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The Association
of Physicians of India which started with merely
nine members has now grown to well over 12,000.
Objectives
of API
To encourage and advance
the knowledge, study and practice of the science
of medicine.
To encourage
research, including experimental work, in the science
of medicine.
To organize,
establish, conduct, superintend or control institutions
for promoting, whether directly or indirectly, the
study of, and research in problems relating to the
science of medicine
To hold meetings,
conferences, exhibitions, study circles or gatherings
for the study and discussion of problems relating
to and allied with the science of medicine.
To provide instruction
and education to deserving persons in the science
of medicine.
To make Pecuniary
grants by way of scholarships, donations, subscriptions,
allowances, gratuities, guarantees and otherwise
to and for the benefit of deserving students, scholars
and other persons who are worthy of receiving such
grants by reasons of their skill and proficiency
in the science of practice of medicine or their service
to the cause of promotion of learning, research and
practice of the science of medicine
To award prizes,
medals or other certificates or diploma of proficiency
in the science of medicine to persons found fit thereof
after such tests, examination or other scrutiny as
may be prescribed from time to time.
To make rules,
prescribing standards of professional conduct of
members of the Association.
To establish
and maintain libraries and reading rooms.
To print, publish,
distribute or sell books, pamphlets, notices, pictures,
periodicals, newspapers or magazines or any other
literature on any matter concerning or relating to
the science or practice of medicine or the life or
work of eminent persons.
To suggest, study,
criticize or otherwise advise on, or take part in,
the framing of laws affecting the science of practice
of medicine, medical education, health policies and
health care activities.
To promote esprit
de corps among persons studying or practicing the
science of medicine and to promote good feelings
between them and members of the general public or
public authorities.
To co-operate
with other associations or individuals to promote
the objects of the Association.
To construct,
provide, regulate and maintain buildings, rooms or
other structures for the purpose of the Association
and to alter, add to or remove any of them.
To receive any
gift or legacy of moveable property (including money)
either with or without conditions to promote the
objects of the Association.
To acquire by
purchase, lease, or otherwise, any property, rights,
or privileges for the purposes of the Association.
To sell, improve,
manage, develop, mortgage, lease or let, under-lease
or sub-let, dispose of, turn to account or otherwise
deal with, all or any part of the property of the
Association.
To act as trustees,
agents or managers of property endowed by any person
for objects of or similar to those of the Association.
To organize branches
of the Association or to appoint agents and correspondents
whether in India or elsewhere for promoting all or
any of the objects of he Association.
To draw, make,
accept, endorse, execute, negotiate, purchase, lend
money upon, discount, hold and dispose of cheques,
promissory notes, bills of exchange, drafts and other
instruments and to cancel or vary such instruments
as per statute of Government.
To layout, advance,
invest, and deal with the Association’s moneys
with or to such person and in or upon such investments,
securities and generally in such manner as may from
time to time be determined.
To engage such
officials, servants or other person as may be found
necessary or convenient for the conduct and management
of the affairs of the Association.
To make bye-laws,
rules and regulation of the Association and to delete,
change, or add to the same from time to time.
To do all such
other acts as may be necessary, incidental, conducive
or convenient to the attainment of the above objects
or any of them.
Annual Conference
Initially the only activity
of the Association was the annual conference. The
conference provided an opportunity for members
from all parts of the country to meet, to make,
or renew friendships and to present their scientific
data. For many years specialists associations of
paediatricians, neurologists, endocrinolgists and
psychiatrists held a joint conference with that
of API. Over the years as these bodies matured
and grew in numbers they decided to hold their
own conference separately. However, several other
specialties e.g. diabetologists, clinical pharmacologists,
geriatrics, electro cardiologists, hypertension
and ultrasound specialists have joined hands with
API to hold the joint Annual Conference every year.
The Journal
of The Association of Physicians of India www.japi.org
In 1953 the Governing Body
sanctioned the publication of a Journal when it was
convinced that enough material would be forthcoming
from the members for the regular publication of a Journal.
The official scientific publication of the Association,
JAPI was started under the dynamic Editorship of another
leader from Lucknow’s KGMC, Dr S S Misra was
the First Editor and Dr G Coelho has been the Editor
since 1955. The Journal was published as a quarterly,
then as bimonthly and soon after as monthly.
Other Editors
are Drs. N J Mody, K G Nair, G S Sainani, V R Joshi,
P J Mehta S K Bichile and currently Shashank R Joshi.
After an initial period of teething difficulties,
it has made steady progress and improved in quantity
and production. For many years it added to the funds
of the Association and has so far contributed to
them. The Journal is managed by an Editorial Board
which is assisted by many referees.
Oration and Lectureship
By munificient donations
several orations and lectureships have been started.
The Selection Committee of the Governing Body
of API invites nominations / applications and
selects various orators and lectures.
| Orations |
• |
Netaji
Oration : Dr M N De of Kolkata offered to
the Association a sum of Rs. 5,000/- to endow
an oration to be called “ The Netaji
Oration” to be delivered at the Conference
by a person chosen by the Governing Body
annually. This was accepted by the Governing
Body. The first oration in 1960 Dr B B Bhatia. |
• |
Sarabhai
Oration : The Sarabhai Foundation of Ahmedabad
offered a sum of Rs.10000/- to endow an annual
oration at the Conference. The first orator
of Sarabhai oration 1967 Dr Jivraj N Mehta. |
| Others
Orations are Searle Oration, Prof. Rathinavelu
Subramaniam Oration and Dr PJ Mehta oration. |
Lectureships
To recognize and stimulate
the work carried out by members of the Association
during their career, the Association has founded
a system of lectureships. These lecturers are
selected on the basis of the work published by
them. They are divided into two categories, Senior
and Junior. The latter were at first reserved
for the younger members of the Association who
received their postgraduate qualification not
earlier than 15 years and any members who is
not a Professor and head of the Department. These
lectures have to deliver a lecture in any place
outside their city assigned to them by the Governing
Body. To defray the traveling and other incidental
expenses, the Association has received contributions
from various donors after whom the Lectureships
are named the following Lectureships are now
available.
| Lectureships |
Founded |
| Senior
Lectureship: Hoechst Sr. Lectureship in
Diabetes |
1966 |
| Jr.
Lectureship: Boehirnge – Knoll Jr. Lec
in Diabetes |
1968 |
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| Mrs.
Jal R Vakil Lec. in Cardiology |
1966 |
| Unichem
Lectureship in Haematology |
1968 |
| Unichem
Lectureship in Gastroenterology |
1968 |
| Krishnaji
Govind & Mrs. Pramalabai Bhate |
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| Memorial
Lectureship in Asthma & Bronchitis |
1975 |
| Novo-Nordisk
in Diabetes |
1991 |
| A.P.I
Lec. in Experimental Medicine |
1968 |
| Visiting
Professorship (Endowed by Prof. Shurvir
Singh Trust) |
1968 |
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