History of IRIA

The Indian Radiological Association took its birth in 1931 in Calcutta with late Dr. Ajit Mohan Bose as founder President and Dr. Subodh Mitra as founder Secretary. The first meeting was held on 21st April, 1931 in Calcutta and Capt. M. Mukherjee, Dr. I.B. Ghosh and Dr. Moitra  attended the meeting.

In March 1937 the Indian Radiologist 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.

The first Annual Congress of Radiology was held in 1946 at Madras under the Presidentship of Dr.M.D.Joshi and Secretary Dr. P.Rama Rao. At the time there were 130 members of the association.

The change in the name of 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 by naming a name which will speak for itself. Therefore, the Indian Radiological Association became the Indian Radiological Imaging Association. The Journal and the College were also renamed accordingly IJRI and ICRI.

IRIA Headquarters

IRIA started constructing its building in 1993 and completed in 1995 which was inaugurated on 5th May 1995 by Prof. I.S Bajaj in Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi.

Official Publication

Indian Journal of Radiology was born in 1947, year of India’s independence, under 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. Out IJRI has won many awards for excellence in medical printing awarded by Govt. of India and rated as best Journal amongst all the medical journals in India. Our Journal got International Code No. ISSN-0970-2016 and new guidelines to authors were prepared and given and it is printed in Mumbai. Every year four issues are published by IJRI.

Indian College of Radiology

It was established as a teaching (academic) wing of the association in 1976 by late Prof. P.K. Haldar and Dr. K.N. Kamdar. Prof. P.K. Haldar was the first Founder Chairman of the college followed by Dr. K.N.Kamdar. During initial period of six years activities were mainly confirmed to day’s teaching programme (C.M.E) prior to the Annual Congress of IRA.

Under Chairmanship of Dr. Samir Banerjee, a new chapter started and linked with Royal College of Radiologists, London, U.K. It was in that period few centre in India got recognized for R.C.R.

Prof. N.G. 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 & 1998 respectively. These orations are awarded to the radiologists of the country who have excellence in academics as well as in teaching and developing the science of Imaging. Dr. Harnam Singh Mid-Term CME Session was introduced with the donation from Dr. Harnam Singh, 2 days mid-term CME is named after him. Recently Prof.V.P.Lakhanpal Gold Medal has been introduced for the best academic contribution in the field of Radiology and Imaging.

Many more awards were introduced in the college, eg. Best Research Paper Award, Dr. Rao Award instituted by Dr. Prasanna Rao. Every year reme is given by ICRI selected by Executive Committee and approved by General Body, ICRI. Creditors for CME are prepared by ICRI recommended by Prof. Kakarla Subbarao and approved by ICRI and IRIA.

State Branches and City Chapters

Now almost every state has state branches to conduct scientific activities and coordinate with Central Office. Members of Defence, Railway and Central Services are enrolled directly. Many city chapters are formed for academic purpose to improve academic standards and educate the radiologists and post – graduate students. More and more activities are held in all major cities and also in district and smaller towns.

M.P. State Branch

Dr. R. R. Rishi was the first renowned radiologist of central India and he established Department of Radiology in M.G.M. Medical College and M.Y.Hospital, Indore. He was also the first to start private X-Ray Clinic in the city.

In 1974, Indore was the venue for Annual Conference of IRA under chairmanship of Dr. M.S. Dwivedi. Around 450 Radiologist were delegates in this conference. 1st Meeting of IRIA, M.P. State branch was held in Bhopal, the capital city of M.P. and Dr. P.N. Sharme was elected as first President and Dr. R.K. Jain as first Secretary to IRIA M.P. State Branch. Dr. M.S. Dwivedi, Dr. Mahesh Rawat, Dr. O.P. Tiwari, Dr. M.S. Gujral and Dr. A.S. Rathore were among the few founder members. Gradually the organisation grew in terms of members and activities.

In the year 2000 IRIA M.P. again hosted the National Conference at Bhopal; Dr. R.K. Jain was the organizing chairman. In 2013 National Conference of IRIA was conducted at Indore with Dr. O.P. Tiwari as the Chairman, DR. R.K. Sodani as Secretary and Dr. Pushpraj Bhatele as a Treasurer. Annual conferences of IRIA, M.P. State Chapter is being held every year in the month of March at different venues of the state as decided by the state general body and executive committee meetings. Dr. R.R. Rishi oration honour is given to eminent Radiologist of the country during annual conferences since 1997. Gold medal for the best proffered paper is also given every year to upcoming P.G. Student/Young Radiologist of the state.

On the national level Dr. R.K. Jain became the president of the prestigious association in 2001. Dr.A.S. Rathore, Dr. O.P.Tiwari and Dr. Arvind Jain held the post of vice president, R.S. Maitra, Dr. S. Shivram and Dr. Pushpraj Bhatele were the joint Secretaries in the years passed. Dr. Rajendra Sodani and subsequently Dr. Pushpraj Bhatele has been elected as the Treasurer of the Association.

IRIA MP State Branch together with IRIA Jabalpur has taken on lease an official premises at IMA Building Jabalpur and now onwards our official work shall be carries out through this address.