The new President of SCARF Mr. R Seshasayee recently took office in April 2010. The past presidents have been (Late) Dr.D.C.Kothari & V.T.Somasundaram. Mr. R Seshasayee is the Managing Director, Ashok Leyland, manufacturers of world class range of trucks, buses and engines.

R. Seshasayee has been Managing Director of Ashok Leyland since 1998. He effected a celebrated turnaround of the Company in the throes of a deep recession, emphasizing team work, customer orientation and efficiency. On the National Council of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for over fifteen years, Mr. Seshasayee has been Chairman of several national committees of CII including on Eighth Plan, Economic Affairs, Defence, Surface Transport and International Trade & WTO.

Mr. Seshasayee has won several awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India; the Sir Jehangir Gandhy Medal for Industrial and Social Peace; ‘For the sake of Honour’ Award from Rotary Club. He was conferred with the ‘Ordine di Stella della Solidarieta` Italiana’ for his contribution to the enhancement of commercial and industrial ties between Italy and India.

In 2009, SCARF celebrated its Silver Jubilee. For an NGO with modest beginnings in 1984 - three part-time staff, and a small office - this silver jubilee was a cherished milestone. Over the years, we at SCARF have faced several challenges, beginning with the word "schizophrenia" itself, which most people found difficult to pronounce and understand. Additionally, donors were reluctant to be associated with mental disorders; and unlike with other disabilities, there was little or no empathy for the mentally ill. Schizophrenia itself was considered incurable - so why invest time and money?