Bombay Orthopaedic Society: The Past, The Present & The Future

DOI: https://doi.org/10.13107/jcorth.2025.v10.i02.750

Open Access License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Submitted Date: 17 Sep 2025, Review Date: 12 Oct 2025, Accepted Date: 19 Nov 2025 & Published Date: 10 Dec 2025

Author: Gautam Zaveri [1]

[1] Department of Orthopaedic, Bombay Orthopaedic Society, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Address of Correspondence

Dr. Gautam Zaveri1
Department of Orthopaedic, Bombay Orthopaedic Society, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Email: gautamzaveri1969@gmail.com

Bombay Orthopaedic Society (BOS): The Past, the Present, and the Future
It is with immense pride that I pen this message on the Diamond Jubilee of the BOS. BOS has been more than just an academic society. It has been an institution that has shaped the lives of scores of orthopedic surgeons across India and beyond. Sixty years is not simply a measure of time but a celebration of an enduring journey built on shared vision, dedication, and fraternity.
As I look back on the journey of BOS, I am filled with admiration for all those who came before us – every President, every Secretary, and every member have contributed to this remarkable story. I am grateful to our past leaders for their wisdom, to my colleagues for their support, and to our younger members for their enthusiasm. The BOS story is not just about the evolution of an organization; it is about the evolution of orthopedic excellence in India.

The Past – “Our Founders Lit the Flame. Our Mentors Nurtured It”
The story of BOS began with a simple yet powerful idea that orthopedic surgeons in Mumbai needed a common platform to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and collectively raise the standards of orthopedic care. In 1965, a handful of visionary orthopedicians came together to form the BOS, the first exclusive and independent orthopedic society in India. Dr R J Katrak was nominated as the first President, Dr LN Vora the Secretary, and Dr (Miss) P K Mullapheroze and Dr K S Masalawalla as Executive Committee members.
In the early years, the BOS meetings were simple, held in hospital auditoriums where cases were discussed with enthusiasm and intellectual honesty. The emphasis was always on sharing knowledge and learning from each other`s experiences. Over time, these meetings evolved into structured academic events, each one contributing to the culture of lifelong learning that defines us even today.
Buoyed by the success of the clinical meetings and the interest they generated, the new society resolved to host an annual conference. Thus, in November 1966 was born – the Western India Regional Orthopaedic Conference (WIROC). What began as a small meeting of regional orthopods soon became a beacon of academic excellence, attracting surgeons from across India and even neighboring nations.
The BOS courses, master series, journal, and clinical fellowships were born out of the same commitment to share and grow together.

The Present- “A Synthesis of Tradition and Transformation”
Six decades later, the BOS stands as a shining symbol of what collaboration, vision, and commitment can achieve. What started as a handful of enthusiasts has grown into a family of over 3700 members, united by a shared commitment to excellence. Our calendar is filled with activities – from Clinical Meetings and Master Series, to Hands-on Courses, Fellowship Programs, and WIROC. Each program is meticulously designed to advance knowledge and skills.
Under the banner of “BOS Worldwide – sharing knowledge, expertise, and experience,” our Society has expanded its horizons beyond geographical boundaries. Through monthly BOS Worldwide webinars, we have forged academic partnerships with orthopedic societies and institutions across the globe. These virtual interactions bring world-renowned experts into the homes and operating rooms of our members, creating a truly global classroom where knowledge knows no borders.
Our commitment to democratizing learning within India is reflected in the BOS Outreach Programs, monthly academic initiatives conducted in tier-2 cities across the country. These programs take the BOS ethos beyond metropolitan boundaries, empowering surgeons in smaller towns with access to the same high-quality education and mentorship that BOS members in Mumbai enjoy. This is BOS’s way of giving back – strengthening orthopedics across India, one city at a time.
The Live Surgery Symposia, broadcast simultaneously to over 20 cities across India, are another milestone in our mission to make advanced surgical education accessible to all. These live telecasts bridge the gap between the operating theater and the classroom, allowing hundreds of orthopedic surgeons to witness techniques and innovations in real time.
Recognizing the evolving needs of modern orthopedic education, we have also restructured the BOS courses into a comprehensive 7-day format. This new structure provides focused, immersive, and hands-on learning in key subspecialties, ensuring participants gain both theoretical insight and practical competence.
The BOS MasterSeries Monographs are a unique initiative by the BOS to bring together focused, evidence-based insights on topics of day-to-day relevance to the practicing orthopedic surgeon. The subjects chosen – giant cell tumors of bone, pediatric elbow fractures, tibial condyle fractures, osteoarthritis of the knee, and failed fracture fixation – represent areas where clinical decisions are often challenging and evolving. Each monograph consolidates current concepts, practical approaches, and recent advances, serving as a ready reference that bridges the gap between theory and practice.
What makes BOS truly special is not just the scale of its activities but the spirit that underlies them – a spirit of mentorship, openness, and fraternity. Our senior members continue to guide with generosity, while the younger generation brings energy and innovation. Together, they create a continuum of learning that keeps BOS alive and relevant.

