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 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.
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.
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 Bio-physics 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 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 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.
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. 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.
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.
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 10,500. This was achieved by the excellent work done by state chapter Secretaries and Presidents and ably assisted by Secretaries of City Chapters. Life Membership Certificate was issued to all the Life Members by Central Office.
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