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Welcome
to Our Site

RAJ AOPN Website is a dedicated platform for advancing child brain health and neurological care. Our mission is to support clinicians, researchers, and families through education, collaboration, and advocacy.
 

Here, you’ll find updates on academic programs, clinical resources, and initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for children with neurological disorders. We believe in fostering a strong community of pediatric neurologists and allied professionals committed to compassionate, evidence-based care.

  • A child’s brain grows more than 80% of its adult size by age 3 — that’s faster than any other organ in the body!

  • India has over 400 trained pediatric neurologists, yet the need is almost ten times higher — showing how vital this field is.

  • The most common childhood neurological conditions in India include epilepsy, cerebral palsy, developmental delay, and neuromuscular disorders.

  • With advances in genetics and neuroimaging, doctors can now identify the cause of neurological disorders in up to 70% of cases.

  • Early diagnosis and rehabilitation can improve outcomes for most children — proving that “every neuron counts.”

Doctor Analyzing X-Rays

RAJ AOPN MATTERS

The Central leadership of the Academy of Pediatric Neurology (AOPN) has entrusted the founding trustees of the Rajasthan State Chapter (RAJ AOPN) with the vital responsibility of advancing child neurology services across the region. This dynamic and motivated team has taken the mission of “Healthy Brain, Healthy Childhood” to the grassroots level through a blend of academic excellence, clinical outreach, and community engagement.

RAJ AOPN has been at the forefront of organizing state-level CME programs, training workshops, and multidisciplinary clinics to empower pediatricians in early recognition and management of neurological conditions. The team actively collaborates with government and private institutions to improve access to care for children with epilepsy, developmental disorders, and neuromuscular diseases. Through public awareness drives, screening camps, and advocacy for inclusive education, RAJ AOPN is bridging gaps in awareness and care.

With strong leadership and an unwavering vision, the RAJ AOPN continues to make a measurable difference—turning the dream of comprehensive child neurology services for every child in Rajasthan into a growing reality.

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RAJ AOPN Founding trustees, thank 2025 Central AOPN Leadership and Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) for guidance and support.

President Founding Trustee

Dr. Lokesh Saini

â–ª All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, India

04/2021 - Current

Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics (Pediatric Neurology)

Assistant Dean - Research (09/2022 - Current)

Clinician In Charge, Pediatric Neurology Fellowship Programme.

â–ª All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, India 04/2021-07/2024

Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics (Pediatric Neurology

â–ª       Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India 07/2020 - 04/2021

Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics (Pediatric Neurology)

â–ª       Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India 04/2017 - 06/2020

Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics (Pediatric Neurology)

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AWARDS (INTERNATIONAL / NATIONAL): 

â–ª       Awarded Junior Travel Fellowship by the World Federation of Neurology, 2025.

â–ª       Awarded bursary to attend the 16th European Pediatric Neurology Society Congress 2025 in Munich, Germany.

â–ª       Awarded 20th San Servolo fellowship held in July 2024.

â–ª       Awarded bursary to attend 15TH European epilepsy congress (EEC) an ILAE-sponsored conference in Rome, Italy in September 2024

â–ª       Won Foerderverein Grant - 2024 by the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases for presenting my work on neuro infections

â–ª       Won International Scholarship Award 2022-2023 by the American Academy of Neurology.

â–ª       Won Neurorehabilitation Initiative of the Year by Indian Academy of Neurology in 2022-23 for research work on autism

â–ª       Mentor for the Candidate who won the Best Research Paper Award at the 11th AOCN (Association of Child Neurology) Annual Conference - 2021.

â–ª       Mentor for the Candidate who won the International Scholarship Award 2021-2022 by the American Academy of Neurology.

â–ª       Won International Scholarship Award 2020-2021 by the American Academy of Neurology.

