About Us

Research society of BJMC & SGH was formulated in October 1968 by a small group of highly dedicated sincere doctors working with Sassoon general hospitals, Pune. The objective of establishing a research society was to foster research enthusiasm and to encourage the doctors to undertake research in their respective clinical domain. In order to disseminate the research work, however small, research society initiated a scientific publication of Medical Journal of Western India. The small clinical gatherings of Sassoon hospital to discuss the research findings among various disciplines later, culminated into a classical ritual of annual conference. Dr Mutalik, professor of Medicine who had recently returned from John Hopkins, mooted the idea of formulation of Research Society for BJ Medical College and Sassoon General Hospitals and was aptly supported Dr Y M Bhende, Dr Ravi Gulati, Dr H V Sardesai. During those days, Sassoon General Hospitals enjoyed the privilege of being Charitable Institutions. The constitution and bye laws were formulated for research society. Department of Medicine conceptualized the Research Society and continued to accommodate the office of society for many years later. To establish a research society during 1968 was an innovative visionary step to promote and support research at Medical Colleges in Maharashtra.

The founder members of the Research Society consist of administrators and academicians of repute and are detailed as below.

No Name Designation No Name Designation
1 Dr B B Dikshit Rtd Surgeon General, Govt Maharashtra 2 Dr J K Andranvala Rtd Director of Health Services
3 Dr Y M Bhende Dean, B J Medical College 4 Dr V G Ganla Professor of Physiology
5 Dr G S Mutalik Professor of Medicine 6 Dr G V Joglekar Reader in Pharmacology
7 Dr R Anjeneyulu Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology 8 Dr (Mrs)L N Mehta Reader in Anatomy
9 Dr S P Sane Hon Assistant Surgeon 10 Dr V J Apte Reader in Pathology
11 Dr (Mrs) M N Natu Reader in Preventive & Social Medicine 12 Dr H V Sardesai Hon Physician
13 Dr C J Mistry Reader in Medicine
Initially, the membership was open to all medical as well as non-medical personnel. The society though formulated within the B J Medical College, was reformed to stand independent from the shackles of bureaucratic procedures. The Dean was made to be ex-officio member of the society. The Society still retains its independence and freedom to choose the areas of work. The society was duly registered with charity Commissioner of Pune.

The society in order to fund the research undertaken by its members opted to raise the coffers through donations. It also facilitated the research scientists to acquire any equipment required. Research Society after inception, gained momentum and was able to flourish for few years. Later, few setbacks resulted in the dormancy of the activities. Realizing the research potential of clinic-pathological meetings, research society incorporated and amalgamated inter-departmental meetings as a part of research society to revive from dormancy. However, the clinic-pathological conferences and interdepartmental activities were amalgamated as research activities to revive the research society. During 1968-1983, research society served as a medium to spread the research findings, to rise the research funding and encourage researchers to undertake research projects. Due to declining interest and lack of initiatives from the doctors, research society activities were limited in the later years.

Research Society took new breath under the secretarial leadership of Dr Sudha Kanitkar, Department of Pharmacology. She not only kept the house in order but also infused innovative activities. With support from Dr M J Joshi, research society metamorphosed into activity hub organizing annual conferences, funding research projects, encouraging young scientists and facilitating research grant from various organizations.