PRASHO fetes AIIMS neurologist with Gudlavalleti memorial award
Award honours young neurologists and researchers who demonstrate academic excellence, significant contributions to the field
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Hyderabad: The Pragyaan Sustainable Health Outcomes (PRASHO) Foundation, along with the Gudlavalleti family, conferred the Dr Aashrai Sai Venkat Gudlavalleti Memorial Award (Neurological Sciences) 2026 on Dr Lokesh Saini, Associate Professor of Pediatric Neurology and Assistant Dean (Research) at All India Institute of Medical Sciences Jodhpur.
The award was presented during a felicitation ceremony held on March 12 at the Kapil Kavuri Hub. Instituted in memory of Dr Aashrai Sai Venkat Gudlavalleti, the award honours young Indian neurologists and neurological researchers who demonstrate academic excellence and significant contributions to neurological sciences. Dr Aashrai, remembered for his compassionate patient care and dedication to scientific progress, passed away in 2024.
Addressing the gathering, R Govindhari, Chairperson of the Pragyaan Sustainable Health Outcomes Foundation, said the memorial award was envisioned not only as a tribute to Dr. Aashrai’s legacy but also as a sustained platform to recognise and support emerging neurologists and researchers across India.
Delivering a special address, Tarak Nadh, CEO and Head of Neurology at Amarvathi Institute of Medical Sciences, highlighted the historical challenges faced by neurological research in India. Reflecting on the 1980s, he noted that clinicians in the country often relied on Western evidence to treat neuroinfectious diseases despite India bearing a significant disease burden. He emphasised the importance of generating indigenous research to guide clinical practice and said awards such as the Gudlavalleti Memorial Award encourage high-quality scientific work within the country.
The event began with an inaugural address by Deborah Bradshaw from SUNY Upstate Medical University, who shared personal recollections of Dr Aashrai Gudlavalleti and reflected on his dedication to neurology and patient care.
As part of the ceremony, Dr Lokesh Saini delivered the Dr Aashrai Gudlavalleti Memorial Award Oration, presenting his research work on movement disorders in paediatric neurology. The award citation and cheque were presented by P Visalakshi, Dr Aashrai’s mother and a member of the foundation’s Board of Directors.