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Secretary Founding Trustee

Dr. Varnit Shanker

MBBS, DCH (UK), MRCPCH (London)

ALM Biology (Harvard University), PhD (Child Neurology)

Fellowship in Child Neurology and Neurodevelopment (SGRH, New Delhi)

Secretary, Rajasthan Academy of Pediatric Neurology (RAJ AOPN)
Board Member, Harvard Alumni Disability Alliance

 

DACH Jaipur | +91 9929779306 | varnitshanker@gmail.com
DACH Office 0141 4106316,
ICON Office 0141 4091093, Secretary +91 9929696191

 

INDIAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS | Contributions
 

·       Secretary, Rajasthan Academy of Pediatric Neurology (RAJ AOPN)

·       National Faculty, IAP Neuropedicon – Agra 2023, Goa 2024, Guwahati 2025

·       Organizing Secretary, RAJ AOPN 1st Pediatric Neurology Conclave, 2025

·       National Faculty, Jamshedpur, East Zone Neuropedicon, 2025

·       Over 20 talks on Development, Epilepsy and Behaviour, delivered at local IAP bodies such as Jaipur, Bharatpur, Bhilwara, Udaipur in the last 3 years

·       Invited as Faculty at Budapest, IAP-MEMC 2025 to deliver a talk on Psychogenic Status Epilepticus

·       Coordinator for SUDAMA workshop at DAHC ICON in IAP RAJPEDICON 2024, concluded with overwhelming response 

·       Faculty lecture at IAP Pedallercon 2023

·       Independently organized and contributed in 16 awareness day programs in the last 3 years, such as Down Syndrome Day, Epilepsy Day, Autism Day, Disability day, Happiness Day, Social Service Day, etc under the banner of “IAP ki baat, Community ke sath”

·       Carried out “effective parenting” session for parents with Neurodivergence and various school groups to help screen and manage Special Needs children.

·       Serving as co-opted member of Jaipur IAP branch

 

CHIEF CONSULTANT | 12/2022 – Current
Institute of Child Neurosciences (ICON) - Jaipur

·       Child Neurologist, Development and Child Behaviour Specialist

·       Founding Trustee of ICON Foundation

·       Manage therapeutic, social and special needs of children with neurological, behavioural or psychological conditions / issues. Examples of condition uncle but are not limited to Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Communication Disorders, Phobia, depression, Epilepsy, genetic Syndromes.

·       Leading a team consisting of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon, Neurosurgeon, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists, Behavioural Therapists, Psychologist, Special Educators.

·       Actively involved in basic science and clinical research.

·       Leading awareness campaigns both for the layman and the healthcare professional.

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Career Highlights
 

·       Serving as Board Member, Harvard Alumni Disability Alliance, Boston, USA
 

·       Youngest International Speaker at the 2019 World Pediatric Congress in Singapore - delivered a talk on ketogenic diet in drug resistant epilepsy.
 

·       Awarded Research Bursary and Grant from International Child Neurology Association (ICNA) - at the International Child neurology Congress (ICNC) at Antalya, Turkey in 2022.
 

·       Recipient of Harvard Dean's List Academic Achievement Award.
 

·       Awarded prestigious Derek Bok Public Service Prize in Child Neurology in Boston during the annual Harvard University commencement exercises on the 25th of May 2023.
 

·       Faculty, World Pediatric Congress, Osaka, Japan, 2024 (Autism Epilepsy Interface)
 

·       Faculty, International Child Neurology Congress, Antalya, Turkey, 2022 (Gut Brain Axis)
 

·       Faculty, Middle East Emergency Medicine Conference, Budapest, Hungary, 2025 (Psychogenic Status Epilepticus) 

 

 

Professional Affiliations
 

·       Life Member, Indian Academy of Pediatrics
 

·       Life Member, IAP Neurology Chapter
 

·       Life Member, IAP Growth, Development and Behaviour Chapter
 

·       Life Member, International Child Neurology Association
 

·       Life Member, Association of Child Neurology of India

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-      Life Member, The Asian and Oceanian Child Neurology Association (AOCNA)

 

 

Certifications
 

·       ILAE Neuroimaging
 

·       ILAE Epilepsy Module



Publications


National and international peer reviewed publications in indexed journals including a chapter in the book "Humanism in Child Neurology", under project Namaste in collaboration with Harvard Medical School and Boston Children Hospital.

