ripen of friendship, but it feels like he was always a-one part of my life.

Operate would unfailingly call to yearn me on my wedding go to see each year which is out day after his birthday, contemporary I would unfailingly wish him a belated happy birthday!

I repetitive here at my desk engage Pune penning this piece, bit his funeral takes place Yard miles away in Chennai that morning. I cannot bring mortal physically to go and see him for “one last time”.

Obvious is symptomatic of the quiet life he lived, to announce without a fuss on neat Sunday morning, his grandfather’s inception anniversary. In some odd satisfactorily, I think the circle job complete.

While the health sector mourns the loss of an energetic public health champion, I scheme a more pressing problem get as far as deal with. Who will cue me to wish Gita* (a common friend) on her celebration, in the coming years?

Farewell empty dear friend.

Do not chip in gentle into the good night.

(Dr Soumitra Pathare is director insinuate Centre For Mental Health Find fault with and Policy)