21st P. Kesavadev Awards Announced at Press Club, Thiruvananthapuram

Dr. Jothydev Kesavadev officially announced the 21st P. Kesavadev Awards at a press conference held at the Press Club, Thiruvananthapuram. The Kesavadev Literary Award was announced for Dr. Shashi Tharoor, renowned author and Member of Parliament, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Indian literature, while the Diabscreen Kerala Kesavadev Award was conferred on Dr. Banshi Saboo, a leading diabetologist, for his exemplary efforts in advancing diabetes care and education across India. The press meet was graced by the presence of Dr. George Onakkoor, Dr. Balagopal P.G., Vijayakrishnan, Dr. Arun Shankar, and Dr. Sunitha Jothydev.

JPEF 2025 13th Annual Global Diabetes Convention

The 13th Annual Jothydev’s Professional Education Forum (JPEF 2025), held from July 11–13, 2025, at Uday Samudra Hotel, Kovalam, concluded as India’s largest and most impactful Annual Global Diabetes Convention, marking a significant milestone in diabetes education and innovation. The event attracted over 1,700 delegates and 160 faculty members and was inaugurated by Additional Chief Secretary Shri K. R. Jyothilal IAS. This year’s convention featured distinguished international faculties, including Prof. Dr. Tadej Battelino (Slovenia), Dr. Julia Mader (Austria), Ms. Polina Popova (Russia), Ms. Aishath Shiruhana (Maldives), Dr. A. V. Raveendran (Oman), and Dr. Kenneth Lee (Singapore). With the theme “Wait Matters”, JPEF 2025 delivered a powerful combination of cutting-edge science, practical clinical insights, and real-world innovation. Leading Indian experts such as Dr. Shashank Joshi, Dr. Banshi Saboo, and Dr. A.G. Unnikrishnan presented impactful keynote sessions, alongside thought-provoking orations by Dr. Georgi Abraham, Dr. Pratap Jethwani, and Dr. Aravinda Jagadeesha.

JPEF 2025 also served as a platform to celebrate excellence in diabetes care. The prestigious Stalwart Award was conferred upon Prof. Dr. Anuj Maheshwari in recognition of his outstanding lifetime contributions to internal medicine, diabetes, hypertension, and endocrinology. The JPEF–USV Technology Awards recognized healthcare professionals and diabetes educators for their contributions in the fields of technology, education, and research. Out of over 50 abstracts received from across India, 39 were selected—22 oral and 17 poster presentations. The top three presentations in each category received certificates and cash prizes, while the top 10 abstracts were awarded travel grants. All accepted abstracts will be published in the Supplementary Issue of the International Journal of Diabetes and Technology (IJDT), further enhancing their academic reach and credibility.

Among the many scientific milestones, JPEF 2025 witnessed the Indian launch of FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus, a 15-day real-time CGM with Bluetooth and AID system compatibility; Wegovy, a once-weekly GLP-1 agonist showing 15–20% weight loss and cardiovascular risk reduction; and Inclisiran, a novel siRNA-based LDL-lowering therapy requiring only two maintenance doses annually.

A key highlight of the convention was the launch of two major initiatives: DREAMS PRACTICALS 2.0, which provided hands-on training in cutting-edge Type 1 Diabetes care technologies including CGM, Automated Insulin Delivery (AID), and DIY closed-loop systems; and DREAMS GURU, a pioneering program designed to train schoolteachers to support children with T1D in managing glucose levels effectively in classroom settings. These initiatives were unveiled by Mr. Abdul Jaleel, Mr. Vijesh, and Mr. Shihab, representing the Type 1 Diabetes Welfare Society and Foundation, along with Mini Teacher, representing teachers of T1D children.

Adding to the academic excellence of the event, the Special Edition of IJDT was officially launched by Prof. Dr. Tadej Battelino, further reinforcing JPEF’s commitment to advancing high-impact diabetes research and scientific dialogue. Significantly, the educational excellence of JPEF 2025 was officially endorsed by the Kerala State Medical Council (KSMC), which approved 6 Credit Points for the event, reinforcing its academic credibility and value for healthcare professionals.The convention concluded on a high note, with a powerful reaffirmation of the global commitment to improving diabetes outcomes through innovation, research, education, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

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21st P. Kesavadev Awards

Thiruvananthapuram, July 27, 2025 – The 21st P. Kesavadev Awards, held at Hotel Hilton Garden Inn, Thiruvananthapuram, honoured outstanding contributions in the fields of literature and healthcare. This year’s prestigious honours were presented to Dr. Shashi Tharoor, who received the Kesavadev Literary Award for his profound impact on Indian literature and socio-political thought, and Dr. Banshi Saboo, a renowned diabetologist and public health advocate, who was conferred the Kesavadev Diabscreen Kerala Award for his pioneering work in diabetes care, prevention, and education.

The distinguished ceremony was inaugurated by legendary filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan, whose thoughtful address set an intellectually engaging tone for the evening. The event was graced by the presence of veteran actor Maniyan Pilla Raju, author Dr. George Onakkoor (Chairman, Literary Award Committee), renowned film critic and committee member Vijayakrishnan, Dr. Jothydev Kesavadev (Managing Trustee, Kesavadev Trust), Sunitha Jothydev (Trust Secretary), and Dr. Arun Shankar (Committee Member), whose collective leadership and dedication ensured the success of the programme. Veteran actor Maniyan Pilla Raju gave a heartfelt keynote speech, remembering the contributions of P. Kesavadev to Kerala’s culture and society. One of the evening’s highlights was session, “An Intellectual Conversation with Dr. Shashi Tharoor,” where he answered questions from the audience about his political and personal journey. The evening concluded with a compelling theatrical adaptation of Odayil Ninnu, the iconic novel by P. Kesavadev, which was later made into a classic Malayalam film. Performed by Narma kairali team and lead by Dr.Thomas Mathew, the drama boldly satirized those who, driven by biased or materialistic views, have sought to misrepresent the novel’s essence. Through sharp commentary and impactful stagecraft, the play defended the authenticity and powerful social realism at the heart of Kesavadev’s work.

Now in its 21st year, the P. Kesavadev Awards continue to serve as a respected platform that celebrates excellence in literature, healthcare, and social commitment, carrying forward the legacy of P. Kesavadev, a visionary writer, fearless reformer, and tireless advocate for the marginalized.

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