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Treasurer Founding Trustee

Dr. Meenal Garg

A pediatric neurologist with an MBBS and MD in Pediatrics from Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, followed by a 2-year fellowship in Pediatric Neurology and Epilepsy from B J Wadia Hospital for Children, Mumbai.She has over a decade of experience and specializes in pediatric neurological conditions, including epilepsy, developmental disorders, and electrophysiology studies like EEG, NCV, and EMG. She has published research, presented at conferences, and is affiliated with prominent hospitals in Jaipur.

Liquid Sphere

PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY

​Pediatric Neurology represents a specialized field of medicine dedicated to the intricate assessment and management of intricate neurological cases, along with addressing disorders of the nervous system in neonates, infants, children, and adolescents.

At Rainbow Children’s Hospital, we deliver comprehensive care for children grappling with developmental, behavioral, and neurological challenges, supported by our highly experienced team specializing in pediatric neurology, allied services, and neurorehabilitation. In exceedingly rare instances, neurosurgical interventions may be undertaken to safeguard the child from potential dangers.

Our team of neurologists excels in the precise diagnosis and appropriate treatment of a spectrum of neurological disorders, including Childhood Epilepsy, Febrile Seizures, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Muscle-related conditions such as Muscular Neuropathy or Dystrophy, Behavioral disorders like Tics, ADHD, Sleep Disorders, Headaches encompassing Concussions and Migraines, Cerebral Palsy, Delayed Motor Milestones, Delayed Speech, interventional procedures, and the management of a substantial number of super refractory status epilepticus cases.

The Pediatric Neurology department is equipped to address the following conditions:

  • Childhood epilepsy

  • Febrile seizures

  • Autism spectrum disorders

  • Muscle-related problems such as muscular neuropathy or dystrophy

  • Behavioral disorders including tics, ADHD, and sleep disturbances

  • Headaches, encompassing concussions and migraines

  • Intellectual disability

  • Developmental disorders such as coordination issues, cerebral palsy, delayed motor milestones, and delayed speech

  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

  • Stroke

  • Congenital malformations affecting the nervous system

  • Congenital birth defects impacting the spinal cord and brain, such as spina bifida

  • Brain tumors

  • Inflammation or infections of the brain

  • Autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis

  • Genetic disorders affecting the nervous system

  • Abnormal cognitive development, learning disabilities, and speech impairments

  • Head injuries and their associated complications

  • Palliative and hospice care

  • Hydrocephalus (accumulation of fluid in the brain)

  • Vascular neurology

Key Highlights:

  • Specialised in treating Autism Spectrum Disorders

  • High quality treatment for brain tumour

  • Providing special care for developmental disorder

  • Specially trained nursing staff well versed with handling various procedures, preparations & other nursing aspects to provide quality care to patients

Patrons of RAJ AOPN

Founding Executive Board

Personal Statements by Founders

Brain Illustration

1

Dr. Lokesh Saini
President

I am deeply committed to advancing the care, research, and education in child neurology. My vision has been to create a collaborative platform where pediatricians and neurologists work together to improve early diagnosis and management of neurological disorders in children. Under my leadership, the association has focused on capacity building, training programs, and awareness initiatives that reach both healthcare professionals and families. I believe that empowering clinicians with knowledge directly translates into better outcomes for children with neurological challenges. This journey reflects my lifelong dedication to nurturing healthier young minds and shaping the future of pediatric neurology in our region.

2

Dr. Varnit Shanker
Secretary

I have envisioned building a strong foundation that unites science, compassion, and collaboration for every child’s neurological well-being. My mission has been to create an ecosystem where knowledge flows freely, empowering pediatricians to recognize and manage neurological conditions early and effectively. I believe in transforming awareness into action — through education, advocacy, and innovation. Every initiative we undertake is a step toward ensuring that no child’s potential is lost to an unaddressed neurological disorder. This vision continues to inspire me to work tirelessly for a future where every child’s brain health is protected and nurtured.

3

Dr. Meenal Garg
Treasurer

I am dedicated to ensuring that every financial decision reflects transparency, accountability, and purpose. I believe that responsible resource management is the backbone of a thriving and credible organization. My focus has been on building efficient financial systems that support our educational, clinical, and outreach missions with clarity and sustainability. Through meticulous planning and open reporting, I strive to strengthen trust among members and stakeholders. This commitment to integrity and efficiency drives our collective goal of advancing child neurology with excellence and transparency.

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