Dear Friends,

As my Presidential term is drawing to a close in a few days, I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude to you for giving me the distinct honour & unique opportunity to serve our esteemed Association at the apex position.

It has well and truly been a roller coaster ride for all of us this year – I pray and hope that we see better times in 2021.

With folded hands, my heartfelt gratitude to good friends – Dr. Sanjay Jain – the silent, dynamic & astute Honorary Secretary, Dr. CRK Prasad – the vigilant & watchful Honorary Treasurer & Dr. Santhosh John Abraham – the ever-energetic Director Academic Council, who has been the "chief architect" of the online "learning extravaganza" in 2020. Without these three pillars of support, this year would not have been the "year that was".

Nothing gives me more pleasure than to enclose a Link to the Editorial just published in the December issue of The Indian Journal of Surgery, which gives a bird's eye view of "New ASI" – a creative, progressive & accountable Association, which would be taken forward by dear friend & our Vice President, Dr. Abhay Dalvi, who has stood "shoulder to shoulder" with me in implementing some landmark decisions during the year.

Link:
"2020 – The year that was"
Editorial, Dec. 2020 issue, Indian Journal of Surgery
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12262-020-02675-0

Finally, I can never ever forget the "grassroot" personnel – the Office Staff @ ASI Headquarters, very ably led by the 'hard working" & unassuming Mr. Gopi Kannan, and equally, Website/Communication Department so efficiently/effortlessly managed by the "ever helpful" Mr. Jitender and his friendly staff, in particular, the "ever available" / most helpful, Mr Avinit Kumar.

In closing, wishing you and your family…
Season's Greetings, Good health & a Happy new year.

Warmest personal regards.

Yours in service of ASI…

Dr. P. Raghu Ram
MS, FRCS (Eng), FRCS (Edin), FRCS (Glasg), FRCS (Irel),
FACS, Hon FRCS (Thailand), Hon FCSSL (Sri Lanka)

Padma Shri awardee (2015)
Dr. B. C. Roy awardee (2016)

President
The Association of Surgeons of India
www.asiindia.org