Speakers and Topics

Gajanan Kelkar is the Organizer Member of this International Conference. He has done his M.Tech. from IIT, Powai, Mumbai. After working as Superintendent at MICO, Nashik, he voluntarily joined Manashakti Research Centre, Lonavla as a life-devotee (1983). Currently he is the Managing Trustee and Research Director of Manashakti Trusts.

Under the guidance of Hon. Swami Vijnananand (Founder, Manashakti), he is leading the Prenatal (Garbha Sanskar) Research at international and national level for past 35+ years. His research papers have been published in JOPPPAH (International journal of APPPAH). His other areas of research are Pre-conception and Applications of Bio-Feedback and Neuro-Feedback.

He is a regular presenter at International & National Conferences in India and abroad. He has designed several Bio-Medical Instruments for Psychological Testing. He regularly conducts Workshops on Suprajanan (Super-Procreation), Garbha Sanskar (Prenatal Education-Stimulation), Stress Management and Psycho-Feedback Therapy. He has authored several books and come up with unique CDs in these respective fields.

Thomas R. Verny is a psychiatrist, writer and academic. He has previously taught at Harvard University, University of Toronto, York University, Toronto, St. Mary’s University, Minneapolis, Minnesota and the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute.

In 1981 Verny wrote his second book The Secret Life of the Unborn Child (with John Kelly), which has become an international bestseller published in 27 countries. The Secret Life has changed the pregnancy and childbirth experience for millions of mothers and fathers.

In 1983 Verny founded the Pre- and Perinatal Psychology Association of North America (PPPANA, renamed APPPAH in 1995), and served as its president for eight years.

In 1986 he launched the Association's Journal JOPPPAH, which he edited from its inception until 1990. In 2013 he became once again Editor-In-Chief of the Journal (JOPPPAH).

In 1987 Verny edited Pre- and Perinatal Psychology: An Introduction, published by Human Sciences Press. Verny's next two books were Parenting Your Unborn Child, 1988, and Nurturing the Unborn Child (co-author Pamela Weintraub), 1991. Verny's book, TOMORROW’S BABY: The Art and Science of Parenting from Conception through Infancy, written with Pamela Weintraub, was published in 2002 and in paperback under a new title, PRE-PARENTING: NURTURING YOUR CHILD FROM CONCEPTION in 2003. Pre-Parenting is now available in Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese and Portuguese.

In addition to eight books, Verny is the author or co-author of 47 scientific papers and articles. He has also edited two books; Pre and Perinatal Psychology: An Introduction and Gifts of Our Fathers, a collection of short stories and poetry. Verny’s poetry has appeared in many journals. His collected poems, Cordless, was published by Ekstasis Editions, Victoria, BC, Canada (2014). Verny has participated in more than 250 newspaper, radio and TV interviews. Vision TV, Toronto, Canada, produced a 15-minute special on Verny and his book, Gifts of Our Fathers, in 1996.

Verny's books, professional publications and founding of the PPPANA and the Pre- and Perinatal Journal, have established him as one of the world's leading authorities on the effect of the prenatal and early postnatal environment on personality development. He has lectured and given workshops on Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology throughout Canada, the United States, Europe, South America and Southeast Asia.

In 2004 Mothering Magazine, in recognition of Verny’s contributions to the field of parenting and child rearing, named him one of their “living treasures.” In 2005 the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute bestowed on Verny a Doctorate of Humane Letters (DHL).

Dr. Verny is presently writing a new book on cellular memory. In his spare time he also manages to write short stories and poetry.

