P. K. Gopal

P. K. Gopal is an Indian social worker and a co-founder of International Association for Integration, Dignity and Economic Advancement (IDEA), an international advocacy group, known for his services towards eradication of leprosy, especially in India. He was honored by the Government of India, in 2012, with the fourth highest Indian civilian award of Padma Shri.

Early life and education P. K. Gopal, hailing from a Sengunthar weavers' family, was born on 13 May 1941 in the Erode district of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. In 1997, Gopal started IDEA India, the Indian arm of the global NGO, which is known to have rehabilitated 600 leprosy-affected people and provided education to over 6000 children. He is an elected member of the Medico-Social Commission and the Technical Resources Group of the Director General of Health Services, a Government of India agency. He also serves as a board member of the International Leprosy Association, USA

Awards and recognitions During his tenure at Sacred Heart Hospital, Gopal received the Best Social Worker award from Loyoloa College, Chennai, in 1984. followed the national award with their Life Time Achievement Award, the same year.