BOS-JCORTH | Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics | Vol 10 | Issue 2 | July-December 2025 | page: 06-08 | Anand J Thakur

DOI: https://doi.org/10.13107/jcorth.2025.v10.i02.754

Open Access License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Copyright Statement: Copyright © 2025; The Author(s).

Submitted Date: 8 Oct 2025, Review Date: 10 Nov 2025, Accepted Date: 20 Nov 2025 & Published Date: 10 Dec 2025

Author: Anand J Thakur [1, 2]

[1] Irla Nursing Home, 189 S V road, Irla, Vile Parle West, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

[2]Formerly Hon. Orthopaedic surgeon, Cooper Hospital, Juhu, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Address of Correspondence
Dr. Anand Thakur,
Formerly Hon. Orthopaedic surgeon, Cooper Hospital, Juhu.Mumbai
Irla Nursing Home, 189 S V road, Irla, Vile Parle West, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Email: thakurajt@gmail.com

In the early 1960s, a dozen or so surgeons were exclusively practicing orthopedics in Mumbai. They were busy serving the needy patients, but had little academic interaction. Dr. A K. Talwalkar had initiated a travelling fellowship for Indian orthopedic surgeons. Sir Herbert Sedon visited Mumbai in 1962 and held clinical meetings at three medical colleges. This created academic enthusiasm among 20 or so orthopedic surgeons actively practicing in Mumbai. The need for a professional society to stay up-to-date in the subject and disseminate orthopedic knowledge and expertise led Bombay’s surgeons to come together in the last quarter of 1964. Under Dr. A K. Talwalkar’s leadership, periodic clinical meetings were held; Dr. L N. Vora was the organising secretary.
In the early days of 1965, the British Orthopaedic Association chose R J Katrak as its honorary fellow, the only orthopedic surgeon from India to receive such an honor. The newly formed group used the occasion to formalize the formation of their professional society and commemorate the unique academic event by instituting the Dr. R J. Katrak Oration. Dr. R J Katrak was the first president of the society, and L N Vora was the founding secretary. In 1965, Mumbai had a brand-new professional society, the first of its kind and an oration that grew in stature over the years. The Indian Orthopaedic Association was already established under the umbrella leadership of the Association of Surgeons of India (ASI); there was no other orthopedic association at the time.
Founding members were Drs. R J Katrak, M G Kini, A K Talwalkar, K T Dholakia and K S Masalawala. Dr. (Miss) P K Mullaferoze, M A Vali, G S Chawra, R M Bhansali, J C N Joshipura, M V Sant, S K Bulcahndani, Gaitonde, K V Chaubal, B B Joshi, Maj. Gen. L K Anantnarayan, L N Vora, M N Shahane, A V Bavdekar, S K Bhandare, C J Pradhan and D D Tanna; Dr. D D Tanna is the last surviving founding member. Later, orthopedic surgeons from Gujarat, Maharashtra, and coastal Karnataka joined the academic activities.
On November 19, 20, 1966, the first Western India Regional Orthopaedic Conference (WIROC(R)) was held in CVTC-KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai 400012 over 2 days. Dr. Arthur De Sa, president of ASI, inaugurated the 1st WIROC. Dr B Mukhopadhyay of Patna delivered the first R J Katrak Oration: “Use and Abuse of Metal”. The annual event was held alternately in Mumbai and at neighboring cities, including Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Mahabaleshwar, Mt. Abu, Nashik, and Solapur. Maj. Gen. L K Anant Narayan hosted the fourth meeting in a military environment of the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune. Dr. Talwalkar’s bungalow in Pune was the venue for the conference banquet. The last meeting outside Mumbai was also held in Pune on 22 and 23 November 1986 at Sancheti; Dr. Ajit Damle was the organizing secretary. The Dr. A K Talwalkar Prize for the best paper at these conferences was the highlight that brought out excellence in the younger members of the profession.
