
Dr.
Amal Chandra Barua
Formerly Professor & Head, Department of Pediatrics,
Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati
The Assam State Branch
of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics has been formed by fluke of circumstances.
Preamble:
After amalgamation of Indian Pediatric Society, formed by Dr. K.C. Chaudhuri of
Kolkata in 1948 and Association of Pediatrics of India, formed by Dr. G. Coelho
of Mumbai in 1950, Indian Academy of Pediatrics was established in 1963 and Dr.
L.S.N. Prasad of Patna was its first elected president and the 1st Annual National
Conference of IAP was held at Pune in 1964 under his presidentship.
Though after obtaining DCH (C.U.) I was an ordinary member of Indian Pediatric
Society since 1958, I was not a pioneer member of IAP due to certain personal
circumstances like preparation for my M.D. (Medicine) and subsequent study and
training abroad under W,H.O. fellowship. However, I became an ordinary member
of IAP since 1967 and started attending annual IAP conferences held at different
cities in India. By then I was aware of the constitutional provision of the minimum
fifteen Ordinary/Life/Fellow members required to form a state branch. There was,
however, no bar for members from another state to join a state branch as its member.
