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Reframing Tobacco Prevention Through Youth Engagement and Integrated Care

A social work–led perspective on early intervention, skilling, and mental health systems at ANCIPS 2026 Suneel Vatsyayan , CEO, Vidya Lead Academy and a senior National Executive member of the National Association of Professional Social Workers in India ( NAPSWI ), presented at the 77th Annual Conference of the Indian Psychiatric Society (ANCIPS 2026), held in Delhi from January 28–31, 2026—India’s most prestigious national platform for psychiatry and mental health professionals. His presentation, titled “ Youth Engagement in Tobacco Prevention: Integrated Care and Skilling Before Therapeutic Alliance ,” brought a distinct social work and public health perspective to the psychiatric discourse on tobacco use and mental health. The presentation emphasized youth engagement as a pre-therapeutic intervention, highlighting how integrated care models and skilling initiatives can create accessible mental health spaces even before formal clinical engagement begins. The session underscored the...
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Vidya Lead Academy’s SMART Commitments to WHO’s Global Traditional Medicine Strategy (2025–2034)

Where ethical traditional medicine meets community trust—Vidya Lead Academy’s SMART commitments shaping the future of TCIM. Vidya Lead Academy is pleased to share that its SMART Commitments , submitted as a private, non-State actor , were formally acknowledged during the Closing Ceremony of the Second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine , held in New Delhi on 19 December 2024 . Among sixty global commitments showcased at the Summit, Vidya Lead Academy’s commitment was displayed in the presence of the Honourable Prime Minister of India , the World Health Organization Director-General , and the Honourable Union Ministers for Health & Family Welfare and AYUSH , underscoring India’s leadership in ethical, community-centered Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) . A Commitment Rooted in Safety, Ethics, and Community Care Through its SMART Commitments, Vidya Lead Academy focuses on strengthening the quality, safety, and ethical delivery of TCIM-based addic...
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Leading with Empathy, Backed by Science: Why Social Work Education Must Embrace Prevention & AYUSH

Reimagining Social Work Education in India: Strengthening the NCAHP Curriculum for a Healthier, More Inclusive Future By Vidya Lead Academy India stands at an important public health crossroads. As the nation strives toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) , the role of Medical and Psychiatric Social Workers is rapidly evolving—from traditional support functions to becoming frontline leaders in prevention, behavioural health, community-based engagement, and holistic wellbeing. The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) is currently reviewing the Medical and Psychiatric Social Work Curriculum , and this moment offers a historic opportunity to strengthen the foundations of public health practice in India. At Vidya Lead Academy, we believe the curriculum can be significantly enriched through a deeper emphasis on prevention, AYUSH integration, behavioural health readiness, and non-verbal engagement tools —all of which align powerfully with India’s cultural...
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Fitness Amidst Smog: A Visiting Expert’s Reflection from Delhi NCR

  By V. Shubham, Guest Fitness Expert, Bengaluru Recently, I had the opportunity to be contacted by the team at Vidya Lead Academy during my brief visit to Delhi NCR. I traveled from Bengaluru as a guest fitness expert and had the chance to visit several fitness centers, public parks, and also spend time at the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The enthusiasm for fitness among people here is inspiring, but at the same time, I could not ignore a harsh reality—the alarming air pollution levels. As I prepare to return to Bengaluru later this week, I do so with mixed emotions. The air pollution in Delhi NCR is currently at its peak, and so are the raised voices demanding urgent solutions . Multi-agency responses are increasing, advisories are being issued, and restrictions are being placed. Yet, one sector that feels deeply impacted—though often silently— is the fitness and wellness industry. Outdoor Fitness at Risk, Indoor Becoming a Necessity Outdoor physical activities are now clea...
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Reimagining Development Through Gender-Sensitive Ecosocial Work Practice

...For me, as a practicing social worker, this reaffirmed the value of embracing the unknown. Authentic narratives arise not only from what research already tells us, but from the discoveries we make when we step outside familiar frameworks and genuinely listen to voices that challenge, surprise, or even amuse us. The recent accounts of women in Bihar illustrate this powerfully—their lived experiences cut through political and academic assumptions, shaping a truly authentic, people-led narrative for change ." The 13th Indian Social Work Conference offered many powerful insights, but the session that stayed with me the most was the plenary on “Reimagining Development through Gender-Sensitive Ecosocial Work Practice.” I want to begin by acknowledging Dr. R. Nalini, Professor of Social Work at Pondicherry University , whose paper “Gender Suffering and Structural Inequality: An Ecosocial Analysis of Women in Substance-Affected Families” brought depth, clarity, and compassion to the...
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Caregiving as a Social Workforce: Choice, Joy, or Just Economic Activity?

At Vidya Lead Academy, we believe caregiving is more than a duty or an invisible responsibility—it is the foundation of family well-being and a cornerstone of social development. Yet, society continues to debate whether caregiving is a matter of virtue and joy or merely an economic activity contributing to GDP. There is a big difference between cooking for one’s family out of love and cooking in a commercial kitchen for pay. Similarly, caring for a sick parent, child, or partner at home carries a personal connection that no commercial service can replace. However, when this role is undervalued and unpaid, it often leads to what experts call “ time poverty ,” especially among women. The Unpaid vs. Paid Care Work Dilemma In India, women spend an average of 137 minutes a day on unpaid caregiving, compared to just 75 minutes for men ( MoSPI Time Use Survey 2024 ). This disproportionate burden not only affects women’s mental and physical health but also keeps them away from formal e...
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Khadi and Village Industries: A Pathway to Women’s Empowerment and Stronger Families

Khadi is not just a fabric — it is a fabric of resilience, community, and empowerment. By strengthening women’s entrepreneurship through khadi and village industries, Delhi can reduce the social costs of work, empower women, and nurture families that are both  swasth  (healthy) and  shashakt  (empowered). India’s labour trends present a paradox. While the overall unemployment rate is falling, female youth joblessness remains high. In Delhi, the participation of women in the service sector is shrinking, and average earnings show little improvement. At the same time, the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) has been remarkable—rising from 1.78 lakh in 2022–23 to 4.19 lakh in 2023–24. The story behind this growth highlights both a challenge and a solution. The social costs of going to work —safety, commuting, and the burden of unpaid care—still restrict women’s participation in the workforce. Yet, Khadi and Village Industries in Delhi are demonstrati...
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