Two-monthly clinical meetings were the backbone of the society’s activities. All the orthopedic surgeons in Mumbai used to attend. The residents honed their presentation skills in describing the clinical findings of a case, which was then freely discussed. Whenever the common discussion ended in a directive for further management, Dr. A K Talwalkar made a point to ask the local surgeon to present his results at the next meeting at the same hospital. Sure enough, he would remember the case in the next round. The host clinicians used audiovisual equipment for the 1st time to present data at Dr. R N Cooper Hospital; another first was that the Bombay Orthopaedic Society (BOS) held its clinical meeting outside the medical college circuit and away from Mumbai city. The tea breaks were stylish snacks in decent porcelain cups and saucers, accompanied by crispy biscuits and tasty chutney sandwiches; the local chief paid the bill. After the meeting, which concluded around 1 o’clock, all participants attended a lunch held at a nearby restaurant. The meetings were held in Mumbai city, primarily at KEM Hospital, JJ Hospital, Nair Hospital, Children’s Orthopaedic Hospital, and the Central Government Rehabilitation Centre. The lunch was often at Kemp’s Corner. The lunch was contributory. However, the President provided the booze. Dr. A K Talwalkar was the first president to do so.
The second activity was of postgraduate teaching. Individual teachers held clinics late in the afternoon or evening for the postgraduates. This activity was teacher-oriented and gained momentum closer to the examination days. BOS then initiated a lecture program for postgraduate students, which was held twice a year. Didactic lectures were held over 2 days. The initial venue was Wadia Children’s Hospital. Where the nurses’ auditorium and nurses’ mess offered a peaceful environment.
The clinical meetings were initially irregular in frequency and were held as and when it suited the secretary; there was no regular program for the society until 1979. The BOS published the first calendar of events around 1980. It was a fanfold affair, and we used both sides to highlight and advertise the dates of the clinical meetings and postgraduate teaching program. A year later, the first BOS wall planner was published. The first specialized teaching program, “Hand Surgery for Orthopaedic Surgeons” was conceived and held by Dr B.B. Joshi at MGM Hospital, Parel, in 1981.
In 1972, in collaboration with E Merk and Co., we started the “Bombay Orthopaedic Society and Neurobion Mark Fellowship”; Dr A K Talwalkar was the chief motivator in securing cooperation of the pharma company. Two young orthopedic surgeons from anywhere in India are to spend a month in Mumbai and study the work here every alternate year. The other year, two young orthopedics from Western India visited centers in other parts of the country.
Not content with these activities, the society added an annual refresher course for young orthopedic surgeons in 1979, focusing on techniques of fracture treatment and fixation. The same year, we established a photographic slide and audio-tape library, courtesy of Dr K S Masalawala, to help teachers and students pursue studies in orthopedics. The society was associated with establishment and running of Bone Tumor registry and works at the J J Hospital; trauma ambulance service at Sion hospital for speedy and safe transport of severely injured patients; Rheumatic arthritis clinic at Nair hospital, research in rehabilitation technique at KEM Hospital, Polio and Cerebral palsy management at Children’s Orthopaedic Hospital, Haji Ali and All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation also at Haji Ali, Mumbai.
Dr. A K Talwalkar stands out as an outstanding leader to promote new and innovative teaching activities for orthopedic surgeons in BOS and nationwide. His enthusiasm for new teaching activities remained unabated, even in his advanced years (Fig. 1).

