October 12th, New Delhi, India’s cardiovascular landscape stands at a critical juncture — marked by an increasing disease burden, breakthrough innovations, and a growing need for collaboration in cardiac care. Against this backdrop, BEAT 2025 – National Cardiovascular Summit & Awards, organized by Voice of Healthcare (VOH), convened India’s foremost cardiologists, policymakers, researchers, and healthcare leaders on October 12, 2025, at Shangri-La, New Delhi, for a landmark day of dialogue, innovation, and recognition in heart health.
The event was graced by Hon’ble Shri Ravinder Singh, Minister of Social Welfare, SC & ST Welfare, Cooperative and Election, Government of Delhi, as the Chief Guest. In his keynote address of Award Ceremony, he emphasized the importance of early prevention, equitable access, and technology-led transformation in cardiac care. “This platform is a celebration of all those who keep the hearts of our nation beating — our doctors, nurses, scientists, and healthcare innovators. It is inspiring to see experts, innovators, and policymakers come together under one roof to chart a healthier future,” said Hon’ble Shri Ravinder Singh.
The summit opened with a Welcome Address by Dr. Naveen Nishchal, Founder of Voice of Healthcare and Co-Founder of Cygnus Hospitals and Meddo Doxper Health. He set the tone for the day by highlighting VOH’s vision to strengthen India’s healthcare leadership through meaningful dialogue and recognition. “Cardiovascular diseases steal lives quietly, often suddenly, and affect every family, every city, and every village,” he said, underscoring the urgency for preventive strategies and collaborative healthcare leadership.
A fireside chat followed with Dr. Naresh Trehan, Chairman and Managing Director, Medanta – The Medicity, who reflected on India’s journey in treatment excellence and global leadership in cardiac care. “The kind of medicine we are practicing today reflects our deep understanding of disease and our ability to deliver world-class outcomes. We have some of the best minds in the world — the Indian brain is second to none,” said Dr. Trehan. Adding to the opening discussions, Dr. Rishi Jain, Country Medical Head, Novartis India, presented insights on ‘Taking CV Burden: Race Against Time’, highlighting the need for timely interventions and innovation-driven solutions in reducing cardiovascular risks.
The first expert panel featured Dr. Sandeep Bansal (VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital), Dr. Praveen Chandra (Medanta, Gurgaon), and Dr. P. Ganeshkumar (ICMR-NIE), moderated by Dr. Tina Rawal (Public Health Foundation of India). The discussion revolved around the evolving landscape of cholesterol management and the importance of policy-led standardization in LDL-C protocols. The experts emphasized that cardiac prevention begins with consistent policy implementation, patient adherence, and practical, preventive, and measurable treatment frameworks. “Cardiac prevention begins with consistent policy implementation and patient adherence. Protocols must be practical, preventive, and measurable,” said Dr. Praveen Chandra.
Building on this, Dr. Sandeep Bansal, Director, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, led an insightful session on diabetes and cardiovascular health, titled ‘Diabetes & the Heart – How a Pill is Changing the Future’. He highlighted the deep interconnection between diabetes and cardiac risk, emphasizing that integrated therapy, early screening, and long-term lifestyle management are essential to improving patient outcomes. “A single therapy may not be enough; it’s the ecosystem of care — from diagnosis to follow-up — that ultimately changes patient outcomes,” said Dr. Bansal.
The next discussion focused on India’s silent cardiac challenge — hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Chaired by Dr. Upendra Kaul (Batra Hospital & Medical Research Center) and moderated by Dr. K. Madan Gopal (National Health Systems Resource Centre), the panel included Dr. Anil Saxena (Fortis Escorts Heart Institute), Prof. (Dr.) Narendra Nath Khanna (Apollo Hospitals), and Tanu Khandelwal (Heart Health India Foundation). The experts highlighted the pressing need for early screening and public awareness about inherited cardiac conditions. “India needs an ecosystem of awareness around inherited cardiac conditions. Screening and early diagnosis can prevent the silent tragedies of undetected heart disease,” emphasized Dr. Kaul, advocating for stronger multidisciplinary collaboration across public health systems and community programs.
