Dr Chandrakant S. Pandav is a member of the National Council for India Nutritional
Challenges, Poshan Abhiyan. He Specialized in Community Medicine from AIMS, in Health Economics, Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics from McMaster University-Canada and in Human Nutrition from London. He has been working on Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD), Micronutrients, Health System Research, Health Policies and Human Rights issues. A WHO/UNICEF Consultant in Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) since 1983 to over 60 countries of South Asia, Western Pacific, Middle East and African countries at regional, national and global levels. He was the Professor and HOD of Community Medicine, AIMS, New Delhi.

HIS Contribution to Healthcare Landscape in India ;

* Left neurosurgery to scale up community medicine.
* Treated Invisible manifestations of IDD-as the largest cause of brain damage worldwide.
* "Panchsheel Partnership"-among five different stakeholders for high level advocacy.
* Village Immersion Course-3 months' minimum stay of every medical student in villages.
* Training of physicians in ethies, communication and empathy as a critical necessity.
* Handling of micronutrient deficiency by dietary diversification, supplementation and fortification.
* Over 400 papers Published in National and International Journals.

Change-Making Positions Held ;

* President, ICCIDD.
* Former President, Indian Public Health Association (IPHA).
* Former President of Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine.
* Chairperson of the Coalition for Food and Nutrition Security.
* Member of ICMR, Nutrition Foundation, FSSAI.
* Fellowships of many prestigious National Institutes, Royal Societies in Public Health.

Laurels Brought to Dr Chandrakant Sambhaji Pandav ;

* Conferred Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2021.
* WHO Public Health Champion Award.
* Mother Teresa Memorial Award in 2016.
* Prestigious Dr. M. K. Seshadri Prize.
* Gold medal by ICMR in 2000 for Community Medicine.

Impact Brought in the Lives of Common Indians ;

The indelible impact Dr. Pandav had, in the lives of common people, popularized him as the Iodine Man of India'. He has earned 'Iodine Man of India' for his relentless efforts and unwavering commitment towards bringing to light the dire consequences of Iodine Deficiency on health.