Figure 1: Dr. A K Talwalkar’s letter to start a M.Ch. like course under BOS. The meeting of the governing body to approve his suggestions. From left to right: Drs. M N Shahane, A K Talwalkar, K V Chaubal, C G Pradhan, S J Kumbhani, President, W G Ramarao, Standing: Anand J Thakur, Secretary.

The society maintained an atmosphere from the beginning where young and old, radical and conservative, discussed orthopedics in a free and fearless atmosphere, later mixing it with goodwill and humor. As a result, legendary orthopedic picnics were as much a part of the professional fabric as academic discussions. (Fig. 2)

Figure 2: Picnic at Lonavala. From left to right: Atul Modi, Shabbir Choonia, Naveen Shah, B B Joshi, Unidentified, D D Tanna, Bindu Vora, W G RamaRao, Manju Tanna, Urmila Thakur, L N Vora, G S Chawra. Sitting: Ashok Maniar, Kanishka.

Figure 3: Inevitable gaming session. From left to right: Urmila Thakur, D D Tanna, Atul Modi, Shabbir Choonia, L N Vora, W G RamaRao, Bindu Vora, Manju Tanna.

Figure 4: Precursor of Bombay orthopedic society calendar of events: “Almanac”.

Several times a year, the members spent a weekend in nearby esoteric holiday spots, such as hydro-power generating stations, a niche bungalow in Bombay Harbor under the port trust, a hill station location reserved for the exclusive use of upper echelons of Bombay’s industrial elite, and famed seaside locations. It used to be an all-male affair, except on rare occasions, the families too joined.
In the 1970s, Indian book publishers were not interested in Indian medical literature, and foreign publishers hardly considered India a source for new publications. To provide an impetus to writing on the Indian orthopedic scene, BOS proposed to give an encouragement prize to someone who would write a treatise, a glorified term for the then-common format of writing a thesis for the M.S. Exam. Initially, people used to send their modified M.S. thesis with some additional data and viewpoints. In 1986, Dr. P Chacko of Kochi was the 1st to submit such a work, “Compression plating of long bone fracture – a new technique,” and was given the Best Treatise Award. The situation later improved, and we received printed books as well; BOS created a new award for the Best Book of the year. There was a severe shortage of clinical papers in the world literature from India. The Indian Journal of Orthopedics was not as established as it is now; its publication was irregular and erratic, with a paucity of funds being the leading cause. In 1992, the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, British volume, published only two papers from India; the American volume never accepted any of our papers. The BOS created the Publications Recognition Award to overcome this lacuna.
In 1980, BOS hosted the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Indian Orthopaedic Association. In the initial 25 years, there had never been a suitable time to hold that meeting in Mumbai; however, the Silver Jubilee was celebrated in grand style at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Apollo Bunder, Mumbai, with nearly 900 delegates attending from across the nation.
During the initial years, BOS members made substantial contributions to the orthopedic cause at the national level. 7 BOS members served as IOA presidents: A.K. Talwalkar 1959, M V Sant 1965, K T Dholakia 1967, K S Masalawala 1970, L K Ananthanarayanan 1974, B B Joshi 1979. Dr. W G. Ramarao served as the secretary from 1979 to 1981. Dr. A K Talwalkar, on a personal level, engaged with Johnson and Johnson to establish a national travelling fellowship for Indian orthopedic surgeons. In Mumbai, Dr. Talwalkar hosted the fellows at his expense, and he continued to lead the program between 1963 and 1973. Later, Dr. W G Ramarao led from 1974 to 1978. Dr. A K Talwalkar also organized a Smith and Nephew U K travelling fellowship for Indian Orthopedic surgeons.
The Bombay Orthoptic Society celebrated its silver jubilee in 1989 at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Mumbai. Dr. Vijay Gavande was the secretary.
Over the first 25 years, the society experienced robust growth in all aspects of orthopedic surgery. It helped in the dispersal of orthopedic knowledge in a very special way, elegantly expressed as:
एक हमीं हैं जो आँखों से पिलाते हैं
यू कहने को दुनिया में मयख़ाने हज़ारों हैं —शहरयार

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BOS-JCORTH | Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics | Vol 10 | Issue 2 | July-December 2025 | page: 24-27 | Mandar Agashe, Satish Mutha

DOI: https://doi.org/10.13107/jcorth.2025.v10.i02.262

Open Access License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Copyright Statement: Copyright © 2025; The Author(s).

Submitted Date: 11 Jul 2025, Review Date: 08 Aug 2025, Accepted Date: 10 Sep 2025 & Published Date: 10 Dec 2025

Author: Mandar Agashe [1, 2, 3], Satish Mutha [4, 5]

[1] Department of Orthopaedics, Agashe Hospital, Kurla, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
[2]Department of Orthopaedics, SRCC Children’s hospital, Haji Ali, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
[3]Department of Orthopaedics, BJ Wadia Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
[4]Department of Orthopaedics, Siddhi Nursing Home, Vakola, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
[5]Department of Orthopaedics, PD Hinduja Hospital, Khar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Address of Correspondence

Dr. Mandar Agashe,
Department of Orthopaedics, Agashe Hospital, Kurla, SRCC Children’s Hospital, Haji Ali, BJ Wadia Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
E-mail: mandarortho@gmail.com

Editorial

In March 2021, amidst an atmosphere of uncertainty and cautious optimism, we undertook the monumental task of organizing Western India Regional Orthopedic Conference (WIROC) 2021 in Mumbai. This was not just another academic gathering – it was a symbol of resilience, scientific progress, and professional solidarity. Occurring in the narrow window between the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, WIROC 2020 Unlocked (so-named as WIROC 2020 due to it being in financial year 2020-21) emerged as one of the first major medical conferences in India to be held physically after the initial lockdowns and restrictions.
As the Organizing Secretaries, led by our extremely supportive and ever-resilient Organizing chairman (and BOS President) Dr. Shubhranshu Mohanty, we were driven not just by duty, but by a deeper conviction: The orthopedic community needed to reconnect – not just virtually, but in person. After a long period of webinars and virtual meets, it was very important to have the personal human touch. The pandemic had isolated us, strained hospital systems, and transformed our professional lives. The time was ripe to reignite collaboration, share experiences, and reinvest in learning and teaching.

