Mumbai, 21 February 2025: “One in ten people suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder. “, says “, says Dr. Pratima Murthy, Director, NIMHANS at ABP Network’s Ideas of India 2025.
Speaking at the session, “The Frontiers of Science: Knowing the Unknown”, Dr. Pratima Murthy, elaborated, “Mental health is like any other disorder, and recognizing it is crucial. Mental and physical health often coexist, making awareness even more important. The human mind continues to surprise us. Advances in genetics and brain imaging can significantly aid mental health treatment, but strong collaboration between the government and scientists is essential. The magnitude of mental health challenges is vast, so we must work together and encourage young minds to enter this field”
Dr. Shubha Tole, Neuroscientist and Professor at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, talking about the importance of research, said “Research opens minds. It’s the art of asking questions, and through this process, we uncover profound insights. Who better to solve a problem than a mind trained in research? I am amazed by the unexpected creativity of students. They come from various backgrounds, yet they find ways to tap into their creativity. My lab is like a neural network that helps them. What impresses me is the creativity of the human mind.”
Talking about research funding, Dr. Tole, added, “I want to thank the taxpayers—much of our funding comes from them. The challenge isn’t a lack of funds but proper management. We struggle to retain the best minds because of positioning, and passionate researchers often have to wait. Timely disbursal of funds is the real issue.”
Dr. Jahnavi Phalkey, Founding Director of Science Gallery, Bangalore, also talked about the state of research funding in our country. She said, “Our funding system is skewed and laced with bureaucratic hurdles. The funding landscape is poorly developed and needs to be strengthened. We also need to rethink the direction of research.”
