About Us

This is the page where we will describe ourselves in more detail.

Shakuntala

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Ajai

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Dr Ajai R. Singh M.D.

Consulting Psychiatrist at Aditi Hospital, Mulund, Mumbai, India. He has earlier been a Senior Research Fellow,W.H.O.Collaborating Center in Psychopharmacology in India. He is a founder of the Mens Sana Research Foundation ( http://mensanamonographs.tripod.com ) and Editor of Mens Sana Monographs www.msmonographs.org . Also Co-author of the book Psychiatry, Science, Religion and Health [for details http://www.msmonographs.org/showBackIssue.asp?issn=0973-1229;year=2004;volume=2;issue=1;month=January-December ] released in Oct, 2004 and many other monographs since. He has also written a book on music: The Swara Sampada Sourcebook on Music ISBN 81-901406-2-0 released in Feb. 2005. He is Founder President of Mulund Medico Sports Club which conducts sports tournaments all over Mumbai and Maharashtra . He is also Founder President of Swara Sampada ( http://swarasampada.tripod.com ) whose mission is to convert bathroom singers into living room singers, and living room singers into stage singers. He is a Fellow of the Indian Psychiatric Society; Vice-President, Maharashtra Chapter of Indian Association of Private Psychiatry; Chairman, Mental Health Awareness [2005-2008], IPS West Zone; and was on the Board of Directors and then President 2007-2008, Rotary Club of Mulund Hills, Dist 3140 . He has also a member of the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME).

Influences

Ajai has been profoundly influenced by his father Shri R.C. Singh, a man of modest means, who had an abiding interest in ghazals and quality literature. And went out of his way to help people. His other influence was his guruji in music, Shri Vinayak Kunte, who was a uncompromising teacher of hindustani classical music. His school principal, Ms S. Sampson, treated him like her son and mentored him through his school and college days. From his teachers in medical school, one who influenced him with his passion for psychiatry was Prof V.N. Bagadia, prof of psychiatry at G.S. Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, a committed exponent of the benefits of psychiatry, psychotherapy and psychosomatic medicine.

Mahatma Gandhi's thought has been an abiding interest, and he finds Sri Aurobindo's and Gurudev Tagore's writings profound. The personalities of Rama and Christ hold a special appeal for their selflessnes. He holds a special fascination for the pillars of science like Newton, Galileo, Einstein. Charles Dickens, P. G. Wodehouse and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle have been his favourite authors.

In music, his influences have been the melodious voices of Talat Mehmood and Jagjit Singh, as also the beautiful singing of Mehdi Hasan.

Dr Shakuntala A. Singh Ph.D.

Professor and Head, Dept. of Philosophy at the Joshi-Bedekar College, Thane, Maharashtra, India. In September 2005, she has taken over as Principal of the College.

After completing her schooling and undergraduate studies form Karwar, a small township in North Karnataka, along the west coast of India, Shakuntala completed her M.A. in philosophy from Karnatak University, Dharwad, India, in 1973.

She then shifted base to Mumbai as a lecturer in philosophy at Joshi-Bedekar College, Thane, Maharashtra [1975-95], during which time she completed her Ph.D. degree from University of Mumbai in comparative philosophy in 1984 and her post doctoral work in 1995. From 1980 to 1983, she held a fellowship from the Indian University Grants Commission to work on a comparative study of Gautama and Aristotle. From 1992 to 1995, she worked on a perspectival sketch of Indian philosophical thought as a postdoctoral fellow of the Indian Council of Philosophical Research.

In 1995, she became a senior lecturer and in 2000 was named head of her department. In 2005 she was named principal of Joshi-Bedekar College. She continues to hold that post in 2010.

She has presented research papers at various Conferences, Seminars, Workshops ets.

She gave an Endowment Lecture on Humanism at the Indian Philosophical Congress, Dec. 1999, titled, "Relevance of Renaissance Humanism for Man in the Third Millenium", and read a paper titled, "A perspective on the Indian Tradition: some notes on Mohanty's remarks thereon", at an International Conference on 'Contemporary Views on Indian Civilisation ' on 28-30 July, 2000, at Steven's Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ, USA.. Earlier that year, 24-26 Mar 2000, she was invited to read a paper titled, "Indian Tradition and Renaissance Humanism: A fair and beneficial exchange of concepts", at a National Seminar on Humanistic Trends in Indian Thought, organised by the ICPR, at Lucknow, India. She also read a paper at the World Philosophy Conference and Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of the Indian Philosophical Congress, 28 Dec-1Jan 2001, titled, "Indian Philosophies: spirituality as component and analysis as method". Later, she was invited to read a paper titled, "Humanity at the crossroads: does Sri Aurobindo offer an alternative?" at a National Seminar on 'Sri Aurobindo and the future of Humanity', 17-19 Jan 2005, organised by Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla, and UGC, at India International Center, New Delhi. [This was later published in 2009. See http://msmonographs.org/article.asp?issn=0973-1229;year=2009;volume=7;issue=1;spage=110;epage=127;aulast=Singh ].