Dr. Sanjay Gupte, MD, DGO, FICOG, LLB, FRCOG is a renowned obstetrician & gynecologist practicing in Pune, India. He has a number of accolades to his distinguished career as follows:

• Co-Chair, FIGO Ethics Committee
• President, FOGSI 2010
• President, DIPSI 2013
• National Convener, "Save the Mother & Newborn National Initiative"
• Secretary General, World Gestosis Organization
• Member, Central Supervisory Board of PCPNDT Act
• Member, Ethics Committee, Medical Council India
• Chairman, Ethics Committee of Maharashtra Medical Council
• National Coordinator, National Eclampsia Registry
• Ex. Hon Associate Professor, B J Medical College, Pune
• Director, Gupte Hospital and Center for Research in Reproduction, PG institute for Gynec & Obst
• National Consultant in Medico-legal and ethical Issues in Obst and Gynec

Dr. Mrudula Phadke, Sr. Advisor (UNICEF)

Dr. Mrudula Phadke is a Senior Advisor to NRHM and UNICEF. She is also the Ex-Vice Chancellor of MUHS. She speaks on various topics like-
- Nutrition of Adolescent girls
- Immunization of child
- Health care to pre-mature newborn baby
- Malnutrition of tribal & rural areas
- Strengthen Health facilities for rural & tribal women

Dr. Raylene Phillips, MD, MA, FAAP, FABM, IBCLC
President, APPPAH (Aaociation for Pre & Perinatal Psychology & Health), USA

Raylene Phillips is a neonatologist with a passion for the wellbeing of babies. After raising three children as a stay-at-home mother, she received a master’s degree in Developmental Psychology, became NIDCAP certified as an Infant Developmental Specialist, and then attended medical school at University of California, Davis, graduating in 2004.
Dr. Phillips completed her pediatric residency and neonatology fellowship at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital in Loma Linda, CA and is currently an attending neonatologist in the NICU at the same hospital as well as Medical Director of Newborn Nursery at Loma Linda University Medical Center-Murrieta.
Raylene is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and is a Fellow of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. Her primary area of interest is supporting emotional connections between babies and their parents. Raylene Phillips lives in Redlands, CA.

Head, Neonatology (AIIMS, Jodhpur), National Advisor, RBSK, Child Health

Prof. Dr. Arun Kumar Singh Head, Neonatology (AIIMS, Jodhpur), National Advisor RBSK, Child Health Exploring Journey of First 1000 Days & Beyond through New Wisdom

Dr. Arun Singh is passionate about Advanced Neonatology and Early Intervention for children in the 0-3 year age group.

Dr. Singh was an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Neonatology for the Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research (IPGMER), S.S.K.M. Hospital and the associated Medical College in Kolkata.

Dr. Singh started working alone for development of this neonatal unit, and in 2002 it was declared as the first National Neonatology Forum, India accredited Level-II Neonatal Special Care Unit among Government Hospitals in West Bengal.

During 2003, it was declared as an advanced neonatal unit by the state government with separate teaching staff for Neonatology.

Dr. Singh also has different perspectives and a deep passion for child care, so much so that any conversation on the topic with him is not just informative, but deeply inspirational.

MBBS, DCH, MPH, Ph. D., Head, Reproductive, Child Health & Nutrition, ICMR

Dr Bharati Kulkarni is Senior Grade Deputy Director at National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India. Her research focuses on ways to improve the nutritional status of vulnerable population groups, especially women and children.

She has carried out studies on public health nutrition problems including management of severe acute malnutrition in children, body composition, nutritional interventions to improve maternal nutrition, agriculture-nutrition linkages, and agricultural interventions to improve nutritional status of women and children.

She earned a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA and PhD from Queensland University of Technology, Australia.

Prof. Dr. Tanuja Nesari, MD, Ph.D. (Ayurveda), Director, AIIA

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Sucheta Paranjape, Ph.D. (Sanskrit)

1. Came in the merit list of SSC, with 2 gold medals, 9 prizes and National Open Merit scholarship. Yet, she opted for Arts, as learning and teaching Sanskrit was her goal of life.
2. Topped the university of Pune, at BA and MA.
3. Completed her Ph.D. in Vedic studies.
4. Was a professor of Sanskrit and Indology in TMV .
5. Worked in Bhandarkar Institute of Oriental Sciences, Pune, in the Mahabharata project.
6. Infosys Fellow in Bhandarkar Institute of Oriental Sciences.
7. Taught Sanskrit in Leipzig University, Germany.
8. Taught in Macalester College, St. Paul, USA
9. Worked as India Director for Associated Colleges of Midwest , Chicago.
10. Gave talks on Akashwani and other social platforms, on subjects related to Sanskrit.
11. Wrote many research papers and articles.
12. Edited 2 books and wrote 3 books.
13. Won many prizes and awards, but the most valuable amongst them is that I was honored to become a Fellow of Fergusson College.

