My Story

The person who gave me my drive is my mother. A well-educated teacher, she lived in a small under-the-staircase room yet refused to be defined by it. She held on to her aspirations and taught me to focus on the next step toward a better future. She saved what little she could to nurture my love for books.

I almost did not become a psychiatrist because rigid regulations blocked access. In Mumbai, there were only a handful of psychiatry seats for over 500 medical students, including one reserved for out-of-state candidates that remained unclaimed. Determined to pursue psychiatry, I challenged the rule in high court. The ruling reshaped national law.

I chose to become a psychiatrist because it unites humanity and cutting-edge science: seeing the person as a whole while exploring the psychological, biological, and social dimensions of mental health. That fusion of scientific rigor and human purpose continues to fascinate me. It fills me with pride and a sense of wonder that I hope every psychiatrist can feel.

Running reminds me that real progress is rarely a sprint. It requires persistence, passion, and purpose along with the humility to adapt when plans change. Leadership is no different: I approach it with endurance, conviction, and the belief that success is collective.

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My Journey

Successful High Court Legal Challenge Right to Specialise in Psychiatry (1992)

Secured the right to specialise in Psychiatry through a High Court legal challenge, marking the beginning of my professional journey in Psychiatry in Mumbai.

100 Cases in Psychiatry – Undergraduate Psychiatry

Authored 100 Cases in Psychiatry, presenting 100 clinical scenarios from hospital and community settings to help students and junior doctors develop diagnostic and management skills in Psychiatry.

Establishing Postgraduate Psychiatry Training - Zambia

Contributed to the development of the first postgraduate Psychiatry training programme at the University Teaching Hospital, Zambia.

National Professional Recognition

Awarded as:

RCPsych Educator of the Year (2017)
BAPIO Doctor of the Year (2024)

Elected Royal College of Psychiatrists Dean (2021)

Elected Dean of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, leading national education and training strategy.

Data and Digital Literacy Framework for Psychiatrists

Developed a national framework to support psychiatrists in becoming data and digitally literate to better serve their local populations.

Comrades Ultramarathon (87 km)

Completed the Comrades Ultramarathon to raise funds for Doctors in Distress and advocate for clinician wellbeing.

Public Health Presidential Medal (2025)

Awarded the Presidential Medal in recognition of fostering closer collaboration between the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the UK Faculty of Public Health.

Research Fellowship – University of Birmingham (Molecular Genetics)

My introduction to research and academia in the UK. This fellowship led to a seminal publication that was translated into Turkish and Japanese.

Masters in Clinical Education (MMed)

Awarded distinction for a dissertation on Experiential Learning in Psychiatric Education, advancing innovative approaches to medical training.

Associate Dean for Trainee Support

Led initiatives addressing differential attainment, including the development of the evidence-based EQiT programme (Embedding Courageous, Compassionate, Cross-Cultural Conversations in Training).

Land’s End to John o’Groats – 1,000 Mile Cycle Ride

Completed a 1,000-mile cycle across the UK to raise funds and awareness for Doctors in Distress.

Queen’s Baton Bearer – Commonwealth Games (2022)

Selected as one of the official Queen’s Baton Bearers in recognition of leadership and community contribution.

Expert Patient Toolkit – Launched at the House of Lords (2025)

After 17 years pioneering Patients as Expert Teachers in medical education, spearheaded the national launch of the Expert Patient Toolkit at the House of Lords.

Public Mental Health Leadership Course – RCPsych

Launched the RCPsych Public Mental Health Leadership (PMHL) Certification course, a hybrid e-learning and webinar programme empowering clinicians to champion population-based mental health approaches.