The Ranchi Institute of Neuro Psychiatry and Allied Sciences (RINPAS), a premier mental health institute under the Jharkhand government, has completed a century of service in the field of psychiatry and allied sciences. The centenary celebrations were inaugurated on Thursday by Chief Minister Mr. Hemant Soren in the presence of several dignitaries and mental health experts.
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Dignitaries Grace the Centenary Ceremony
The celebration witnessed the participation of Union Minister of State for Defence Mr. Sanjay Seth, Jharkhand Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari, Kanke MLA Mr. Suresh Kumar Baitha, former Union Minister Mr. Subodhkant Sahay, and Congress leader Mr. Rajesh Thakur. The ceremony commenced with the lighting of lamps, symbolizing hope and progress in mental health care.
On the occasion, Director of NIMHANS Bengaluru, Dr. Pratima Murthy, Additional Chief Secretary of Health Department Mr. Ajay Kumar Singh (1995-batch IAS officer), Development Commissioner and Chairman of the Managing Committee of RINPAS Mr. Avinash Kumar, and RINPAS Director Dr. Amul Ranjan Singh also shared their perspectives on the institute’s remarkable journey.
CM Launches Tele Mental Health and Digital Academy
Chief Minister Mr. Hemant Soren unveiled the Tele Mental Health (Video Conferencing) Service and the RINPAS Digital Academy to enhance accessibility of mental health services in Jharkhand and beyond. A special postage stamp dedicated to RINPAS’s 100-year legacy was also released. The dignitaries launched a documentary and souvenir chronicling the century-long journey of the institute. Retired directors and professors of RINPAS were felicitated for their invaluable contributions.
Technical Session with Global Experts
The centenary event included a technical session where renowned mental health professionals from India and abroad presented lectures. Dr. Baxi Neeraj Prasad Sinha, Deputy Medical Director of National Health Sciences, England, delivered a lecture on “Roadmap of Psychiatry: Past, Present and Future.” Other eminent speakers included Prof. Devvrat Kumar of NIMHANS Bengaluru, Prof. Sonia P. Deuri of Tezpur, Dr. Nimesh Desai, former Director of IHBAS New Delhi, and Dr. Julie Galland from France.
Strengthening Mental Health Infrastructure in Jharkhand
RINPAS’s centenary reflects Jharkhand’s commitment to strengthening mental health infrastructure and ensuring wider access to psychiatric services. The launch of tele-mental health initiatives and a digital academy is expected to bridge gaps in mental health care, bringing specialized services to remote areas and addressing long-standing challenges in the sector.