History

At the beginning I welcome you all in this great event of Silver Jubilee Annual Conference of IAP West Bengal.

Though IAP in West Bengal is nearly 53 years old, unfortunately we could organize twenty-five Annual State Conferences only till today. Because at the beginning there was no existence of the State branch of IAP as it was started as a City branch – IAP Calcutta. Ultimately this was elevated to the status of a State Branch after long time in the end of 7th decade of last century. The tenure of a Secretary in IAP is minimum 2 years. Dr Dilip Mukherjee served as the secretary of the IAP Calcutta Branch in his first year and in the second year he became the secretary of IAP West Bengal Branch. So in his secretary ship IAP Calcutta became IAP West Bengal. And the first State Conference was organized by Dr Shib Shankar Sinha in Saturday Club where Mother Teresa had graced the occasion.

IAP has a strong root in Kolkata. The Association was formed by amalgamation of one pediatric association formed by the doyen of Indian Pediatrics Dr K C Chaudhuri with another such association created by another stalwart Dr Cohelo of Mumbai. These two great personalities had to sacrifice their organizations namely Indian Pediatric Society and Association of Pediatrics in India to form a single national organization of pediatricians Indian Academy of Pediatrics. Unfortunately IAP has forgotten both of them. Neither an oration nor any academic activity in their memories, exist in IAP today. But truth is truth, we cannot neglect the history.

In this great moment of inauguration of Silver Jubilee Annual Conference of IAP West Bengal State Branch I am delighted to be a part of this auspicious program. It is a more pleasure full incidence for me, as I shall takeover the responsibility of the highest post in the State Branch of our beloved organization in this evening. I accept this as a blessing from you all for my contribution to this academy for long 14 years.

This conference is most successful today with the cooperation and active participation of the faculty, delegates, members of IAP and so many sponsors who have participated in this great event and gave it a proper meaning. It is a more happy incidence to us as the family members have also joined us today in this memorable evening. I am sure they will also enjoy the social events of this history making conference.