AAPI Journal • March 2009 FEATURE Reflections On The Second <strong>In</strong>do-US Summit
AAPI Journal • March 2009 FEATURE Partners With AAPI <strong>To</strong> Host A Successful Medical Conference <strong>In</strong> Goa, <strong><strong>In</strong>dia</strong> by Nasir A. Khan, M.D. Nasir A. Khan, M.D. President, <strong><strong>In</strong>dia</strong>n Medical Association of New England The <strong><strong>In</strong>dia</strong>n Medical Association of New England (IMANE), in collaboration with the American Association of Physicians of <strong><strong>In</strong>dia</strong>n Origin (AAPI), hosted a very successful medical conference in Goa, <strong><strong>In</strong>dia</strong>, on Dec. 28-30, 2008. Most of the physicians who had signed up for the conference attended, despite the recent Mumbai tragedy. Twenty-two physicians were awarded certificates for 6 hours of Category I CME credits through my office at Bournewood Hospital. Their evaluations of the event gave an average approval rating of 4.85 on a scale of 1 to 5. I moderated the two sessions and lectured on “Impaired Medical Students and Physicians.” The other speakers included Rajendra Seth, MD, <strong>In</strong>ternist from Pennsylvania, who spoke on “Hypertension” and “Cardio metabolic Syndrome,” Professor Atul Bhatnager, DDS, Orthodontist from Luknow, <strong><strong>In</strong>dia</strong>, who presented on “Post-Operative Rehabilitation in Maxillo Facial Surgical Procedures” and Sivaprasad Madduri, MD, Urologist from Missouri, who spoke on “Andropause – Male Hypogonadism – Fact or Fiction,” and on “The Irritable Bladder.” We stayed in Goa four nights at the Hotel De Cidade, which is situated on the Vainguinim Beach. All the participants agreed that the resort was superb. The all-inclusive amenities included meals, spa, pool and beach, and were befitting of a world-class resort. During the day, temperatures reached 90 degrees. The evenings were cooler with a gentle breeze. The conference facility was conducive for formal power point presentations, coupled with opportunities for relaxation and socialization. Located on the West Coast of South <strong><strong>In</strong>dia</strong> along the Arabian Ocean, Goa is a visitor’s paradise and all of us had the chance to sightsee and learn more about its long and interesting history. Goa had Hindu and Muslim rulers but was actually settled by the Portuguese in 1510 to further the spice trade and spread Christianity. Goa’s harbor and wide rivers were felt to be ideal for their ships. <strong>In</strong> 1961, <strong><strong>In</strong>dia</strong> reclaimed its territory, but even now, Roman Catholicism remains the predominant religion with world famous churches and skirts outnumber saris. <strong>To</strong> get better acquainted with the area and its scenic points of interest, we had bus tours arranged to some of the most popular local attractions. Panjabi, the capital of Goa and the smallest of all capitals in <strong><strong>In</strong>dia</strong>, was a pleasant city to wander around and bargain for souvenirs. Old Goa was more historical. The Basilica of Bom Jesus was built in 1605 and houses the remains of St. Francis Xavier and the Se Cathedral, supposedly the largest church in Asia, were some of the highlights from a tourist perspective. Other sights we admired included the Hindu Mangueshi Temple, with its well-preserved white tower, and the Fort Arguada on the coast, which conveyed the past need for fortification against other European predators. <strong>In</strong> addition to exploring Goa’s illustrious past, we also enjoyed the Goa of today, which is renowned for its superb, sandy beaches and the warm ocean waters. <strong>In</strong> fact, it has become a major attraction for Europeans and Russians fleeing from the dark, cold winters. Some of the tourists are backpackers and stay in Continued on page 20 www.aapiusa.org 19
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