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INDIAN NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PEDIATRIC RHEUMATOLOGY The Rheumatology Chapter of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (RCIAP) was conceived in 1999 by a handful of interested individuals. The chapter now has 100 members. On 8th and 9th Nov. 2003, the Chapter held its first National Conference in Mumbai (Bombay). About 150 delegates (mostly pediatricians, and a handful of adult rheumatologists and one physiotherapist) attended this meeting held in the beautifully landscaped, wooded surroundings of the Nehru Science Centre. A unique interactive format was conceived by the organizing team,headed by Dr. R. P. Khubchandani-current President of the Rheumatology Chapter. Delegates were mailed a book well in advance of the meeting. The book carried real life case vignettes (some sent in by delegates and others written up by the organizing team from their case records). Short lectures were followed by interactive sessions where the audience participated in discussing the cases with the panel. The speakers/panelists at the meeting were Dr. Kevin Murray(Australia), Dr. Angelo Ravelli (Italy), Dr. Rolando Cimaz (Italy) and Ms. Sue Maillard (U. K.) The interactive sessions were moderated by Dr. Sujata Sawhney, Dr. Surjit Singh and Dr. Raju Khubchandani(all from India). Barring a few time over-runs, the feedback forms from the delegates showed that the meeting was a grand success. In the words of the President of RCIAP 'the conference marked the naming ceremony of the subspecialty in India.' Dr. Raju P. Khubchandani |