She says very humbly that, "Whatever little I could do is only because of गुरुकृपा (due to the grace of her Guru)."

Dr. Prakash Gambhir is a leading geneticist and pediatrician in Pune. He did his MD from B J Medical College (1986). He won the University Prize for standing first in MD Pediatrics. He has his Research training fellowship from Human Genetics Institute, Bremen University, Germany.He runs Birthright Genetic Clinic, a leading institute that works for treating patients suffering from genetic diseases. He has participated in ICMR Task force project in Human Genesis. He has contributed to London Dysmorphology Database. Presently, he is the Vice President and Treasurer of Indian Society for Genetic Screening. He is affiliate member of American Society of Human Genetics. He is also Hon. Professor and Unit Head Department of Pediatrics, B J Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital.

Dr. Shirley Telles, Director, Patanjali Research Foundation in Haridwar, India

Shirley Telles has a degree in conventional medicine (MBBS) after which she completed an MPhil and PhD in Neurophysiology at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in Bengaluru, India. Dr Telles’ MPhil and PhD theses were related to research on the effects of yoga practice and their applications in health and rehabilitation, and she has continued her research in this area since then. After her doctorate she joined the Swami Vivekananda Research Foundation in Bengaluru and had the unique postdoctoral experience of setting up the laboratories there before starting research. Dr Telles received a Fulbright fellowship in 1998 to assess fMRI in meditators, which was conducted at the Department of Radiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA. She has been awarded the first ever Indian Council of Medical Research Center for Advanced Research in Bengaluru to assess the effects of meditation through autonomic and respiratory variables, evoked and event related potentials, polysomnography and fMRI. This was followed by a grant from the Department of Science and Technology to study attention in meditators using high density EEG and event related potentials during fMRI. Since 2007, Dr Telles has been the Director of the Patanjali Research Foundation in Haridwar, India, which is committed to researching the effects of yoga and ayurveda. She has 152 yoga-related publications cited in major research databases, and is first and main author on most of these. Dr Telles has been invited to talk on yoga and its applications in health and treatment across India and internationally, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Norway, Portugal, Serbia, the UK, and the USA. Dr Telles finds that the response to yoga worldwide is interesting and enriching; she is an enthusiastic practitioner of yoga, and believes that yoga research can positively impact all aspects of life.

For more information please visit: https://in.sagepub.com/en-in/sas/author/shirley-telles

Dr. Mahesh Karandikar is a Brain and Spine Surgeon. He has super-specialty training in Neuro-Surgery at the K.E.M Hospital (Mumbai). He did his post-graduation from B.J. Medical College, Pune with top rank. He has taken training in stereotaxy (Computer Guided Brain Surgery) at Christian Medical College, Vellore; training in Neuro-Endoscopy with Prof. Michael Gaab, Germany. He has established a neurosciences research centre at Nashik and presented many research papers and has participated in several workshops- state, national and international conferences and symposia - in India and abroad as faculty, chairperson and speaker. He has keen interest in Indian Philosophy and Yoga and was invited at the First International Conference on Yoga.

Bhushan Patwardhan, Ph.D. (BioChemistry), FNASc, FAMS View the Speaker's Information / Biodata below:

Anna Verwall, RN, CLE is a maternal-child health nurse, conscious conception & birth consultant, primal period educator, midwifery & doula instructor, UCLA certified lactation educator and birth photographer from the Netherlands.

After a long career in various obstetrical and home-health settings she preferred to work with families and babies privately and started her own practice in Los Angeles.

Currently Anna lectures around the world about the long-term effects of the pre,- and perinatal period, the hormonal physiology of childbirth, breastfeeding & bonding and the psychological, emotional & spiritual aspects of birth.