Conceptualization: More than Just a Conference
In September 2020, when Dr. Mohanty first proposed the idea of holding a physical in-person WIROC, we were met with a mix of enthusiasm and apprehension (Figure 1). While the desire to resume academic activities was unanimous, the shadow of the pandemic loomed large. The first COVID-19 wave was just subsiding, and the medical fraternity was exhausted. Planning a physical conference felt ambitious – some even called it reckless. We still remember the calls from very senior orthopedic surgeons who, in their gentle (and some not-so-gentle words), tried to dissuade us from even thinking of such a thing.

Figure 1: The first zoom meeting about the concept of Western India Regional Orthopedic Conference (WIROC) unlocked with Dr. SS Mohanty (BOS President), Dr. Swapnil Keny (BOS General secretary), Dr. Mandar Agashe, and Dr. Satish Mutha (WIROC secretaries).

Yet, we believed that with the right precautions, strategic planning, and unwavering commitment, we could pull it off – not just as an event, but as a beacon of revival.
The decision to proceed was not made lightly. We consulted infectious disease experts, epidemiologists, hospital administrators, government officials, and colleagues. What convinced us to move forward was the shared longing among orthopedic professionals to engage, learn, and connect after a prolonged period of isolation. We named our conference “Unlocked” as we wanted to unlock our lives after the unnerving Lockdowns and bring about a sense of normalcy after this devastating period.

Planning in A Pandemic: Navigating Uncharted Territory
Unlike traditional conference planning, organizing WIROC 2021 demanded that we rethink everything – from venue logistics to travel arrangements, delegate safety to session formats. Every detail required a COVID-aware approach. Our trusted team at VAMA events – Mr. Vikram Patwardhan, Mr. Vaibhav, and others also were supremely helpful in finding and keeping all rules in abeyance for the event – something which most were not aware of.
The second wave of COVID 19 started around February 2021 and almost put a spanner in the works. With the ever-increasing COVID numbers, there was some skepticism in the air, but we had full confidence in our preparations and our ability to pull off this seemingly impossible task. There were some hiccups with the constantly changing governmental and BMC rules just few days before the conference. However, Vikram and team VAMA ensured that everything was sorted and all precautions were taken.
We tried to make our conference as “COVID-proof” as possible by the following means:

Safety protocols
Our first priority was health and safety. We worked closely with local health authorities to design protocols that followed standard government guidelines. This included:
• Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction testing and temperature screening for all attendees
• Mandatory mask-wearing and hand sanitization stations across the venue
• Social distancing enforced in lecture halls with reduced seating capacity
• Controlled movement flows to avoid crowding in exhibition areas and dining zones
• We also provided on-site medical assistance and a dedicated isolation room in case of emergencies.

Hybrid format
WIROC 2020-Unlocked was probably the first conference which utilized the hybrid model of delivering high-quality education from distant parts of the world and coordinating it with live physical lectures. We coordinated with many premier institutes around the world such as the King’s college, London, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Rady Children’s hospital, San Diego, and many more. This ensured that international faculty and those unable to attend in person could still participate. While this added a layer of logistical complexity, it was essential for inclusivity and safety. Our AV team led by the maverick Mr. Peter Anand was up to the task and ensured a seamless experience both to the overseas faculty as well as the delegates sitting in the auditorium.

Venue and infrastructure
We selected a venue that offered spacious halls with excellent ventilation, open-air dining arrangements, and advanced tech infrastructure to support live streaming. The Rennaisance convention center proved to be a perfect place for this conference and the team really bent over backwards to see to it that all rules and protocols were followed and no mishaps occurred. Collaborating with AV teams, we rehearsed extensively to ensure seamless hybrid delivery, pre-recorded presentations, and real-time interactions with virtual faculty.

