Awards and Recognitions
Winners of the IAPC’s Theme Song Competition Announced!
Congratulations to Mr Umesh Pandey and Dr Geeta Joshi
The Indian Association of Palliative Care is delighted to share the results of the prestigious Theme Song Competition!
Two out of the 16 highly creative submissions received equal scores in the rigorous evaluation by the panel of judges to select IAPC’s theme Song.
The winners are: Mr Umesh Pandey, Siliguri and Dr Geeta Joshi, Ahmedabad
Mr Umesh Pandey (Radio Jockey, Radio Misty, Siliguri), a trained volunteer in palliative care works closely with Shanti Palliative Care, Siliguri. He is actively engaged in advocacy initiatives to promote awareness of palliative care, while also providing care and support to individuals and their families.
Dr Geeta Joshi (President, IAPC), was the Head of the Department, Department of Palliative Medicine, and Deputy Director of Gujrat Cancer and Research Institute, Ahmedabad. She also served as CEO of Community Oncology Centre, Gujarat Cancer Society.
Final theme song will be decided during the composing stage from the two finalist entries.
A Prize of Rs 11,000/- will be awarded to the winner.
The winning entry will be honoured as the official Theme Song of the IAPC, serving as a musical emblem of our shared commitment to dignity, compassion, and care.
IAPC extends its heartfelt congratulations to the winners and to all who have submitted thoughtfully curated songs.
Congratulations to the Winners of IAPC’s WHPCD -2025 Competitions!
The Indian Association of Palliative Care is excited to share the results of the competitions organized in commemoration of the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day celebrations. Congratulations to all participants for their thoughtful contributions to the IAPC’s Essay and Photography competitions.
The response to the competitions were incredible, with 60 essays and 43 photos sent in by doctors, nurses, and palliative care professionals from all over India and abroad. The submissions showed a lot of empathy, creativity, and a shared desire to make palliative care a basic right.
The winners are the following:
Essay Writing
(Topic: How can we achieve universal access to palliative care in India? Challenges, innovations, and your vision)
1st Prize: Ms Keshav Sharma, Psycho- Oncologist, Artemis Hospitals, Gurugram, Haryana
2nd Prize: Ms Neetu, Nursing Officer, AIIMS, New Delhi
3rd Prize: Dr Sandra O, Institute of Palliative Medicine, Kozhikode, Kerala
Photography
(Theme: Faces, Places, and Moments of Compassion: Capturing Universal Access to Palliative Care)
1st Prize: Dr Ankit Chandra, Assistant Professor, AIIMS-CAPFIMS, New Delhi
2nd Prize: Ms Harshita D, Psychologist& Research Scholar, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka
3rd Prize: Mr Mohankumar B. Thambad , Senior Manager, Palliative Care Services, SVYM, Dharward, Karnataka
The winners will receive awards of Rs 10,000, Rs 7,500, and Rs 5,000 for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prizes respectively along with certificates jointly issued by the IAPC and WHPCA.
The IAPC extends its warmest congratulations to all the winners!
Dr. Santosh Kumar Chaturvedi named among Stanford’s World’s Top 2% Scientists for 2025
The Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) proudly congratulates Dr. Santosh Kumar Chaturvedi on being featured in the Stanford University 2025 List of the World’s Top 2% Scientists.
Dr. Chaturvedi, a distinguished name in the fields of Psychiatry, Behavioural Sciences, Oncology and Palliative Care, is one among only 15 psychiatrists worldwide to receive this remarkable recognition. The prestigious database curated by Stanford University honours scientists for their pioneering research, clinical excellence, and sustained contributions to their respective disciplines.
Dr. Chaturvedi is the former Dean (Behavioural Sciences) and Professor of Psychiatry at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore. He is also a member of the International Psycho-Oncology Society. A distinguished academician and researcher, Dr. Chaturvedi also serves as a dedicated National Faculty member of the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC). Currently, he is an Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist at the Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitasalaya, Vrindavan, Barsana & Mangarh.