She is a recognised Ph.D. guide in Philosophy by the University of Mumbai and Member of its Board of Studies and Faculty of Arts.

She is also Co-Founder of the Mens Sana Research Foundation ( http://mensanamonographs.tripod.com ) and Deputy Editor, Mens Sana Monographs, and Co-author of the book 'Psychiatry, Science, Religion and Health ' published in Oct, 2004, and many monographs published later. She is also a founder member of Swara Sampada and its President from Feb 2010 ( http://swarasampada.tripod.com).

Influences

An alumni of Karnatak University, from where she did her postgraduation, she fondly remembers the mentoring by Prof K.J. Shah who helped her take the first halting steps in philosophy. Prof Shah was a student of Wittgenstein at Cambridge University. He was an eminent philosopher from India and she remembers with gratitude how she imbibed the best of eastern and western thought from him. Later, while doing her Ph.D and post doctoral research under Prof S.G. Mudgal, [a dedicated educationist and well-respected scholar in Indian Philosophy], she developed a keen understanding of educational administration and Indian philosophy. She also greatly profited by prolonged philosophical discussions with Prof S.S. Barlingay, a renowned philosopher with a sharp intellect, who was from Pune and also Editor of the Indian Philosophical Quarterly. Philosophical discussions with her co-author, Ajai, have resulted in a number of publications in the last 3 decades.

These influences helped forge the qualities she is known for - integrity in administration [Prof Mudgal], special care towards her students [Prof Shah, Prof Mudgal, Prof Barlingay], collaboration in research [Ajai], and dedication to the welfare of the institution she heads [Prof Mudgal].

Recent Publications

Their most recent publication are the following monographs

1. 'Medical Practice, Psychiatry and the Pharmaceutical Industry: And Ever the Trio Shall Meet', Mens Sana Monographs, March-October 2005 [see http://www.msmonographs.org/showBackIssue.asp?issn=0973-1229;year=2005;volume=3;issue=1;month=March ]

2. Where is Medicine Heading? Pointers and Directions from Law Suits Against Industry, Mens Sana Monographs, Nov 2005-Feb 2006. [see http://www.msmonographs.org/showBackIssue.asp?issn=0973-1229;year=2005;volume=3;issue=2;month=November ]

Edited Monographs of MSM 2006-2010

Together they have edited monographs published by MSM [ISSN 0973-1229] from 2006-2010:

1. What Medicine Means to me, MSM 2006. [see http://www.msmonographs.org/showBackIssue.asp?issn=0973-1229;year=2006;volume=4;issue=1;month=January-December ]

ISBN 81-89753-13-4

2. Medicine and the pharmaceutical Industry: and ever the duo shall meet, MSM 2007. [see http://www.msmonographs.org/showBackIssue.asp?issn=0973-1229;year=2007;volume=5;issue=1;month=January-December ]

ISBN 81-89753-14-2

3. Medicine, Mental Health, Science, Religion and Well being. MSM 2008. [see http://www.msmonographs.org/showBackIssue.asp?issn=0973-1229;year=2008;volume=6;issue=1;month=January-December ]

ISBN 978-81-89753-15-3

4. Some issues in women's studies, and other essays, MSM 2009. [http://www.msmonographs.org/showBackIssue.asp?issn=0973-1229;year=2009;volume=7;issue=1;month=January-December ]

ISBN 978-81-89753-16-0

5. Psychopharmacology Today, MSM 2010. [see http://www.msmonographs.org/showBackIssue.asp?issn=0973-1229;year=2010;volume=8;issue=1;month=January-December ]

ISBN 978-81-89753-17-7

All these are available full text open access online at www.msmonographs.org

A list of their other publications and abstracts are available elsewhere [see https://ajai-shakuntala.tripod.com/id2.html ] on this site.

Both Shakuntala and Ajai share a keen interest in philosophy and music . They love musical get- togethers , nature trails and out door sports . They also enjoy long drives and vacations away from commonly visited places . They welcome serious discussions over social issues in an atmosphere of healthy give and take of ideas . They are fun loving and enjoy humour , but not at somebody 's expense. They value friendships and would go all out to help a friend in distress . They would love to make a difference where it matters . They value care and compassion , and a firm commitment to certain core values of life , irrespective of whether it brings success and prestige ,or not .

Well , that's enough for a lifetime !

Taking a break from teaching , or seeing patients

Well if this could be our job it would be a dream .

In its absence , Shakuntala enjoys driving down to her college where she teaches philosophy to her students . And enjoys their adoring looks . And looks after the administration of the college as well, having taken over as Principal in Sept., 2005.

