During his time working with the government, he played an important role during the drafting of the Mental Healthcare Bill, 2016.
Keshav Desiraju. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
New Delhi: Keshav Desiraju, an IAS officer who formerly served as India’s Union health secretary, passed away on Sunday morning. He was 66.
Desiraju retired as Union secretary in the Department of Consumer Affairs. He had previously worked in a variety of roles – in the Union government as well as the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. He also authored a book on legendary Carnatic singer M.S. Subbulakshmi, titled Of Gifted Voice: The Life and Art of M.S. Subbulakshmi. In 2018, he had co-edited a book with Samiran Nundy and Sanjay Nagral on corruption in the healthcare sector.
During his time working with the government, he played an important role during the drafting of the Mental Healthcare Bill, 2016. After retiring as an IAS officer, Desiraju had continued to work on public health matters in India. He was on the governing board of the Population Foundation of India. He has also been credited with several awareness initiatives undertaken by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Science.
Desiraju was the grandson of the first president of independent India, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. He passed away on his grandfather’s birth anniversary.
Several former colleagues and friends expressed their grief and shared memories of Desiraju on social media. “Keshav Desiraju, grandson of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, was loved and appreciated for his honesty and decency. This set him apart. He was a pillar of strength to many,’’ K. Sujatha Rao, who also served as Union health secretary at a later date, said.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh too fondly remembers his “great friend”.
My dear, dear friend for 57 years, Keshav Desiraju, a most outstanding civil servant has just passed away. What a tragic irony that he left us on the day the country marks the birthday of his grandfather. Keshav has written the definitive biography of M S Subbalaksmi.
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) September 5, 2021
Dr Prabha Chandra, a psychiatrist at NIMHANS, remembered his contributions to building the institution.
Keshav Desiraju was the main driver for NIMHANS to become an institute of national importance. He will be remembered for many pathbreaking initiatives in health including Guidelines for sensitive handling of sexual assault. We have lost a great visionary.
— Prabha Chandra (@globalpmh) September 5, 2021
K. VijayRaghavan, principal scientific advisor to the Government of India, celebrated Desiraju’s ability to have cordial conversations with everyone, even if there was a difference of opinion.
Keshav Desiraju’s sudden, untimely death is shocking. A man of many facets with whom discussions were always collegial no matter how strongly opinions differed. A scholar, whose recent biography of M. S. Subbulakshmi is analytical. insightful. https://t.co/zX7yJgyNbh pic.twitter.com/uQa8N7ZWa2
— Principal Scientific Adviser, Govt. of India (@PrinSciAdvGoI) September 5, 2021
Amitabh Kant, CEO of NITI Aayog, remembered Desiraju as a remarkable human being.
Devastated to hear about the sad demise of Dr Keshav Desiraju, former Health Secretary, GOI. Keshav was a remarkable human being, a professional civil servant, a progressive intellectual & an author of a wonderful book on M.S.Subbulakshmi. Huge loss! RIP
— Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) September 5, 2021
Many who had worked with Desiraju too talked about their experiences.
We take a moment to remember the life of our extremely beloved Mr #KeshavDesiraju - Former Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Long-time Friend, The Banyan and Trustee, Banyan Academy of Leadership in Mental Health (BALM).
— The Banyan (@banyanbalm) September 5, 2021
.#Friend #Supporter #PublicHealth #Equity #Grief pic.twitter.com/vn4fGK1tfr
Deepest condolences....very saddened to learn about Keshav Desiraju-garu ....distinguished civil servant/author/public health professional...& man of gentle wit....shared his time & expertise generously...Om Shanti https://t.co/wInPSKA5cT
— C Uday Bhaskar (@theUdayB) September 5, 2021
We are deeply saddened by the demise of Mr Keshav Desiraju. He was an integral part of the @CPR_India family and his work has inspired generations of scholars at the Centre. His passing is an immeasurable loss to us. Our condolences to his family. https://t.co/WKCaFypbgI
— CPR India (@CPR_India) September 5, 2021
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