The Leprosy Mission Trust India

29/10/2025

What do we mean when we say, ‘mental health problem’? What are the red flags that one should not neglect? How can we ‘rewire’ our brain to be more empathetic and less judgmental?

Our next episode of TLM Open Circle is dedicated to understanding the nuances in mental health. Here is a glimpse of what to expect!

22/10/2025

At least 30 champions from four states converged a for the National Workshop for Leprosy Champions on the final day of the Purple Fest Goa. The event saw a line-up of disability sector experts addressing the champions.

Jayashree Kunju, a leprosy champion herself, encouraged the audience to raise voice to any wrong or unjust practices that they witness without considering themselves too small to make an impact.

Nidhi Goyal, the founder of Rising Flame, spoke of different approaches to doing advocacy and recommended getting all other disabilities on board to identify synergies in advocacy efforts.

Shruti Pushkarna, a disability inclusion expert and a former journalist, pressed upon the fact that society needs help in changing its perception of disability, and unless we do that collectively, people with disabilities will not be able to find a place in offices, schools, colleges and everywhere else, which is our right.

Ritika Sahni from TRINAYANI enthralled the audience with her song on the importance of identifying our potential and pursue it to our best abilities without worrying about the results and gains.

Mamta Verma from Sangath India—an organisation working on mental health—shared about the common signs of mental health issues, ways to retain control over one’s mental health and approach towards recovery.

Satish Sawant—President of Apanga Leprosy Punarvasan Va Yuvak Sangathan in Pune— harped on the importance of persistence in advocacy and also going deep into the problem to understand scale and nature of any issue for which people want to advocate.
Several champions took the stage to explain their journey and their work in the communities.

We are truly grateful to the speakers for their insights and words of encouragement!!

20/10/2025

16/10/2025

Why do millions go hungry when the world is producing enough? How does this problem play out for people with different levels of vulnerabilities? Do policies recognise that ‘beneficiaries’ are not a homogenous group and nor are their needs? How do we even begin to break siloed thinking and design inclusive policies?

On , we present to you many such strands of thought that emerged during our conversation with Mr. Parvinder Singh, Head of Communications and Media, UN World Food Programme in India.

His riveting insights will nudge you to think about food security and nutrition, and that is the very purpose of TLM Open Circle—an inclusive space for meaningful conversations that nudge people to think deeply and differently!

Do let us know your thoughts!

Close to 300 million people globally are either hungry or food insecure. This does not augur well for the world looking to meet the Sustainable Development G...

15/10/2025

We are happy to see the response to the awareness sessions we organised at the Purple Fest Goa. We requested visitors to try a quiz on leprosy and see how much they know about one of the 21 types of disabilities recognised in India. From government officials to police personnel and from people with different disabilities to students across states, we received almost 300 signups for the quiz. They responded to the quiz, were thrilled to see correct answers, and enquired about leprosy whenever they had doubts.

Even the snakes & ladder game we played on the lawn drew sizable number of participants. It was fun to see the enthusiasm among people when it comes to throwing the dice high in the air. Yet, they did not take their eyes off the board on the ground because that was where the information on diagnosis, treatment and self-care was given.

We look forward to such opportunities where we can engage with and inform people about leprosy!

13/10/2025

The world produces enough to feed everyone, but then why is it that millions still go hungry. Why do people affected by leprosy and other disabilities get excluded from the food safety nets?

On Oct 16, which is the World Food Day, we will present to you some stark data, unpack policy challenges and share a few case studies that will nudge you to think.

Do stay tuned to watch the full conversation with Mr Parvinder Singh - Head of Communications and Media at the UN World Food Programme

10/10/2025

Today is Mental Health Awareness Day. Let’s talk about a silent crisis.
Leprosy (Hansen's Disease) is often viewed as a physical ailment, but its true cost is borne by mental health.
The triple burden of physical deformities, intense social stigma, and discrimination leads to staggering rates of depression, anxiety, and chronic stress among those affected. Isolation and difficulty participating in daily life only deepen these invisible wounds.

We must address the whole person. Integrated, compassionate care is non-negotiable.
This means:
✅ Early mental health screening.
✅ Consistent psychological counseling.
✅ Integrated support within rehabilitation.

Mental health support isn't a luxury; it's a fundamental part of leprosy care. Let's look beyond the physical and commit to healing the minds and hearts of our most vulnerable communities.

Stand with us to end the stigma and champion integrated care.
International Purple Fest, Goa

Pic credit Tom Bradley

02/10/2025

On the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi—the man who advocated for care and compassion towards people affected by leprosy—we present to you the very first episode of TLM Open Circle. In this inaugural episode, we discussed not just leprosy and its several dimensions but also looked at unique initiatives that India has been taking to control disease transmission.

Dr Anil Kumar, Principal Advisor, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Government of India, has been spearheading several initiatives under the National Leprosy Eradication Program, and it was wonderful listening to his ideas on how India can fight leprosy to the end.

We hope you enjoy listening to the conversation, as much as we did. Our objective is to make TLM Open Circle an inclusive space for conversations that nudge you to think differently and deeply!

TLM Open Circle is supported by Rotary Club Delhi South

In the inaugural episode of the TLM Open Circle, Dr Anil Kumar, Principal Advisor at the National Centre for Disease Control, Government of India, explains t...

01/10/2025

We all long for an inclusive space—where conversations inspire us to think differently, feel deeply, and act with compassion.
The Leprosy Mission Trust India has created just that with its brand-new podcast: TLM’s Open Circle, supported by Rotary.
In this unique space, experts and grassroots practitioners come together to share insights, break myths, and spark new ways of seeing health and humanity. Our very first episode features Dr. Anil Kumar, Principal Advisor, NCDC, Government of India, as he sheds light on issues that impact us all.

Here’s a glimpse of what’s coming tomorrow—an eye-opening discussion on leprosy and public health you won’t want to miss.

🎧 Stay tuned—launching tomorrow!

25/09/2025