And Ajai goes to his consulting rooms to treat patients . Atleast that's what he thinks . And his patients don't mind this delusion of his .

All this to compensate for this not being their job !

Between teaching and patients, Shakuntala and Ajai find time to write and work for the Mens Sana Research Foundation they set up in May 2003 . http://mensanamonographs.tripod.com. They enjoy the challenge it involves . Ajai has recently started enjoying the internet . This web site is his baby ! You may , if you wish , and maybe even if you don't , sent him a mail appreciating him for his efforts at mensanamonographs@yahoo.co.uk.

Some Recent Monographs of Ajai and Shakuntala Singh ( 2003-2010)

1. Singh A.R., Singh S.A., (2003), Psychiatric Consequences of the WTC Collapse and the Gulf War, Mens Sana Monographs, Mens Sana Research Foundation, Vol. I:1, May 2003, ISSN 0973-1229.

http://www.msmonographs.org/showBackIssue.asp?issn=0973-1229;year=2003;volume=1;issue=1;month=May-June

2. Singh A.R. , Singh S.A., (2003), Towards a Suicide free Society : Identify Suicide Prevention as Public Health Policy , Mens Sana Monographs , Mens Sana Research Foundation, Vol. I:2 , July-August , 2003 , ISSN 0973-1229.

http://www.msmonographs.org/showbackissue.asp?issn=0973-1229;year=2003;volume=1;issue=2

3. Singh A.R., Singh S.A., (2003), What Shall We Do About Our Concern With The Most Recent In Psychiatric Research ?, Mens Sana Monographs , Mens Sana Research Foundation, Vol. I:3, Sept - Oct , 2003. ISSN 0973-1229 .

http://www.msmonographs.org/showbackissue.asp?issn=0973-1229;year=2003;volume=1;issue=3

4. Singh A.R. , Singh S.A., (2003), Replicative Nature of Indian Research , Essence of Scientific Temper and Future of Scientific Progress , Mens Sana Monographs, Mens Sana Research Foundation , Vol. I:4 , Nov.-Dec. , 2003. ISSN 0973-1229 .

http://www.msmonographs.org/showbackissue.asp?issn=0973-1229;year=2003;volume=1;issue=4

5. Singh A.R. , Singh S.A., (2004), Gandhi on Religion , Faith and Conversion : Secular Blueprint Relevant Today , Mens Sana Monographs , Mens Sana Research Foundation, Vol. I:5 , Jan. - Feb., 2004. ISSN 0973-1229 .

http://www.msmonographs.org/showbackissue.asp?issn=0973-1229;year=2003;volume=1;issue=4

6. Singh A. R., Singh S.A., (2004),The Goal : Health For All ; The Commitment : All For Health , Mens Sana Monographs , Mens Sana Research Foundation, Vol. I:6, Mar.- Apr. , 2004. ISSN 0973-1229.

http://www.msmonographs.org/article.asp?issn=0973-1229;year=2004;volume=2;issue=1;spage=95;epage=95;aulast=Singh

7. Singh A.R. , Singh S.A. (2004), Psychiatry , Science , Religion and Health , Mens Sana Monographs Annual 2004 , Mens Sana Research Foundation, Vol. II:1-3 , May - Oct. 2004. ISSN 0973-1229.

http://www.msmonographs.org/showBackIssue.asp?issn=0973-1229;year=2004;volume=2;issue=1;month=January-December

8. Singh A.R. , Singh S.A. (2004-2005), Resolution of the Polarisation of Ideologies and Approaches in Psychiatry, Mens Sana Monographs, Mens Sana Research Foundation, Vol. II:4-5, Oct 2004- Feb 2005. ISSN 0973-1229.

http://www.msmonographs.org/showbackissue.asp?issn=0973-1229;year=2004;volume=2;issue=2

9. Singh A. R., Singh S.A. (2005) , Medical Practice, Psychiatry and the Pharmaceutical Industry: And Ever the Trio Shall Meet , Mens Sana Monographs, Mens Sana Research Foundation, Vol. II:6, Vol III, 1-3, Mar.- Oct., 2005. ISSN 0973-1229 .

http://www.msmonographs.org/showbackissue.asp?issn=0973-1229;year=2005;volume=3;issue=1

10. Singh A. R., Singh S.A. (2005-2006) , Where is Medicine Heading? Pointers and Directions from Recent Law-Suits against Industry. Medicine As A Corporate Enterprise, Patient Welfare Centered Profession, Or Patient Welfare Centered Professional Enterprise? , Mens Sana Monographs , Mens Sana Research Foundation, Vol. III:4-5, Nov 2005- Feb 2006. ISSN 0973-1229.

http://www.msmonographs.org/showbackissue.asp?issn=0973-1229;year=2005;volume=3;issue=2

