CONFERENCE-1

25th Prof. PK Devi Oration and 2nd Dr. Antarkar’s Memorial Forum Function

The twin events of the 25th Prof. PK Devi oration and the 2nd Dr. Antarkar’s Memorial Forum Function were held on 18th September 2016 at  JH Auditorium, Juhu, SNDT Women’s University, Santacruz (West), Mumbai. The entire event was carefully planned and organized by Dr. Ashwinikumar Raut, Dr. Nutan Nabar, Ms. Shubada Agashe, Dr. Deepak Dave and Dr. Jayashree Joshi. Although on that day the weather outdoors was gloomy and rainy, the atmosphere inside the auditorium was buzzing with activity. 


The programme compered by Ms. Hiteshi Dhami-Shah began auspiciously with a melodious rendition of Ganesh Vandana and Dhanvantri Stavan and an evocative song “Tu Na Jane Aas Pas Hai Khuda” by Dr. Rachana Punjabi and Ms. Prajakta Paradkar. These devotional songs were followed by the welcome address by our Medical Director- Dr. Deepak Dave. Lighting of the lamp was done by the chief guest- Dr. Smita Mahale,  the guest of  honor- Dr. Sham Nabar, Dr. Arvind Chopra (the orator), Prof. P. K. Devi’s son- Dr. Bhaskar Balakrishnan, President of Kasturba Health Society- Shri Dhirubhai Mehta and guiding light of MRC-KHS Research Director- Dr. Ashok Vaidya. It was with great fondness that these two great scientists were remembered and revered. Both were clinical researchers but from different streams of Medicine; Prof. Devi was from Reproductive Modern Medicine while Antarkarji was from traditional Ayurved Medicine. Nevertheless, they shared a common aim and worked together for the scientific growth of Ayurveda via rationalized evidence-based medicine.


Since, this year’s Prof. P. K. Devi Oration was to be given by Dr. Arvind Chopra- an eminent rheumatologist, it was decided that Vaidya Antarkar Memorial award would be related to the field of musculoskeletal disorders. The award was chosen from original research papers done by Indian scientists on Indian soil, for Ayurveda related work in musculoskeletal disorders and published during the year 2015. 432 such papers were published in 2015 and were narrowed down to 10. After much debate by the judges, Dr. Sonali Nipate was chosen for the 2016 Vaidya Antarkar Memorial Award. 


Dr. Sonali Nipate is an Assistant Professor at the Progressive Education Society’s Modern College of Pharmacy- Pune. Her presentation was titled ‘Evaluation of anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive and anti-arthritic activities of Indian Apis dorsata bee venom in experimental animals’.  This was the first of its kind study conducted on Indian Bees and it evaluated bee venom from Apis dorsata for its effectiveness in arthritis, inflammation and reduction in joint pain. Dr. Nipate concluded that bee venom from Apis dorsata showed potential anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressant and anti-arthritic activity due to the presence of peptides like Melittin, PLA2, apamin, Adolapin and Mast cell degranulating peptide.


Next, Dr. Sham Nabar our guest of honour delivered his address wherein he highlighted the need to bring ayurvedic education and training to a level that would train excellent professionals who could address the health needs of Indians as part of a pluralistic society that comprises different systems of medicine. This was followed by the inauguration of MRC-KHS website and address by our chief guest- Dr. Smita Mahale- Director at National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, ICMR. Dr. Mahale stated in her address that she felt privileged to be part of this function and represented the function in a dual capacity- she represented NIRRH at the event and that she would take over the baton from MRC-KHS and in future NIRRH would shoulder the responsibility of holding Prof. P. K. Devi Orations. She also mentioned that MRC-KHS would partner the ongoing annual orations. Narrating a bit of history, Dr. Mahale recalled that there were two strong women at IRR; Prof. Devi and Dr. Shanta Rao who both laid a very strong foundation for IRR and their work is a source of strength, courage and inspiration to take the institution forward. Prof. Devi has worked extensively in contraceptive development be it Centchroman trials, or IUDs or injectables or the different methods of sterilization. After the talk Dr. Mahale was felicitated by Dr. Jayashree Joshi-  Jt Research Director, MRC-KHS and the P.K. Devi Oration frame was also handed over.Next, was the presidential address by Shree Dhirubhai Mehta, President-Kasturba Health Society. He said it was time to wake up the slumbering giant of Ayurveda for good health. There is much scope of new drug discovery from the traditional medicine for malaria, diabetes, arthritis, cancer and osteoporosis through RP.


This was followed by the Prof. P. K. Devi Oration delivered by Dr. Arvind Chopra. Dr. Chopra is currently the Director and Chief Rheumatologist at Centre for Rheumatic Disorders-Pune and Senior Research Professor at SRM Medical College & Hospital- Chennai. Dr. Chopra at the very beginning said that there is a certain amount of Madness in Science which is in fact needed to move ahead. He shared his life-time experiences of three decades in the field of Medicine his community oriented programmes in the field of Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases through WHO sponsored COPCORD epidemiological programme at Bhigwan- Pune.


The programme ended with a very heartfelt vote of thanks by Dr. Shobha Udipi followed by our National Anthem.

Dr. Deepak Dave welcoming the guests

Lighting of the lamp; from left to right Dr. Balakrishnan, Dr. Nabar, 
Shri Dhirubhai Mehta, Dr. Vaidya, Dr. Chopra, Dr. Amonkar and Dr. Mahale

Dr. Raut introducing Dr. Nipate

Dr. Nipate-best paper presentation

Dr. Joshi gifting a Tulsi sapling to Dr. Mahale

A full house audience at the event

Dr. Rama Vaidya introducing Dr. Arvind Chopra

 Shri Dhirubhai Mehta felicitating Dr. Arvind Chopra 

Vote of Thanks by Dr. Shobha Udipi

Dr. Deepak Dave, with Dr. Arvind  Chopra, Dr. Ashwinikumar Raut, Dr. Nitin Kochar

Dr. Arvind Chopra with some of the dignitaries and MRC-KHS team

Conference Attachments