Dear Colleagues
Wish you all a very pleasant and fruitful time in ASICON 79 at Bhubaneswar. A mega event with Academic feast and pleasant and healthy Fellowship. What a time to meet friends from all over the Country and abroad to exchange pleasantries and good time to rejoice. I always look forward to this Surgeons Conclave with satisfaction, advising younger colleagues with enthusiasm of presentations, and seniors of their knowledge and positive contribution. I became member of ASI in 1966 and since then gradually involved, step by step to the present position. Working sincerely and hard to gain from everyone from new entrants to our great Leaders. Organized ASICON-50 (Golden Jubilee ASICON) in 1990 and since then involved in its various activities very closely handling various position. Almost 30 years of closeness make a history of experiences and in depth feel of ASI.
Change is inevitable in every one’s life as well in any organization. Physical Changes do come but basic character and objective stays . Country is progressing with new vision of 21st Century – in a digital world, artificial intelligence, make in India, Start up and many other innovative way to put – India in line with developed Nations. It is only possible by total change in basic structure of governance, execution and accountability to public with result. Some decisions may be wrong and criticized but if not self-motivated and individual based and to benefit people in general, better for the Country in time to come, is desired path of coming close to developed Nations. Have we changed our attitude of comfort and compromise for personal glory and egos? Destiny lies in its ANSWER.
Our system has been weekend and eroded by EGOS to continue in a single pattern since decades with minor changes to give colour and galore, but substantial change is needed as per changing time and expectations of newer generation brought up in electronic gadgets and internet world.
In 1980-88 present ASI land allotted/leased by Govt. of T.N with the efforts of our then leaders. Auditorium and Office constructed by loan from Bank. Loan could not be paid resulted in Bank lock up and notice of auction, a bad time for ASI. Early 1992-94, money paid, starting FIAS in 1992 from its fee collection. Now it is an ASI symbol of pride. Good decisions taken may face rough weather but always rise to the desired height.
Have we given sufficient time and mind to proper management of this PRIDE OF ASI building resulting in litigations, financial losses and poor Auditorium set up? HAVE WE LEARNED A LESSON FROM THIS to pay our respect to our Leaders and Salute them for their efforts?
2010-2012 seen turmoil in ASI setup involving many aspect like – election rigging, financial irregularities, poor administration, unconstitutional activities followed by election reforms and control to check erroneous and damaging acts.
2015 ASICON at Gurgaon was a great show of high headedness of personal whims ignoring constitutional provisions and financial management, resulting in many legal battles to malign ASI. Ultimately ouster of the members involved. At a cost of months of agonizing time ,financial, physical and mental torture to the office bearers in particular and ASI in general. HAVE WE LEARNED A LESSON FROM THIS?
2018- ASICON in Chennai was well arranged and appreciated. But as heard Accounts submitted in negative balance and losses to the time of few crores. Is it possible? This has happened in the past also, and at few instances the audit report not submitted completely and promised money not paid fully. Do we have a system to check this? YES if so DESIRE and not to think on adhoc basis but taking lessons from the past.
We all are busy Surgeons of high reputation. Individually very strong, but collectively weak in taking actions to strengthen Association. 80 years of ASI history has seen many turmoils but came out with vision and strength of its Leaders and Members. But No System Developed to check our weaknesses and self Egos to make ASI as a strong body at all levels.
Past has given many lessons, it needs deep thinking, in depths problem related solution, free discussions with purity of mind intellect and soul in the interest of the ASI considering the changing time. It needs genuine audit of our acts at all levels without prejudices and clash of EGOS. COOL MIND always give a COOL and CORRECT PATH if we so desire.
Few points needs your attention –
– ASI Building / Auditorium management on pragmatic basis in the interest and cause of ASI.
– ASICON BODY of Executive Council members and few others qualified in such matter to control ASICON.
– ASI to organize ASICON through ASICON COMMITTEE to develop Professional System to run such a mega event. Role of local organisers to be defined, if you needs so. A system on the basis of American College of Surgeon with identified and fixed conference centre manage by professionals.
– Courses and Course Examination Certification – to be developed by ASI and guide sections for the same.
Presently such certification has not been approved by ASI – main body controlling sections. No legal sanctity to such certification in Court of Law, or National Controlling Bodies. USA, and few European Countries have a system of training by the Universities and Certification as per its Constitution, being an Autonomous body like AIIMS and Medical Universities.
– ASI Surgical training Centre in ASI building. Efforts being made from 2014 onwards but no concrete shape yet. Many many such centers are being developed every years on high commercial basis. Our Young Surgeons from more than 700 Medical Colleges with in sufficient training needs help to develop their skill. HAVE WE HAVE SOLUTION TO THIS? Please wake up to this demand. Young Surgeons Skill is directly related to health of the Nation. Please take a step forward.
– Theory teaching is a hallmark of ASI academics. About 5 to 8 thousands PG’s are registered every year and same number of Surgeons will be in field every years. Majority needs practical skill and ASI should take lead. On hand/ Virtual training for few days to few weeks as the ease may be in different skill courses in various specialities is the need of time.
– E-learning, E-Webinar, E-Library Master Surgical Video available to download by ASI members.
– Virtual operation workshops, e-learning with 50 questions – every month to members with teaching numbers and course certification.
– One Virtual class by each section of ASI – once a year.
– Coordination with National Association of different medical disciplines (API – Association of Physician of India, IAO – Indian Association of Orthopedics etc.) to establish creditability, representing specialists of the Country to get position in Govt. bodies guiding teaching, hospitals and others in National Programmes Committees.
As an elder with more than 55 years of association with ASI activities, I feel to see the association grow as per change of time and paced with the different organization caring for human resources and fast developing medical field. Also the under graduate and post graduate curriculum is more or less same (with minor changes), since last 70 years, while technical / Instrumentation advancement have grown fast and changing fast with the time. HAVE WE CHANGED TO PACE WITH CHANGING SCENARIO TO THE NEEDS OF MEMBERS?
Please pardon me if I have hurt anybody inadvertently. The words have come from my inner feelings for the Association. I am a part of the system and raising my voice whenever necessary but equally responsible for the present state of ASI.
Wish you all a very happy get together at ASICON-79 at Bhubaneswar, fruitful meetings and cordial relationships. Let the New Year 2020 bring Happiness and Prosperity in your life.