She is a longtime member of APPPAH, the Association of Pre and Perinatal Psychology and Health.

For more information please watch her TEDx talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ6gLGCy84o or visit www.FromWombToWorld.com

Swami Anubhavananda Saraswati, Founder, Sat Bhavana Trust

Swami Anubhavananda Saraswati is a learned and a well-known Vedantic Master world over. He spread the message of “Be Happy”. He has a multi-faceted personality. Swami Anubhavananda is the founder of the SAT BHAVANA TRUST. Its "Mauj Mein Raho" logo imitates his move toward Life – “BE HAPPY”.

Swami Anubhavananda Saraswati, is the Experience of pleasure and joy. Happiness spreads like a divine breeze amongst all who have come in contact with Swamiji.

Swami Anubhavananda Saraswati has been a teacher (an Acharya) at the Sandeepany Sadhanalaya Powai, a Post Graduate Academy for Vedantic Studies. Swami Anubhavananda's personality is so charming and reflects not only on erudite scholars but also on the simple being. He has a great sense of humor. He is polite and sharp. He behaves equally with people of all ages, at home, the kids or teenagers, or middle aged or old aged. He communicates with everybody in a proper attitude and in a simple and direct manner. His words directly speak to the heart and breathe into everyone and show a new life of joy.

Swami Anubhavananda Saraswati is famous for his active and informative discourses on the Bhagvad Geeta, The Upanishads, Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Srimad Bhagavatam, , Panchadasi, Tripura Rahasya, Amrutanubhav,. Swamiji has accomplished various camps for adults and children titled “Mauj Mein Raho”. His discourses and lessons have become direct hits and have made him one of the most sought after speakers on Vedanta.

In India, at some of the leading management and engineering institutes, Swami Anubhavananda Saraswati is also a visiting faculty teaching management, Vedanta and Yoga. He has also been honored with a doctorate degree from the InterCultural Open university of Netherlands.

Ellynne Skove, ICAT, NCC, BC-DMT, PPNE, CBC, E-RYT

Ellynne Skove is a New York state licensed Creative Arts therapist, nationally certified counselor, Board Certified dance therapist, yoga teacher, and Polarity therapist. In 2010 Ellynne completed additional graduate studies in Pre and Peri Natal Psychology at The Santa Barbara Graduate Institute. Additionally she is a PPNE and mentor.

Prof. Vaidya Arpan Bhatt, MD, Ph.D. (Ayurveda), BA (Music)

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Dr. Ulka Natu-Gadam, MD, DGO, D.Y.Ed, Adv.Diploma in Yoga, has worked as a consultant gynaecologist in Thane, Mumbai for the last 25+ years and is the Co-Director of Nest Hospital in Naupada. In 2000, she received a Diploma in Yoga from Ghantali Mitra Mandal, Thane, and in 2004 she qualified for an Advanced Diploma in Yoga from the University of Mumbai.

With Ghantali Mitra Mandal, Thane, she is the Director of its Prajnana Yoga Anusandhana Kendra and the Chief Health Advisor of its Niranjan Yoga Swasthya Kendra. She has assisted in the conduct of a number of health-oriented yoga camps and programs organized by Ghantali Mitra Mandal.

Dr. Natu is the author of two books, Yoga for Health, Healing and Harmony (H3 Yoga) with Swami Satyakarmananda of Ghantali Mitra Mandal, and Yoga for Pregnancy. She has made numerous presentations of research papers at national and international conferences into the effects of yogic practices on pregnancy, infertility, menstrual disorders, and anxiety related disorders. Over the last two decades, Dr. Natu has made regular appearances on various television programs in relation to yoga and health.

Dr. Vikrant Bhor

Scientist E Email: [email protected] Phone: +(91-22) 2419-2016 Department: Molecular Immunology and Microbiology Research Interests Host-Pathogen Interactions Microbial Biofilms Microbiome-Immune Axis Congenital Infections RTIs, STIs and HIV

For more information please visit: https://nirrch.res.in/scientist/vikrant-bhor/

Amita Dharmadhikari,Ph.D. (Statistics) Biodata

Name : Amita Avinash Dharmadhikari

Education : M.Sc. PH. D in Statistics

Retired as Professor and Head of Statistics Department from a college in Pune Completed many research projects with Manashakri Research Center Lonavala on Janmpurv Sanskar, Suprajanan , DASII .

