New Delhi, June 2026: The International Film and Television Research Centre (IFTRC), under the leadership of Dr. Sandeep Marwah, President of IFTRC and Chancellor of AAFT University of Media and Arts, has announced the nomination of Dr. Roop Chand Sidana for the prestigious IFTRC Research Award in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to society through his pioneering work in psychiatry, mental health advocacy, and human-centered healthcare.
Announcing the honour, Dr. Sandeep Marwah stated: “Dr. Roop Chand Sidana is not merely a distinguished psychiatrist; he is an institution in himself. For more than four decades, he has dedicated his life to healing minds, restoring dignity, and building a compassionate framework for mental healthcare in India. His remarkable journey from the roots of spirituality to the frontiers of healing makes him a true national treasure and a worthy recipient of the IFTRC Research Award.”
For 43 uninterrupted years, Dr. Roop Chand Sidana has stood among the most respected and influential psychiatrists in North India. Entering the field during a time when mental health remained heavily stigmatized, he embraced a mission that would define his life:
“No human being should suffer alone.” Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Sidana has consistently translated this belief into action. His achievements include:
- Pioneering the introduction of neuromodulation (rTMS) therapies in Rajasthan.
- Promoting community psychiatry long before it became a national healthcare priority.
- Delivering the prestigious Dr. N.N. Wig Oration, one of Indian psychiatry’s highest academic honours.
- Representing India at international psychiatric forums in Melbourne and Prague.
- Developing ethical, accessible, and dignity-centered models of psychiatric care.
- Conducting free psychiatric OPDs and outreach services for underserved communities.
- Leading addiction recovery initiatives, rural mental-health programs, and family-support interventions.
- Mentoring generations of psychiatrists who continue to shape the future of mental healthcare in India.
His contribution extends far beyond medicine. He transformed psychiatry into a movement of empathy, proving that healing is not only about treating illness but about restoring hope, confidence, and human dignity.
Thousands of patients remember Dr. Sidana not only for his clinical expertise but for his kindness, patience, and unwavering commitment to humanity. He became a source of comfort for those battling emotional suffering, often treating individuals who lacked financial resources, family support, or hope. His practice became a sanctuary where compassion, ethics, and dignity remained non-negotiable values.
The values Dr. Sidana lived by also shaped his family and inspired a new generation of leadership. He nurtured an environment where empathy, equality, courage, and service became guiding principles.
That legacy continues through his daughter, Dr. Aninda Sidhana, a distinguished Consultant Psychiatrist, Psychosexual Medicine Specialist, SDG Ambassador, IPS leader, and Global Goodwill Ambassador.
Transforming personal adversity into social impact, Dr. Aninda Sidhana has emerged as a leading voice in mental-health rights, gender justice, and survivor-centered systems reform. Through innovative initiatives such as WINGS, Flip the Script, M.A.N.H.O.O.D., and Aawaz, she is helping reshape India’s conversations around mental health, leadership, empathy, and social transformation.
Where Dr. Roop Chand Sidana spent four decades healing minds, Dr. Aninda Sidhana is rebuilding systems to create a more compassionate society. The Sidana Legacy is not merely the story of a doctor and his daughter. It is a story of service, vision, resilience, and nation-building.
It represents: A father who devoted 43 years to healing India. A daughter shaping the future of mental-health leadership. A family committed to dignity, compassion, and social responsibility. A legacy that seamlessly combines clinical excellence with profound humanity.
Recognizing this extraordinary contribution, IFTRC proudly nominates Dr. Roop Chand Sidana for the IFTRC Research Award, celebrating a lifetime dedicated to advancing psychiatric care and improving countless lives.
Accepting the honour, Dr. Roop Chand Sidana expressed his gratitude and said: “This recognition is deeply humbling. My journey has always been guided by the belief that every individual deserves understanding, dignity, and access to compassionate mental healthcare. I dedicate this honour to my patients, colleagues, family, and all those who continue working tirelessly to remove the stigma surrounding mental illness. The work must continue until mental health becomes a fundamental right for every citizen.”
Concluding the announcement, Dr. Sandeep Marwah remarked: “From the roots of spirituality to the frontiers of healing, Dr. Roop Chand Sidana has healed minds while inspiring generations. Today, through the remarkable work of Dr. Aninda Sidhana, that legacy continues to rebuild systems and transform society. Together, they represent India’s quiet revolution of empathy, service, and human excellence.”
