Chandigarh, March 25, 2026: To commemorate the work done in the field of mental health by late Prof BS Chavan, NGO ‘Parivartan’ along with Mental Health Institute and Department of Psychiatry, GMCH-32, Chandigarh celebrated “Dr B S Chavan Memorial Rehabilitation Program” here today. Prof. Ravneet Kaur, Director Principal, GMCH-32, Chandigarh was the chief guest for the occasion.
The event commenced with welcome speech by Dr Ajeet Sidana, HOD, Dept of Psychiatry, GMCH-32, Chandigarh. Dr Sidana informed the audience regarding the unique Public Private Partnership (PPP) model initiated by Dr Chavan and how Parivartan since then has been working with Dept of Psychiatry & MHI to offer unique services in the field of mental health. He also highlighted that Parivartan also works in close association with like minded NGOS, District legal services, various universities, Social welfare Dept etc to bring about lasting changes in the lives of persons with mental illness and their caregivers.
Prof. Kaur, spoke about the life and work of Dr. BS Chavan, former Director Principal of GMCH & highlighted how Dr Chavan was known nationally and internationally as a harbinger of initiating innovative services in the field of mental health.
During the event, ‘Dr B S Chavan Memorial Award’ for the year 2026 was conferred to NGO ‘The Banyan’, Chennai for doing commendable work in the field of rehabilitation and community psychiatry in India.
Dr K.V. Kishore Kumar, Director of the NGO ‘The Banyan’ graced the occasion with his kind presence and also enlightened the audience with his talk on “Banyan model of care for homeless mentally ill”. Dr Shikha Tyagi, General Secretary, NGO ‘Parivartan’ gave vote of thanks and a total of 160 persons including persons with mental illness, their caregivers, mental health professionals attended the program.
