IRIA has had a glorious background and is looking ahead to play its role in the advancement of radiology and imaging throughout Asia and SAARC countries. With the 66th edition of IRIA coming soon, Express Healthcare traces the journey of the association from the beginning ….
The ‘Indian Radiological Association’ was formed in Calcutta in the year 1931 under the aegis of late Dr Ajit Mohan Bose and Dr Subodh Mitra as the Founder President and Founder Secretary, respectively. The first meeting of the association, held on April 21, 1931 in Calcutta, was attended by Capt M Mukherjee, Dr KB Ghosh and Dr Moitra.
April 1932 witnessed the eighth session of Indian Medical Association and the Indian Radiological Association met as the radiological section of IMA under the chairmanship of Dr MD Joshi. In his speech at the event, Dr Joshi stressed the need for sound radiological education in India. In 1934, the radiologists met again at a sectional meeting of the Conference of IMA, held at Mumbai with Dr KP Mody in the Chair.
In March 1937, the Indian Radiological Association was registered under Act XXI of 1860, with the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies, Bengal Registration No 6644 (1936-37) with a total membership strength of 24. During the war years, the activities of the association declined and came almost to a standstill. Yet, due to the vigorous and ceaseless efforts of Dr P Rama Rao, Dr Santhan Krishnan Pillai and Dr KM Rai of Madras, the activities were resumed and thus the assocation was reborn.
The first Annual Congress of Radiology was held in 1946 at Madras under the leadership of the President, Dr MD Joshi and Secretary, Dr P Rama Rao. There were 130 members in the association at that time. Gradually, the association expanded to other states giving rise to a wide network of state branches and chapters.
Official Publication
Indian Journal of Radiology (IJRI) became the voice of the association since it was born in 1947 under the joint editorship of Dr P Rama Rao and Dr K Manjunath Rai. Excellent scientific papers and material were published and circulated to all the members through this journal. Dr KP Modi, Dr KM Rai, Dr AN Menon, Dr ML Aggarwal, Dr MG Varadharajan, Maj Gen SK Dhawan, AVSM, Dr MS Joshi and Dr Om J Tavri were some of the Editor-in-Chiefs of IJRI. The journal has won many awards for excellence in medical printing and it was rated as the best journal amongst all medical journals in India. The journal has also received the International Code No ISSN-0970-2016.
Memorial Medals & Awards
Another landmark in the history of the Indian Radiological Association was the introduction of ‘Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose Memorial Oration’ in the year 1948; a contribution to the advancement of medical radiology. Late Dr Barceley, popularly known as “Father of British Radiology” was the first orator in the year 1951. This oration was instituted after the cherished memory of one of the renowned Indian bio-physicists and the first honorary member of the association ‘Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose’. Every year, it is to be delivered at the Annual Congress of Radiology and is awarded to a renowned radiologist.
In 1968, during the 21st Annual Congress the Indian Radiological Association at Bangalore, Dr LH Athalea moved a resolution to institute an oration in the name of ‘Dr Diwan Chand Aggarwal Memorial Oration’ for his contribution to the association. He had also served as the President of the IRA in 1957. The members of family of late Dr Diwan Chand Aggarwal created an endowment for the oration. It was started in the year 1969 and Dr A N K Menon of Madras delivered the first oration. Since then, many eminent radiologists from India and all over the world have delivered this oration.
In 1977, during the 30th Annual Congress of IRA at Chandigarh ‘Dr KM Rai Memorial Oration’ was instituted by the family members of late Dr KM Rai. Due to his efforts, IRA was reborn in 1946 and the First Annual Congress of Radiology was held at Madras, which in turn led to a spurt of scientific activities in radiology. He was instrumental in starting the Journal (IJRI) in 1947 and was the Associate Editor for the same. Dr OP Bhardwaj of New Delhi delivered the first oration in the year 1978.
