Late Dr. K A Ashok Pai, ( 30.12.1946 – 29.9.2016) was an eminent psychiatrist, film maker, orator, media personality and philanthropist. After his training in Nimhans, he worked as an assistant professor of psychiatry at KMC Manipal before joining Government service briefly.
At a time where mental illnesses were treated with disdain and treatment restricted to faith healing, he started Manasa in the then remote taluk head quarters of Shimoga. His passion being rural nd community psychiatry, he worked extensively in helping reduce the stigma and superstition associated with mental illness. Through his columns in leading kannada and english magazines, newspapers, talks on All India Radio and various TV networks, producing films and tv serials about mental illnesses, he earned a niche for himself among the community and the doctors as a person committed to the cause of mental health.
Most of his books and movies have earned national and international awards and have been screened in various foreign film festivals.
For his yeoman service to the field of psychiatry, he has been conferred many awards and honors. Notable among them are the National B C Roy award,Karnataka rajyotsava award, Ativishisht chikitsa national medal, Aryabhata award, Dr S Jayaram Award, Horanadu kannadiga award, and many more.
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