NIMHANS-like institutes needed across country: Minister Sharan Prakash Patil
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister Sharan Prakash Patil on Saturday called for renewed efforts and innovation to tackle neurovascular diseases, infections and a widening range of mental health challenges.
Speaking at the 28th convocation of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) here, he acknowledged ongoing and emerging concerns, including a rise in psychiatric and psychological disorders.
Patil said the state government has proposed setting up NIMHANS-like institutes in Mysuru and Kalaburagi to strengthen regional access to specialised care.
"Not only in Karnataka, but NIMHANS-like institutions should be established across the country," the Medical Education Minister said.
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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also attended the event virtually from New Delhi.
Announcing key infrastructure plans, Patil said land provided by the state government, along with approval from the Union Finance Ministry, will enable the construction of a new north campus at Kyalasanahalli, Bengaluru, to function as a polytrauma centre for augmenting critical care services.
He thanked the Finance Minister for sanctioning a new Outpatient Department (OPD) complex at NIMHANS.
He further highlighted the need to address urban mental health issues, maternal and child mental health concerns, teenage suicides, substance use disorders and geriatric mental health services.
Underscoring Karnataka’s role as a partner in neurological care, Patil said the state operates two Tele-MANAS cells at NIMHANS and Dharwad and is implementing the Karnataka Brain Health Initiative (Ka-BHI) with NIMHANS as the apex centre.
The Tele-MANAS (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States) toll-free helpline numbers 14416 or 1-800-891-4416 offer multi-language support and have been pivotal in facilitating communication between callers and mental health professionals.
Launched by the government in October 2022 to enhance mental health service nationwide, the programme operates 51 Tele-MANAS cells across all states and Union territories.
Reassuring the institute and its alumni of continued support, Patil said the state government would remain open to discussion, collaboration and assistance to strengthen mental health and neurosciences in Karnataka and across the country.
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India submits nomination of Meghalaya's living root bridges for UNESCO World Heritage site
Shillong (PTI): India has submitted to UNESCO in Paris the nomination dossier of Meghalaya's living root bridges for consideration to include in the World Heritage list 2026-27, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said on Thursday.
The dossier was handed over by India's Ambassador Vishal V Sharma to UNESCO's World Heritage Centre Director Lazare Assomo Eloundou, a statement said.
"We are hopeful that the living root bridges will be inscribed this year, ensuring that the indigenous communities, the true guardians of this living heritage, receive the global recognition they so richly deserve," Sangma said on X.
While submitting the dossier, Sharma, the Permanent Representative to UNESCO, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and the Meghalaya CM for their support to the nomination, the Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO said in a statement.
Sharma also acknowledged the role of Meghalaya Principal Secretary Frederick Kharkongor, officers of the Archaeological Survey of India, the Ministry of External Affairs, experts and the local communities in safeguarding the property and preparing the nomination.
Located across the southern slopes of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills of the northeastern state, the nominated property represents a living cultural landscape shaped over centuries by indigenous Khasi and Jaintia communities.
"The landscape reflects a deep-rooted and harmonious relationship between people, nature and spirituality, embodied in traditional systems of land use, governance and ecological stewardship," the statement said.
The indigenous worldview underpinning the cultural landscape is anchored in principles of respect, reciprocity and responsibility towards Mei Ramew (Mother Earth), it said.
"The submission of this nomination underscores India's commitment to recognising and preserving living cultural traditions and indigenous knowledge systems, and to advancing global heritage conservation efforts through UNESCO," the statement added.
