Psychoimmunology and Functional Psychoses: the Indian Scene

This morning in beautiful city of Lucknow, I have been selected to deliver the "Tilak Venkoba Rao oration" which is indeed a land mark step in my career for a variety of reasons. I am fortunate that I am delivering this oration in the city of my alma mater where I have grown worthy of this oration. I owe a lot to my alma mater and to my revered teachers particularly Prof. B.B. Sethi who brought about a revolution in biological psychiatric research at Lucknow center. I have never met Tilak but as much as I know about him, he was a worthy son of worthy parents Prof. Venkoba Rao and Dr.(Smt.) Parvathi Devi. I pay my regards to 'Tilak and I am sure that the institution of this award after his name will always encourage behaviorists to research newer areas in the field of biological psychiatry. Before I deliberate upon the main body of oration, I must thank my parents and my parents-in-law who are also sitting in audience for this prestigious day of my career without whose blessings this achievement could not have been possible. Lastly, I must thank my wife Smt. Shweta Tiwari who is also present here and whose love and constant encouragement and sacrifice has enabled me to see the dawn of this momentous day in my life.