BioVoice News April 2017 Issue 11 Volume 1 | Page 68

bio personality Former health secretary, Keshav Desiraju joins PFI as its chairperson Former Union Health Secretary, Mr Keshav Desiraju, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Governing Board of the Population Foundation of India (PFI). Mr Desiraju has recently retired from a career with the Indian Administrative Service and in 2013 was Secretary, Health & Family Welfare to the Government of India. He continues to remain engaged with issues in public health, particularly mental illness and mental health, primary health care and community health, and serves on the board of several non-profit organizations in the sector. He has a Masters degree in Economics from the University of Cambridge and a Masters degree in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. About the appointment, Executive Director of PFI Poonam Muttreja says, “PFI is both privileged and extremely fortunate to have Mr Keshav Desiraju as PFI’s Chairperson. His experience in a range of sectors, especially as Union Health Secretary, will greatly compliment and strengthen PFI’s programmes.” India’s renowned agriculture scientist, Dr M S Swaminathan conferred honorary D. Litt by University of Mumbai The President of India, Mr Pranab Mukherjee conferred honorary D. Litt on Dr M S Swaminathan at a special convocation of the University of Mumbai on March 17, 2017 in Mumbai. Speaking on the occasion, the President said it was a rare opportunity for him to confer the Honorary D. Litt. of University of Mumbai upon Dr M S Swaminathan. The University of Mumbai, whose alumni include Mahatma Gandhi has always recognized 68 BioVoiceNews | April 2017