Chandrakant Lahariya

Chandrakant Lahariya is an Indian medical doctor, writer and social innovator. His work centers around improving health status and educational attainment of the marginalized and under-served communities through public policy interventions and the development of innovative workable models.

Background and career

Lahariya was trained as physician at University of Delhi, followed by the advanced trainings in Public Health and Policy and Planning. he has worked with Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi [1] and G.R. Medical College, Gwalior in faculty positions. Lahariya has provided consultancy to a number of national and international agencies including the Government of India, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the World Health Organization (WHO). He has written a book and more than 60 highly cited articles for reputed bio-science journals [2-3].

Lahariya has more than 16 years of experience as practitioner of social inclusion and sustainable development through his work, both in personal and professional capacities. Lahariya is credited with introduction of proven health interventions from the decision making to operational planning to implementation to evaluation and then use of the learning for next cycle.

Awards and recognition

Chandrakant Lahariya is credited with a series of 'the youngest' including as the awardee of The Government of India - Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Prof B.C. Shrivastava Foundation Award 2012 and 'Bharat Jyoti Award', amongst other. Lahariya has been referred as one of the most influential Indians under 35 years of age. His opinion is regularly sought on the health issues of international importance [4].

Lahariya has been compared with leading and successful Indians including Dr Maharaj Kishan Bhan and Dr Pukhraj Bafna. A former President of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics wrote about him that "I am impressed with Dr Chandrakant Lahariya for his work and vision to improve child survival in India. Dr Lahariya is a young, immensely talented and highly respected public health professional in India, who has significantly contributed to many activities of IAP including vaccinology courses, Mission Uday and has been a regular contributor to all major activities of IAP for last few years." [5]

Early life

Lahariya was born in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh and reportedly spent first 15 years of life in a village.