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 a total membership strength of 24. During the war years, the activities of the association declined and came almost to 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 (re-incarnation) 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 extension of the Association to other states and a wide network of state branches and chapters was 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.

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 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 IRA 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 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 advance training in 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.

In 1981, with Prof. Arcot Gajaraj becoming the Chairman, academic activities were given impetus and an attempt was made to organize as many C.M.E. programmes as possible throughout the year in different parts of the country so that interest in imaging is created for post-graduates as well as the Clinicians. Dr.Samir Banerjee, Secretary of the College and Dr. G.R.Jankhania, Treasurer has improved administrative and academic activities of the College. In 1984, under Chairmanship of Dr.G.R.Jankhania, it became mandatory to conduct four to six CME programmes prior to Annual Congress. In 1986, at Jaipur, Convocation was held to award fellowship of ICR to the Founder Members of the College.

Under Chairmanship of Dr. Samir Banerjee, a new chapter started and linked with Royal College of Radiologists, London, U.K. and a team from R.C.R., U. K. visited India and delivered one-day C.M.E. session at Hyderabad (1990) and at Pune (1991). It was in that period few centres in India got recognized for F.R.C.R. Training in India and young Radiologists were given opportunity to visit reputed institution and hospitals in U.K. to learn new techniques in Radiology and Imaging.

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 Teaching 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.

Dr. Mukund Rahalkar, Secretary of the College, took keen interest in improving quality of CME Programmes including Film Reading Sessions. Prof. Kakarla Subba Rao, Chairman of ICRI for six years further improved quality and quantity of the teaching sessions and conducted in small places all over India. Under his Chairmanship, a Text Book on ‘Diagnostic Radiology’ in two volumes was published by contribution from Indian authors ably assisted by Prof. S.K.Bhargava. It was released during 50th Annual Congress of IRIA at Guwahati, Assam in 1997. College is doing excellent job in conducting CME programmes all over India and establishing its office in IRIA House under Chairmanship of Prof. S.Bhadury and Secretary Dr. Bharat Parekh. College has started News Bulletin for better communication, publishing up-dates on new imaging modalities, forthcoming CME Programmes, views from readers. Many more Awards were introduced in the college by present team of office bearers. Prof. J.M. Pinto Award, Onco Imaging Award, Best Research Paper Award, Dr. Rao Award instituted by Dr. Prasanna Rao. Every year theme is given by ICRI selected by Executive Committee and approved by General Body, ICRI. Credit hours for CME is prepared by ICRI recommended by Prof. Kakarla Subbarao and approved by ICRI and IRIA.

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.

MEMBERSHIP OF IRIA

The membership, which was stagnant for many years at 1500 to 1600, an effort was made to increase membership and convert Annual Membership to Life Membership by former Secretary General Dr. Anand Abkari. For the last eight years, membership drive to enroll new Life Members and convert existing members were undertaken. More than 4,000 new life members were enrolled and existing members were converted to Life Members taking total membership to 6,700. This was achieved by the excellent work done by state branch Secretaries and Presidents and ably assisted by Secretaries of City Chapters. Life Membership Certificate was issued to all the Life Members by Central Office.

STATE BRANCES AND CITY CHAPTERS

Now almost every State has State Branches to conduct scientific activities and coordinate with Central Office. Members of Defense, 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 districts and smaller towns.

IRIA HEAD QUARTERS: at C-5, QUTAB INSTITUTIONAL AREA NEW DELHI-110 016

IRIA started constructing its building in 1993 and completed in 1995 which was inaugurated by 5th May 1995 by Prof. J. S. Bajaj in Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi. The land was allotted by DDA about 898.3 sq. meters and three storied building constructed with cellar for accommodating Central Library, Central Office and Seminar Rooms, Guest Rooms, Office of ICRI and records rooms of the Association. The land was allotted to IRIA in 1980 by Delhi Development Authority recommended by Director General, Health Services, with the efforts of Late Dr. Satyapal Aggarwal and Dr. O. P. Bhardwaj and building was constructed with donations from 6th AOCR in 1991. Building was constructed by the Building Committee with its Chairman Dr. Sudeshan K. Aggarwal and Dr. O. P. Bhardwaj, Dr. Santosh Chawla, Dr. S.K.Bhargava, Dr. R. Goulatia, Dr. Veena Chowdhury, Dr. R. N. Bagga, Dr. S. S. Doda, Dr. M. S. Joshi, Dr. A. Gajaraj, Dr. Manorama Berry as its members and President and Secretary General, IRIA are its ex-officio members. Local Building Management committee looks after day to day affairs of IRIA House.

A Central Library is established in IRIA House, New Delhi under the supervision and guidance of Dr.Col.C.S.Pant, VSM and generous support from RSNA and Radiology Outreach Foundation, U. S. A. , Central Office, IRIA is equipped with study material for students and PGs with all the infrastructure.

IRIA publishes three issues of News Bulletin from Central Office edited by Secretary General of IRIA. It gives excellent information about activities, forthcoming programmes, minutes of various meeting and informative articles about equipment purchase, service contract, tax structures and news from industry and C.I.I. (Medical Equipment Division).

AFFILIATION OF INTERNATIONAL SOCIETIES

IRIA has been a member of International Society of Radiology since 1950 and member of Asian and Oceanian Society of Radiology and regularly pays its membership subscription.

IRIA and ICRI has formulated curriculum and syllabus for MD (RD) and DMRD and submitted to MCI for recommendation to all the universities and medical colleges in India.

IRIA has had a glorious background and is looking ahead for playing its role in the advancement of radiology and imaging throughout Asia and SAARC countries. We have a mission and responsibility being the 2nd largest country in the world to contribute effectively the future growth of specialty in the region.