Ideas of India Summit 2025: Dr. Pratima Murthy Stresses Need for Collaboration and Funding in Brain Research

At the "Ideas of India" summit, Dr. Pratima Murthy discussed the essential components of successful mind and brain research. She explained that innovative ideas, skilled human resources, and proper infrastructure, such as well-equipped laboratories, are fundamental for research progress. She also emphasized the need for collaboration across various fields, such as physics and technology, to gain a deeper understanding of the brain and its connection to artificial intelligence. While government agencies like ICMR, DBT, and DST provide essential research funding, Dr. Murthy pointed out the significant role of philanthropy in supporting such research. She mentioned the example of the Rohini Nilekani Foundation’s generous contributions to institutions like NIMHANS and NCBS to explore mental health risks. Dr. Murthy underscored the necessity of increased funding due to the immense mental health challenges faced by India’s large population. Furthermore, she stressed the importance of nurturing young researchers and encouraging medical professionals to venture into research. Programs like ICMR’s clinician-researcher initiative are helping bridge this gap, promoting focused research to tackle India’s unique healthcare challenges.