Published on: February 13, 2015

We are jubilant! One person who contributed most to the recent amendment of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of India was the then Director of Narcotics Control, Mr Rajesh Nandan Srivastava. On the Republic Day of India, 26 January 2015, he was conferred the Presidential Award for Specially Distinguished Record of Service. He had gone way beyond the call of duty to work on this for the people in pain in this country. He had attended the Pain and Policy Fellows Meeting at Madison, Wisconsin, and before that and after that, had worked really hard to make this happen, taking it almost as his personal mission.

At this juncture, we must also mention the contribution of two previous occupants of that chair, Dr M. C. Mehanathan (who did his doctorate thesis on Narcotics Control in India) and Mr P. V. Subba Rao. The current achievement is built on the foundation that they had laid.

Mr Rajesh Nandan Srivastava was recently promoted as Additional Director General, National Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics, and Commissioner In charge of narcotics.

Dear Mr Rajesh Nandan Srivastava, the palliative care community of this country is so grateful for your achievement. We are so glad that after promotion, you are continuing to look after this portfolio also. Best Wishes to you.