Received grant from University Grants Commission (UGC) for a major research project about DASII.

Published Research papers in National and International Journals, some of which are based on work done with Manashakti.

Wrote columns In Sakal newspaper during 2006 -2009.
Wrote various article series and stories for magazines Maher, Menaka.
Ramakrishna Math Publication has published edited Biography of Swami Vivekanand.

Wrote short biographies of Newton and Sant Gadage Maharaj foe audiobook Storytel.
Translated English book ‘Cheating Covid’ into Marathi
Wrote a book Statistics in Marathi which is published by Bookganga publications in March 2024.

Prof. Ranjeet Bhogal, Ph.D. (Psychology)

Recipient of prestigious Shivram Apte prize for Sanskrit from Fergusson College and merit scholarship for his Post Graduate studies in Psychology at Pune University, Dr. Bhogal joined Kaivalyadhama’s Scientific Research Department in 1987 and was merit selected to the post of Research Officer in 1992.

Kaivalyadhama’s spiritual climate & encouraging ambience honed further his expertise of communicating meditation. He also worked as Managing Editor of the Research Quarterly Yoga Mimamsa for over a decade. Currently he is Editor in Chief of Yoga Mimamsa. He has worked as Principal of Kaivalyadhama’s G. S. College of Yoga & Cultural Synthesis (2004-13).

His research interest includes exploration into psycho-physiological & neuro-psychological perspectives of experiential phenomena of Yoga & Meditation for effective Stress Management & enhancement of Emotional Intelligence, towards a holistic Personality development. He has over hundred research & scientific papers published in many reputed research journals.

He has authored seven published books, including “Yoga and Mental Health” (apart from English this book has been published in Hindi, Gujarati, Chinese, Korean, Bulgarian, Brazilian Portuguise, German and Tiwanese) and “Yoga Psychology and Beyond” (Published in English and German).

Dr. Bhogal has travelled in many cities across Asia, America and Europe for lectures / talks / workshops to spread the classical message of Yoga and Meditation.

Recipients of many awards and accolades, nationally and internationally, he has recently, been nominated for the prestigious award, “Yoga Ratna Puruskar” for his achievements in Yoga

Dr. Aruna Narvekar, MBBS, DGO, DFA is an alumni of KEM & Wadia Hospitals, Mumbai.

She has written a book on prenatal development namely 'A New Way To Prenatal Education'.

She has been associated and actively involved with Manashakti Research Center, Lonavla since last 35 years. She is especially very actively involved in Manashakti 'Project Prenatal'.

She regularly conducts lectures, seminars, workshops & counseling on following topics:

• Pre-Conception
• Prenatal Education (Garbha Sanskar)
• Post-natal Education
• Brain Revolution for kids & parents
• Emotional Management & Parenting
• Mental & Physical Health during teenage & adolescence
• Modern-day Nutrition & Diet
• Holistic Health
• Disease Cure
• Stress Management

Dr. Samprasad Vinod, Director, Maharshi Vinod Research Foundation

Through personal Spiritual Sadhana and rich spiritual, intellectual heritage from parents, he has experienced the highest state of consciousness.

His father Maharshi Nyayaratn Vinod was the World Peace Ambassador and mother Maitreyi was a great Sanskrit scholar and Educationist. She topped the SSC exams held in 1926, in Bombay Province.

Dr. Samprasad Vinod is a well-known international Yoga Guru of high repute.
Founder-Director of ‘Maharshi Vinod Research Foundation’ with 40 + years of experience in the Training, Treatment and Research in yoga.

