In July 2023, the Rohini Nilekani Centre for Brain and Mind was launched, a result of a landmark INR 100 Crore grant to NCBS and NIMHANS to support long-term research and capacity-building pertaining to five mental disorders: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and dementia. Along the way, the need for a shared platform became clear, one that could connect cutting-edge research with everyday life and bring science closer to society. With this in mind, the Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, NIMHANS, and NCBS came together to create Manotsava, a first-of-its-kind National Mental Health Festival designed to spark dialogue, build community, and make mental health research accessible to all.