The Future – “Inspire, Innovate, and Illuminate for the Next Sixty Years and Beyond !!”
As we celebrate 60 glorious years, it is natural to ask, “Where do we go from here?”
In the years to come, BOS must continue to be more than an academic society – it must remain a movement that shapes the future of orthopedics in India and contributes meaningfully to the global orthopedic fraternity.
The world of medicine is evolving at a pace never seen before. Artificial intelligence, robotics, 3D printing, regenerative medicine, and data-driven healthcare are transforming how we diagnose and treat. The future BOS must be ready not only to adapt to these changes but also to lead them with wisdom and responsibility.
Our vision for the coming decades must include:
1. A stronger emphasis on research and innovation – if we are to remain academic leaders, engaging in meaningful research and exploring impactful ideas is vital. Setting up the BOS Research Cell is a step in that direction
2. Strengthening the BOS brand – BOS has gained fame for its excellence in academics. The BOS Master Series Monographs are aimed at further strengthening that reputation. BOS must deliver innovative in-person and virtual academic programs that would be unique to BOS, aided by the excellence within its membership and its legacy of education
3. National collaboration – continuing and strengthening the BOS Outreach Programs and the BOS Live Surgery Symposia through partnerships with city, state, and national orthopedic chapters
4. Global collaboration – expanding the BOS Worldwide Webinars initiative into structured academic alliances, joint research projects, and exchange fellowships with leading orthopedic institutions around the world
5. Community engagement – strengthening our engagement with society by promoting bone and joint health, injury prevention, and rehabilitation awareness among the public
6. A commitment to ethical and evidence-based practice – as technology advances, we must remain anchored in the timeless values of ethical practice, compassion, and patient-centered care.

Reflections- “A Small Idea that Became a Tradition, and a Tradition that Grew to Become a Legacy”
Serving as President during this Diamond Jubilee year is both an honor and a responsibility. I am deeply conscious that we are merely custodians of a legacy – entrusted to preserve its values and pass it on richer and stronger to the next generation.
As we move from Diamond to Platinum and thence to Centenary, technology may change the way we work, but let us remain anchored to the timeless principles that have guided medicine across millennia – to heal, to teach, and to serve. Let BOS continue to shine not merely as an academic society but also as a symbol of excellence and ethical leadership in orthopedics.
To our younger members, I say, “BOS is your platform, your home, and your future. Participate actively, share generously, and uphold the traditions of academic integrity and mutual respect that define our Society. The Society is yours to shape – your ideas, your energy, and your leadership will define its future.”

Acknowledgment
I am grateful to my colleagues on the Executive Committee, our academic coordinators, mentors, and the entire BOS fraternity for their unwavering support and enthusiasm. The strength of BOS lies in its collective spirit – in the energy of its youth, the wisdom of its seniors, and the camaraderie that binds us all.

Long live the Bombay Orthopaedic Society !!

Dr. Gautam Zaveri
President, Bombay Orthopaedic Society
2025–2026.

How to Cite this Article: Zaveri G. Bombay Orthopaedic Society: The Past, The Present & The Future. Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics. July-December 2025;10(2):1-3.

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Author: Gautam Zaveri [1]

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