Known for his insightful and engaging teaching methods, Dr. Chaturvedi’s workshops on Communication Skills in Oncology and Palliative Care have been immensely popular and well-received among healthcare professionals. His areas of expertise span consultation-liaison psychiatry, chronic pain management, psychosocial oncology, palliative care, and quality of life research.
On this prestigious occasion, Dr. Chaturvedi shares: “I am truly grateful to the IAPC for this acknowledgment on my achievement. I am honoured to be featured on this list for the fifth consecutive time. I am also delighted to mention that my most cited publication is in Oncology and Palliative Care. My second medical speciality recognised by Stanford Elsevier group is Oncology. I would continue to serve IAPC and support psychosocial oncology and teach Communication Skills till I can.“
The IAPC extends its heartiest congratulations to Dr. Chaturvedi on this well-deserved global recognition and celebrates his outstanding contributions to advancing the integration of mental health and palliative care.
Congratulations on the Launch of the Karunashraya MAHE Centre of Excellence for Advance Care Planning!
We are delighted to share the launch of the Karunashraya MAHE Centre of Excellence for Advance Care Planning(ACP) — a collaborative initiative between Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) through Kasturba Medical College, Manipal and Bangalore Hospice Trust (BHT).
The Centre of Excellence (CoE) aims to address the growing challenges of chronic and life-limiting conditions in India by promoting structured, patient-centred approaches that help individuals reflect on their values, express preferences, appoint surrogates, and document choices for future care. The Centre will work towards integrating ACP into oncology, nephrology, ICU/critical care, geriatrics, palliative care, and community care, while also serving as a hub for training, education, and research to strengthen evidence-based and compassionate healthcare delivery in India.
The CoE was inaugurated on 7th October, 2025, by Dr. H. S. Ballal (Pro Chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education) in the presence of Dr. Sharath Rao (Pro Vice Chancellor -Health Sciences, MAHE, Manipal), Dr. Naveen Salins ((Professor and Head, Dean-Research, Department of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal), Dr. Nagesh Simha (Medical Director, BHT-Karunashraya,Bengaluru) and other dignitaries.
Congratulations on this commendable initiative. May the CoE successfully achieve its vision of advancing the cause of Advance Care Planning in India.
Amrit Dhara Palliative Care Trust Celebrates the First Anniversary of its Second Branch
Amrit Dhara Palliative Care Trust (ADPCT) celebrated the first anniversary of its second centre at Kalinga Nagar, Bhubaneswar, on 28th September 2025. In September 2024, when ADPCT was just five years old, its second branch was launched with the support of well-wishers and a small yet dedicated multidisciplinary palliative care team.
“As we celebrate the first anniversary of this centre, we take a moment to reflect on our journey, growth, and accomplishments. The past year has been one of dedication, hard work, and passion — a year of serving, empowering, and growing with our community,” commented Dr. Mami Parija, (Chairperson, ADPCT), on this occasion.
The centre has hosted several training programs on palliative care and conducted community outreach initiatives to raise awareness. Through home visits, day care support, patient counselling, doctor consultations, and research activities, the centre now supports hundreds of patients and their caregivers.
We extend our best wishes and may your continued efforts bring comfort, care, and support to those in need.
Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute Receives ESMO Re-accreditation
Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute, Hyderabad has received re-accreditation by the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) for excellence in Pain and Palliative Medicine, making it the only centre in Telangana to earn this prestigious international recognition. This accreditation is valid for the period 2026–2028.
The certificate was received by Dr. Praneeth Suvvari (Consultant and In-charge, Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine,Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute, Hyderabad) during the ESMO Conference held in Berlin, Germany, from 17th to 21st October 2025.
On this occasion, the Institute shared: “This milestone stands as a testament to the visionary leadership and the tireless efforts of the entire team in providing compassionate palliative care.”
The Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) extends its heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the team for their continued excellence and progress in palliative care services.