Volumes of Mens Sana Monographs Edited

1. Singh A. R., Singh S.A. (2006) , What medicine means to me?, Mens Sana Monographs, Mens Sana Research Foundation, Vol. IV:1-4, Mar-Dec 2006. ISSN 0973-1229. ISBN 81-89753-13-4.

http://www.msmonographs.org/showbackissue.asp?issn=0973-1229;year=2006;volume=4;issue=1

2. Singh A. R., Singh S.A. (2007) , Medical practice and the pharmaceutical industry: and ever the duo shall meet, Mens Sana Monographs , Mens Sana Research Foundation, Vol. 5:1, Jan-Dec 2007. ISSN 0973-1229. ISBN 81-89753-14-2.

http://www.msmonographs.org/showbackissue.asp?issn=0973-1229;year=2007;volume=5;issue=1

3. Singh A. R., Singh S.A. (2008) , Medicine, mental health, science religion and well-being, Mens Sana Monographs , Mens Sana Research Foundation, Vol. 6:1, Jan-Dec 2008. ISSN 0973-1229. ISBN 978-81-89753-15-3.

http://www.msmonographs.org/showbackissue.asp?issn=0973-1229;year=2008;volume=6;issue=1

4. Singh A. R., Singh S.A. (2009) , Some issues in women's studies, and other essays, Mens Sana Monographs , Mens Sana Research Foundation, Vol. 7, 1, Jan-Dec 2009. ISSN 0973-1229. ISBN 978-81-89753-16-0

http://www.msmonographs.org/showBackIssue.asp?issn=0973-1229;year=2009;volume=7;issue=1;month=January-December

5. Singh A. R., Singh S.A., (2010) , Psychopharmacology today, Mens Sana Monographs , Mens Sana Research Foundation, Vol. 8:1, Jan-Dec 2010. ISSN 0973-1229. ISBN 978-81-89753-17-7

http://www.msmonographs.org/showBackIssue.asp?issn=0973-1229;year=2010;volume=8;issue=1;month=January-December

(UPDATED 11--9-2010)

visit : http://www.msmonographs.org/backissues.asp

http://mensanamonographs.tripod.com

Some Other Notable Publications (1988-2000)

1. Singh A.R., Singh S.A. ( 1988) The Comparative and the Creative , Ind. Philo. Quart., Vol 15 , No 2, p 189-208 .

2. Singh A.R., Singh S.A. (1988) Readings in Dissent -1 , New Quest , 71, p289-296.

Dissent-2 , New Quest ,72 , p333-347.

3. Singh A.R., Singh S.A. (1989) Psychiatric Ethics : Role of Philosophical Enquiry , Ind. Philo. Quart., Vol 16, No 2, p89-118.

4. Singh A.R., Singh S.A. (1990) A Peep into Man's Histority : The Lessons for Today , Jr. Ind. Coun. Philo. Res. , Vol 7 , No 3, p23-46.

5. Singh A.R., Singh S.A. (1991) On Non-Issues , New Quest , 86 , p89-97 .

6. Singh A.R. , Bagadia V.N. , Pradhan P.V., Acharya V.N. (1988), Death , Dying and Near Death Experience : Preliminary Report on Surveying the Need and Developing the Method , Ind. Jr. Psychiat., 30(3) , p299-306.

7. Singh A.R. Singh S.A. (1992), The Tagore-Gandhi Controversy Revisited -- Or , Further in Search of Development --1, Ind. Philo. Quart , Vol19 , No 3 p167-186 . --2 , Ind Philo Quart , Vol 19 ,No 4 , p265-292.

8. Singh A.R., Singh S.A. (1994), Ideological Conflicts and their Resolution in Psychiatry , Arch Ind Psychiat , Vol 1 , No 2 ,p86-91.

9. Singh A.R., Singh S.A., (1995), Hedonistic Issues in Drug Dependency , Namah , Vol 2 , Issue 2 , p57-61.

10. Singh A.R., Singh S.A.,(1990), Fifty Years after Freud : An Appraisal , Psychol Hum Beh Digest , Vol 2 , No 1, p12-28.

11. Singh A.R., Singh S.A., (1991), How Mahatma Gandhi's Plan can Solve Temple Issue , Mainstream , Vol 39, No 13 , Jan 19,1991, p19-25. Also later published in Politics of Confrontation: The Babri- Masjid Ramjanmabhoomi Controversy Runs Riot (ed. Asghar Ali Engineer) ,1992 , Ajanta Pub , New Delhi, p49-55.

12. Singh S.A. (2000), Relevance of Renaissance Humanism for Man in the Third Millennium , Dr. K.M.A. Hay Lecture on Humanism , The Proceedings of the 74th Session of the Indian Philo Congress , Dec 28-30, 1999, Bodh Gaya , Pub 2000 (ed Shukla Sinha ) , p215-226.

For a Complete List See List of Publications on this Website