Published author of 14 books with several editions and about 30-40 are in pipeline for publication.
Has written hundreds of popular articles in the leading newspapers, weekly and monthly magazines for common people from India and other countries, which are highly appreciated by the readers.
Second edition of his book ‘Nine Secrets of Successful Meditation’ has been published by the Watkins Publishing, a leading publishing house from UK. It is also available in Portuguese.
Has been living and teaching Yoga as a ‘Way of Life’ for inner transformation and for developing ‘Right Attitude’ towards life.

Has been invited to numerous workshops, seminars, research conferences and symposia as Main Speaker, Chairperson, Guest of Honor and Resource Person in India and other countries like USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy, etc.
Has appeared on BBC France and Ireland

Advisor, Member of many leading Yoga Institutes like Kaivalyadhama from India and Yoga Therapy Ireland, Samatol from Reunion; France, Yoga for Health and Education Trust, UK.
Hon. Member of Dept of Physical Education, Savitribai Phule Pune University and of Sientific Advisory Committee Ramkumar Rathi Patanajali Yoga Chair (SPPU)

Originator and proponent of the unique concepts/practices like Shavasan-Meditation, Meditation-Meditative Way of Doing Yoga Postures-Meditative Way of Living, Swanand Sahayog Sadhana and Atmabodh-Sadhana.

Recipient of several awards for his outstanding contribution to the field of Yoga- FIE Foundation National Award, Yoga Maharshi Award, Life Time Achievement Award by Suryadatta Group of Institutes, Ankur Jeevan Gaurav Sahitya Puraskar, Yogaratna and Vijayashri, to name a few.

Has been felicitated 300+ times at national and international levels.
Has given Special Training to Maharashtra Cricket Ranji Team and Arjun Award Winner and current captain of Indian Women’s Team Harmanpreet Kaur. Also, provided Yoga Training to the Thialand Women’s Cricket Team. Professional Tennis, Badminton, Shooting, Chess players also come to him for guidance.

Communication: Shanti Mandir, 2100 Sadashiv Peth, Pune-411030. Tel: +9102024338120/24330661.

Director and Founder of Sneh RERC, Director of WICCI and Director of Heartfulness Institute.
Divya Janani means “Divine Motherhood.” It is a fertility enablement program offered by the Heartfulness Institute, for couples who aspire to parenthood.

This involves combining heart-based meditation practices with scientific elements to address a large part of the issues around infertility. We develop a positive, loving and accepting environment, by relieving stress and negativity, and creating coherence and acceptance.In this workshop, we work with the attitude of the couple.

Research Paper : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10562913/



PT; MIAP:C/NDT;PGDHHM SI (Certified by USC/WPS)
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Visiting Consultant- Pediatric Rehab- DR L H Hiranandani Hospital- Mumbai Visiting Consultant- ASCC- Artemis Special children Centre- Gurgaon Visiting Consultant- Wockhardt Hospitals Mira Road Visiting Consultant- Synapses PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY CENTRE; Thane Visiting Consultant-Care Continum Kolkata Includer|Strategic|Developer|Restorative|Learner W: sneh.org.in E: [email protected] LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dr-snehal

Dr. Vaishali J. Dabke has completed her Ph.D. in Sanskrit from the University Of Mumbai. Her Ph.D. thesis was entitled as "Karman - from Ritual to Philosophy (with special reference to five Vedantic Acarya-s)".

She has 19+ years of rich experience in Undergraduate Teaching and 8 years of Post Graduate Teaching experience. She has presented 9 research papers in state and national level seminars. She has 100+ articles published in several magazines. She is the co-author of 3 books namely “Chala Sanskrit Shiku Ya” (2 Editions), “Sankaracharyanche Yogdaan” and “Gayatri Paramo Mantrah” (2 Editions).

Her research project entitled "Stotra-s of Sankaracarya – A critical study" has also been submitted to the The Asiatic Society of Mumbai for Fellowship in Indology.

She has also performed in 50 shows of the Dance Drama titled “Durga Zali Gauri” produced by “Chandrashala”, Avishkar in year 1986-87. She has passed four levels of Hindustani Classical Music conducted by “Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal”.

Geetesh Kulkarni, M.Sc. (Yoga), Research Associate
Life Devoted Seeker, Manashakti Research Centre, Lonavla

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