The Indian Doctors Forum: Humble Beginnings & The Journey So Far.
It gives me great satisfaction and a sense of pride when I look at the Indian Doctors Forum in 2023. Somewhere at the beginning of 2004, Dr. George Varghese shared with some of us, including Dr. Narayan Nampoory, Dr. Amir Ahmad, Dr. Prasad Nair, Dr. Noble Zacharia, Dr. Jaganath Chodankar, his thoughts of having an Indian doctors' association. This led to a wider discussion with our colleagues, both seniors as well as juniors.
The name 'Indian Doctors Forum' (IDF) was agreed upon and the objectives of the forum viz. community service, furthering strong bonds between India and Kuwait and providing a platform for social and cultural expression for Indian doctors and their families. Dr. CG Suresh and Dr. Radhakrishna Panicker were entrusted with the task of drafting the constitution. An executive committee representing all the healthcare facilities, both public and private was formed. The first office bearers were nominated with Dr. Narayan Nampoory as the first president.
IDF was launched in a glittering ceremony in KMA, in the presence of Mr. Swashpawan Singh, Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr. Ala Al Saleh, President Kuwait Medical Association, Prof. Abdullah Behbahani, Dean Faculty of Medicine, Indian community leaders and members of the Indian medical fraternity. It was followed by a formal recognition of IDF as a part of KMA.
The forum soon outperformed its own expectations through its selfless community service in the form of free health camps, school health programs, and health awareness campaigns for the community. The first annual cultural program “DOCFEST 2005” was graced by the Honorable Minister of Health, State of Kuwait Dr. Mohammad Al Jarallah, and Honorable Union Minister Mr. Jagdish Tytler. The occasion saw the release of the first widely acclaimed annual health guide edited by Dr. Noble Zacharia and me. The DOCFEST and the release of health guide became much sought-after and eagerly awaited annual events. Subsequently, innovative programs like “meet the specialist” and inter-school health quizzes were added to the array of programs. The IDF members generously donated funds to help victims of natural calamities such as Tsunamis, floods, earthquakes, and more recently the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of the hallmarks of IDF has been a smooth democratic transition every two years to a new committee of office bearers. I had the good fortune to be the first elected president. The transfer of personal goodwill earned by the members of IDF through laudable professional excellence so well personified by our founding president Dr Narayan Nampoory to IDF has helped the forum achieve its premier status. The high point of IDF journey has been the patronage of His Highness, The Amir of Kuwait and the Pravasi Bharati award from His Excellency The President of India.
I wish to thank all the members and their families on behalf of all former presidents of IDF, Dr. Narayan Nampoory, Dr. Riaz Khan, Dr. Amir Ahmed, Dr. Vinod Grover, Dr. Abhay Patwari, Dr. Surender Nayak ant the current President Dr. Diwakara Chaluvaiah, office bearers and executive committee members for their great contribution in the remarkable journey of IDF. Long live IDF and Indo-Kuwait friendship and partnership.
Dr. Ramesh Pandita,
Consultant Haemaotologist, Kuwait Cancer Control Center
President IDF 2006 - 2008