The Day Arrived: The Thrill of Reuniting
Despite the countless hours of planning, nothing could prepare us for the energy that filled the halls on the opening day of WIROC 2020. There was a palpable sense of joy and gratitude among delegates. For many, this was their first in-person meeting in over a year. Old friendships were rekindled, new ideas exchanged, and the communal passion for orthopedics reignited.

Highlights included
Keynote lectures from national and international stalwarts in orthopedics, including live Q&A with overseas speakers joining remotely.
Interactive workshops and symposia conducted with stringent hygiene protocols.
Inauguration by the legendary Padma-Vibhushan Mr. Ratan Tata (Figure 2 and 3).

Figure 2: Inauguration ceremony by Padma Vibhushan Mr. Ratan Tata, IOA President Dr. Shivashankar, BOS President and Western India Regional Orthopedic Conference (WIROC) Organising chairman Dr. SS Mohanty, and WIROC secretaries Dr. Mandar Agashe and Dr. Satish Mutha.

Figure 3: Padma Vibhusan Mr. Ratan Tata with Dr. Mandar Agashe and Dr. Satish Mutha.

Presidential guest lecture by famous author, thinker, and social commentator, Mr. Chetan Bhagat.
Masterful orations by Dr. AR Karkhanis (Dr. RJ Katrak Oration) (Figure 4) and Dr. Daryl D’Lima (Dr. KT Dholakia eponymous lecture).
Sessions on telemedicine, mental health, and the future of orthopedic care in a post-COVID world, which resonated deeply with attendees.
In many ways, the conference became therapeutic – a safe space for the community to reflect, recharge, and move forward together.

Figure 4: Dr. AR Karkhanis delivering the prestigious Dr. RJ Katrak oration.

Overcoming Challenges: Grit, Teamwork, and Innovation
The road to WIROC 2021 was anything but smooth. Every phase presented unprecedented challenges, demanding flexibility, rapid problem-solving, and emotional strength.

Uncertainty and fear
With COVID-19 cases fluctuating and the possibility of a second wave looming, every week brought new anxieties. Hotels, sponsors, and even delegates were hesitant. We had to maintain constant communication, update contingency plans, and assure all stakeholders of our preparedness.

Sponsorship and funding
The economic impact of COVID-19 meant that sponsorship budgets were limited, and convincing partners to invest in an uncertain event was challenging. We adopted a lean financial model, reduced frills, and focused on value-driven content. Sponsors who did come on board appreciated the brand visibility in a high-impact, pioneering event.

Delegate and team morale and teamwork
Many on our team were frontline workers who had been battling the pandemic first-hand. Balancing conference duties with professional and personal commitments was tough. Yet, the shared purpose gave us strength. The dedication of the team, support staff, and committee members was extraordinary. We were bound by a common belief: this mattered.

Legacy and Reflection
WIROC 2021 was not just a successful academic event; it was a symbol of what is possible when purpose, planning, and passion align. It reminded us that even in times of crisis, the medical community can rise, adapt, and lead. Our Chairperson, Dr. SS Mohanty’s vision of re-starting and in fact “unlocking” our lives post the pandemic in a safe manner was fulfilled and this served as a template for future conferences to emulate (Figure 5, 6 and 7).

Figure 5: Team VAMA led by Mr. Vikram Patwardhan and ably supported by Mr. Vaibhav Pisal, Mr. Pramesh, and others did a stellar job in making it happen.

Figure 6: The ever-supportive BOS Executive council- (from L to R)- Dr. Mandar Agashe, Dr. Satish Mutha, Dr. Sangeet Gawhale, Dr. SS Mohanty, Dr. Swapnil Keny, Dr. Harshad Argekar, and Dr. Ashish Phadnis (Missing in picture: Dr. Sunil Shahane, Dr. Gautam Zaveri, Dr. Ashok Shyam, Dr. Abhijit Kale and Dr. Vishal Kundnani)

Figure 7: ….. And we did it…. The look of relief on our faces at the end of Western India Regional Orthopedic Conference 2020 Unlocked…….The team signing off…..!!.

On a personal note, for both of us, WIROC 2021 was one of the most challenging yet fulfilling projects of our careers. It demanded everything – vision, stamina, negotiation, humility, and leadership. But the smiles, the gratitude, the shared learning – it made it all worth it.
Looking back, I see not just a conference, but a moment in history. We helped script a new chapter for academic medicine in India, proving that with courage and collaboration, even the impossible can become a reality.

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