Dr. Sudarshan H addresses the convocation and was conferred with Doctorate of Science (D.Sc)

Dr. Sudarshan H was felicitated for outstanding contribution to India’s Health and Development by Voluntary Health Association of India.

2.Dr Sudarshan H was felicitated for outstanding contribution to India’s Health and Development by Voluntary Health Association of India

Motivated by Vivekananda’s teachings, “They along live who live for others, rest are more dead than alive” and often referred to as a tribal Hero, Dr Sudarshan has devoted his entire life for the upliftment of tribal communities which are often overlooked by the government system. His initiative, the Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra, which he set up in 1981, has blossomed into a sustainable tribal development program with few peers anywhere in the country.

Dr. Sudarshan was inspired to become a doctor at a tender age of 12 when he saw his father dying due to lack of proper medical facilities. After getting the medical degree, he decided to work for the tribal communities of Nilgiris. He has incorporated traditional medicine into his own practice as well as in primary health centres. In 1986, Dr.Sudarshan founded the Karuna Trust for “Reaching the Health care to the Unreached”. Karuna Trust provides Primary Health Care through Public Private Partnership to 1.5 Million population in 7 States [Karnataka, Arunachal, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Assam, Orissa and Rajasthan] of India in very remote, hilly and tribal areas. Karuna Trust has made several process and technological innovations for providing cost effective health care services. In his selfless and dedicated service to the tribal communities for more than 40 years, his focus was not limited to improving the healthcare alone but he actively fought for protecting their rights and identity.

Dr H Sudarshan awarded “Healthcare Humanitarian Award” by FICCI on 20th October 2021

List of Awards and Recognitions

    1. Rajyothsava State Award,for social work – 1984. Government of Karnataka.
    2. Vivekananda Seva Puraskar, (National Award)- 1991
    3. Environment Award, Government of Karnataka -1992
    4. Dr B. R. Ambedkar Centenary Award,Government of Karnataka – 1992
    5. KarnatakaState Award for Best Child Welfare Organisation (VGKK) – 1994
    6. Right Livelihood Award (Alternate Nobel Prize)Sweden -1994
    7. International Distinguished Physician by American Association of Physicians of
    8. Indian Origin (AAPI) -1995.
    9. Dr Pinnamaneni &Seethadevi Foundation AwardExcellence in social work -1995
    10. Karnataka Jyothi Award – 1997
    11. Basava Shree Award – 1999
    12. Padmashree Award by President of India – 2000
    13. Human Rights Award 2001
    14. Mahaveer Award – 2001
    15. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Award for VGKK, Govt. of Karnataka – 2002
    16. Krishnadevaraya Award – 2002
    17. Devaraj Urs Award – Government of Karnataka, 2003
    18. Vivekananda Medal – Ramakrishna Mission, 2004
    19. The PHFI Outstanding Achievement Award 2009
    20. Sagar Award for Social Service   : 2009
    21. Stood Second in the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award (BMJ Group): 2009
    22. Citizen Extraordinaire Award (Rotary Club of Bangalore): 2011
    23. Mahaveer Ahimsa Prashasthi (Mahaveer Seva Sansthan, Mysore): 2011
    24. Distinguished Alumnus Award (Bangalore Medical Collage): 2011
    25. Swasthya Bharat Samman (Zee news): 2011
    26. Swami Vivekananda Award – Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi – 2012
    27. Social Impact Award 2012 – Times of India.
    28. Mother Theresa Memorial Award 2013
    29. Chunchashree Award 2014
    30. The Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award, India -2014, Schwab Foundation
    31. International Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award -2015, Schwab Foundation
    32. Ashden Award for Health and Energy, London 2019
    33. Health Care Humanitarian Award
    34. Voluntary Health Association of India – Golden Jubilee Felicitation 2022
    35. Doctor of Science – Ramakrishna Mission 2022