The Association of Surgeons of India was established in 1938 to realize a long-standing wish among the Indian surgeons to get together for the purpose of sharing each other’s experiences and enhancing their surgical skills. Our leadership is committed to delivering 100% to the cause of serving the association and seeking the cooperation of each of the members just as always to rebuild an ASI which is stronger, stellar and litigation free. Department of Surgery, G.S.V.M. Medical College, Kanpur was privileged to hold the 32nd Annual Conference of the ASI. It turned out to be a great success and was considered a landmark in the history of the association. After meeting all the obligations, the organizing committee had a surplus fund of Rs. 70,000/- left over. A sum of Rs. 10,000/- was donated to the parent body namely Association of Surgeons of India. Adequate utilization of Rs. 60,000/- was considered and many proposals were brought forward. This matter was debated for almost two years. The organizers were very keen to spend this money in such a manner that could benefit surgeons of Kanpur and Uttar Pradesh for a long time. Although there were some regional societies of surgery there were no branches of the ASI or for that matter any All India professional body except Indian Medical Association.
Dr. Tara Chandra mooted the idea of starting the first chapter of the ASI in UP. The idea was widely acclaimed. It fired the imagination of a large number of surgeons of the state. With a large reservoir of goodwill, Confidence and hope she issued a state-wide appeal, to surgeons of the state to meet in the Medical College, Kanpur on 15th November 1975, to formally establish UP Chapter of ASI. The response was overwhelming. 100 Surgeons representing all the medical colleges of UP, PMS and private sector attended the first conference on 15.11.1975. Amongst the participants, doyens of surgery Dr S.C. Misra, Dr B.N. Sinha, Dr S.P. Srivastava, Dr R.V. Singh, Dr G.P. Srivastava, Dr K.N. Udupa Attended the founding session. It speaks eloquently of the wide interest the proposal had created spontaneously in the state.
Dr S.C. Misra, F.R.C.S., Professor and Head of the department of surgery and senior most surgeon in UP, a founder member of ASI agreed to our request to be the first President of the chapter. The conference was held under the Chairmanship of Dr. H.C. Verma, Principal of the college. Dr B.N. Sinha, F.R.C.S., President of the Medical Council of India inaugurated the conference. His words of wisdom and ex-cathedral advice are still widely remembered. Surgeons present signed a register of the founder members. The meeting was followed by scientific sessions on 15th and 16th November 1975. On 15th November lunch was hosted by Dr. Brijendra Swarup. Dr T.P. Bannerji gave a fellowship dinner at his residence. On 16th November 1975 constitution was discussed and passed. An Executive Committee was elected (list given elsewhere). The meeting ended with lot of rejoicing and confidence for the future.