In 1980, Dr Ashoke Mukherjee Award was started by IRA, instituted by the family members of late Dr Ashoke Mukherjee to encourage young radiologists to take up new investigations and research in the field of radiology in India. Competitive, scientific, original work was selected and presented in the Annual Congress by young radiologists. Then the committee appointed by the President would select the best paper out of the lot and award the radiologist who presented it. Dr Pramod Kolwadker of Nagpur was the first recipient of this award in the year 1979.
IRA also started two travelling fellowships for young radiologists to do advance training in reputed institutions of India and now both travelling fellowships are awarded by ICRI.
Indian College of Radiology
Indian College of Radiology was established as a teaching (academic) wing of the Association in 1976 by Late Prof PK Haldar and Dr KN Kamdar. Prof PK Haldar was the first Founder Chairman of the college followed by Dr KN Kamdar.
In 1981, with Prof Arcot Gajaraj becoming the Chairman, academic activities were given an added impetus and an attempt was made to organise as many CME programmes as possible throughout the year in different parts of the country to generate interest in imaging among the post-graduates as well as the clinicians. Dr Samir Banerjee, Secretary of the College and Dr GR Jankhania, Treasurer has improved the administrative and academic activities of the College. In 1984, under the Chairmanship of Dr GR Jankhania, it became mandatory to conduct four to six CME programmes prior to the Annual Congress. In 1986, at Jaipur, a convocation was held to award fellowship of ICR to the Founder Members of the College.
Under the Chairmanship of Dr Samir Banerjee, a new chapter linked with Royal College of Radiologists, London, UK began and a team from R. C. R., UK visited India and delivered one-day CME session at Hyderabad (1990) and at Pune (1991). Prof NG Gadekar-Key Note Address (Memorial Oration) and Prof Mihir Mitter Memorial Oration were instituted under the umbrella of ‘Indian College of Radiology & Imaging’ in 1988 and 1998 respectively. These orations are awarded to the radiologists of the country who have excelled in academics as well as in teaching and developing the science of imaging. Dr Harnam Singh Mid-Term Teaching Session was introduced with the donation from Dr Harnam Singh. Recently, Prof VP Lakhanpal Gold Medal has been introduced for the best academic contribution in the field of radiology and imaging.
Dr Mukund Rahalkar, Secretary of the College, took a keen interest in the improving quality of CME Programmes including the film reading sessions. Prof Kakarla Subba Rao, Chairman of ICRI for six years further improved the quality and quantity of the teaching sessions and conducted them in small places all over India. Under his Chairmanship, a Text Book on ‘Diagnostic Radiology’ in two volumes was published.
The College is doing an excellent job in conducting CME programmes all over India. The College has also started a news bulletin for better communication, publishing up-dates on new imaging modalities, forthcoming CME programmes, views from readers etc. Many more awards were introduced in the college by the present team of office bearers such as the Prof JM Pinto Award, Onco Imaging Award, Best Research Paper Award, Dr Rao Award instituted by Dr Prasanna Rao etc. Every year a theme is given by ICRI, selected by the Executive Committee and approved by General Body, ICRI. Credit hours for CME is prepared by ICRI recommended by Prof Kakarla Subbarao and approved by ICRI and IRIA.
Change in the name of the Association
It was felt rightly that there has been tremendous change in the modalities of imaging all over the world and our Association must effectively reflect it with a name which will speak for itself. Therefore, the Indian Radiological Association became The Indian Radiological & Imaging Association (IRIA). The Journal and the College were also renamed accordingly as IJRI and ICRI.
Affiliation with International Societies
IRIA has been a member of the International Society of Radiology and a member of the Asian and Oceanian Society of Radiology as well. IRIA and ICRI has formulated a curriculum and syllabus for MD (RD) and DMRD and submitted to the MCI for recommendation to all the universities and medical colleges in India.
Thus, IRIA has been growing from strength to strength over the years to play a siginificant role in the advancement of radiology and imaging throughout Asia and SAARC countries.
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