Dear colleagues,                                                    

Greetings to you all, I write to you this time as the outgoing President. I take this opportunity to thank all of you for your cooperation and participation in the activities of the association. In retrospect I have a sense of satisfaction at what has been achieved and hope that we will continue to work towards the goals of the association. During the past two years we have conducted two workshops, one at Hyderabad and the other at Alleppy, I am convinced that these workshops have gone a long way in paving the way for future activities.

In addition to the routine activities like conferences and workshops the Association has participated in many special activities both formally and through the participation of its members. APCRI and its members have maintained close relationships with the National authorities and the authorities at the State level.

I on this occasion would like to acknowledge the support and patronage of the authorities at NICD Delhi, DCGI Delhi, NIMHANS Bangalore, IPM Hyderabad, PII Conoor, CRI Kasauli and a host of other organizations who have been the source of our strength. I take this opportunity to thank all our friends from the industry both Indian and multinationals for their steadfast support for the activities of the asso­ciation, without their support none of our initiatives would have seen the light of day.

I call upon all members to strive for the implementation of the Intradermal Rabies Vaccination which has made a tentative start in various parts of the country. We need focus on this issue and also I am happy to note that the elements of a National Rabies Control Programme are being piloted by the authorities at NICD and I wish them all the success in this momentous venture.

I thank all the members, the executive committee and my fellow office bearers of APCRI for their constant support and encouragement. I will fail in my duties if I do not mention the support of Dr F X Meslin and Dr Deborah Briggs who have stood by the association and guided us in all our endeavors.

I wish the next team of office bearers and the executive committee all the very best and hope that they will carry the association to greater heights and bring laurels to the association. I would like to conclude by reaffirming our commitment to the cause of achieving the goals of our association.

Mandya, 6th July 2007 

Dr. B. J. Mahendra
President, APCRI