History

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.K.B. Ghosh, and Dr. Moitra attended the meeting. In April 1932, the Eighth session of Indian Medical Association was held and the Indian Radiological Association met as the Radiological section of I.M.A. under the chairmanship of Dr.M.D.Joshi and during his speech, Dr.Joshi stressed the need for sound radiological education in India. In 1934, once again the radiologists met at a sectional meeting of the Conference of IMA, held at Bombay with Dr. K. P. 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 total membership strength of 24. During the war years, the activities of the association declined and came almost to a standstill, but in 1940, there were sincere attempts to revive the Association and to hold the First Indian Congress of Radiology at Calcutta. Somehow, this attempt was not a success; yet, due to the vigorous and ceaseless efforts of Dr.P.Rama Rao, Dr.Santhan Krishnan Pillai and Dr.K.M. Rai of Madras, the activities were once again resumed and it was indeed the rebirth (reincarnation) of the Association.

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 that time there were 130 members of the association. Gradually, there was an extension of the Association to other states and a wide network of state branches and chapters were formed. As the country gained independence in 1947, there was a spurt in the scientific activities in all fields and radiology was not to lag behind. Postgraduate diplomas and degrees were started gradually in all the medical colleges in the country.

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. Subsequently, it was under Editor-in-Chief of Dr. K. P. Modi, Dr. K. M. Rai, Dr. A. N. Menon, Dr. M. L. Aggarwal, Dr. M. G. Varadharajan, Maj. Gen. S. K. Dhawan, AVSM, Dr. M. S. Joshi and Dr.Om.J.Tavri. Joint Editor and Secretary were Dr. R. F. Sethna, Dr.M.V.Shetty, Dr.L.R. Parthasarathy, Prof. O.P.Bhardwaj, Dr. P. C. Rajaram, Dr. M.S. Joshi, Dr. Om J Tavri and Dr. Suren V. Kothari and Dr.Bhavin Jankharia. Our IJRI has won many awards for excellence in medical printing awarded by Govt. of India and rated as best Journal amongst all 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.

Memorial Medals & Awards

Another landmark in 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 Biophysics 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 21st Annual Congress the Indian Radiological Association at Bangalore, a resolution moved by Dr. L. H. Athale to institute an oration in the name of ‘Dr. Diwan Chand Aggarwal Memorial Oration’. He contributed immensely to the association and was the President in the year 1957. The members of the 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 first Oration. Since then, many eminent Radiologists from India and all over the world delivered this oration.

In 1977, during 30th Annual Congress of IRIA at Chandigarh ‘Dr.K.M. Rai Memorial Oration’ was instituted by the family members of late Dr.K.M.Rai. Due to his efforts, IRA got rebirth in 1946 and conducted 1st Annual Congress of Radiology at Madras and spurt of scientific activities in radiology started again. He was instrumental in starting Journal (IJR) in 1947 and was Associate Editor of the same. He was President of IRA in the year 1953. Dr. O. P. Bhardwaj of New Delhi delivered the first Oration in the year 1978.

In 1980 Dr. Ashoke Mukherjee Award started was by IRA instituted by the family members of late Dr.Ashoke Mukherjee to encourage young Radiologist to take up new investigation and research in Radiology in India. Competitive scientific original work was selected and presented in Annual Congress by young radiologists and Committee appointed by President selects the paper and award is given to the radiologists every year on presentation. Dr. Pramod Kolwadker of Nagpur was the first recipient of this award in the year 1979.

IRA also started Traveling Fellowship for young radiologists to do advanced training in a reputed institution in India in the name of Late Prof. P. K. Haldar and M/s German Remedies in 1982. M/s German Remedies increased the Corpus out of STAR programme in India and now both Traveling fellowships are awarded by ICRI.

The Change in the name of Association

It was felt right that there has been a 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.