In the post-lunch segment, discussions shifted toward technology, innovation, and preventive strategies shaping the future of cardiology. A thought-provoking session moderated by Rajnish Srivastava (Poly Medicure Ltd.) featured Dr. Balbir Singh (Max Hospital, Saket), Dr. Sameer Gupta (Metro Group of Hospitals), Dr. Arun Kumar (Medanta Moolchand Heart Centre), and Dr. Ajay Kohli (Narayana Health), who shared insights on how digital tools, devices, and AI are revolutionizing cardiac prevention and care. “Artificial intelligence and connected devices are no longer futuristic—they are the present tools of prevention and precision in cardiac care,” remarked Dr. Balbir Singh, underscoring how technology is redefining cardiology’s future.
This was followed by a focused address by Dr. Peeyush Jain (Fortis Escorts Hospital), who spoke on obesity as a major contributor to heart disease. He emphasized that addressing obesity is not merely about aesthetics but a vital part of cardiovascular prevention. “Obesity management is not cosmetic—it’s cardiovascular prevention at its core,” noted Dr. Jain, urging collective action toward metabolic health and lifestyle modification.
Adding depth to the conversation, another high-impact discussion brought together Prof. Aditya Kapoor (SGPGI, Lucknow), Prof. Hemant Madan (Narayana Hospital, Gurugram), Dr. Mohit Dayal Gupta (GB Pant Hospital), and Dr. Satyavir Yadav (AIIMS), moderated by Dr. Manisha Khurana (Voice of Healthcare). The experts examined the growing intersection of diabetes, obesity, and cardiac disease in younger populations, calling for stronger public health communication and preventive strategies. “Public health must focus on behavior change, not just biomedical intervention,” emphasized Dr. Mohit Dayal Gupta, stressing the need for a holistic approach to wellness.
The final pre-award session explored the growing concern of heart disease among younger adults. Moderated by Dr. T. S. Kler (BLK Max Heart & Vascular Institute), the engaging discussion featured Dr. Aparna Jaswal (Fortis Escorts Heart Institute), Dr. Harkinder K. Bali (Livasa Hospitals), Dr. Dhirendra Singhania (Yashoda Medicity), The experts addressed how stress, digital lifestyles, and changing habits are increasing cardiovascular risk among India’s youth. “Stress, lifestyle, and digital habits are rewriting the cardiac risk map for India’s youth. The time to act is now,” urged Dr. Kler, calling for early education, preventive programs, and mental health integration in cardiac wellness.
The day concluded with the National Cardiac Excellence Awards, a grand celebration honoring stalwarts, innovators, and emerging leaders who have made remarkable contributions to cardiovascular medicine, research, and public health. The award ceremony recognized excellence across multiple dimensions of cardiac care — from clinical innovation and medical technology to policy leadership and community impact.
Among the most distinguished honors of the evening were the Lifetime Achievement Awards, celebrating decades of pioneering service and dedication to the field. Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan Dr. Ashok Seth was felicitated with the Lifetime Achievement Award in Interventional Cardiology & Innovation, acknowledging his trailblazing advancements and transformative leadership in cardiovascular medicine. Dr. Ramesh Babu Pothineni received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Regional Cardiology & Healthcare Leadership, in recognition of his outstanding commitment to strengthening cardiac healthcare systems and outreach in regional India.
Reflecting on the spirit of the awards, Dr. Naveen Nishchal, Founder of Voice of Healthcare, remarked, “The journey of cardiac care in India has been shaped by visionaries who blend compassion with innovation. These awards are a salute to that spirit,” closing the summit with an inspiring call for continued collaboration, compassion, and technological advancement in heart health.
BEAT 2025 was not merely a conference — it was a powerful national platform that united India’s cardiac community to drive leadership, innovation, and collaboration for a stronger, heart-healthy future. Before we officially close, Voice of Healthcare extended heartfelt gratitude to all partners and collaborators whose commitment made BEAT 2025 a resounding success. The event was supported by Powered By Partner – Narayana Health, Associate Partner – India Hypertension Control Initiative, Session Partners – Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Bristol Myers Squibb, Industry Partner – Polymed, Exhibit Partners – Altus Airflow, MediKarma, Academic Partner – Jamia Hamdard University Their collective vision, collaboration, and unwavering support have kept this movement beating strong — driving innovation, awareness, and action for the heart health of the nation.