The inaugural launch of BJD-INDIA and the National Action Network (NAN) committee was held at Pune on 28 Nov 2000.

Dr. Arvind Chopra, organizing secretary for the meet, welcomed the gathering. About 200 people, including eminent doctors and medical faculty from specialties concerned with musculoskeletal disorders and some distinguished senior society member attended the meet. Invitees included Prof Jan Dequekar (President, International league of Associations for Rheumatology/ILAR), Prof. S. S Babhulkar (President, Indian Orthopedic Association), Lt Gen M Tutakne (Commandant, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune), Prof Labshetwar (Dean, BJ Medical College and Sassoon Hospital, Pune), Dr KH Sancheti (Professor-Director, Sancheti Institute for Orthopedic and Rehabilitation), Brig Ashok kumar (Commandant, Artificial Limb Center, Pune), Dr S Hardikar (Professor Orthopedic), Dr Cyrus Poonawalla (President and CEO, Serum Institute of India), Mr PC Nahar (Former CEO Bajaj Auto and Chairman, MAI), and members of Mission Arthritis India (MAI, a patient support group), executive members of the regional chapter of Indian Medical Association. Members representing regional and national newsmedia were present in large numbers.

Professor Jan Dequekar, President, ILAR, delivered the inaugural speech on the aims and the objectives of BJD and projected some of the important statistics on the diseases being targeted. Prof Dequekar conveyed the greetings and whole hearted support of the International Steering Committee of the BJD on the occasion.

Professor T.K. Shanmugasundaram emphasised the significance of BJD and its relevance. He gave short slide talk on the spinal disorders and spinal injuries. The data of the prevalance of various musculoskeletal disorders is not available at present in India and the collection of such data must be given priority in our endeavours. He narrated his efforts to get the Govt. of India endorse the BJD and was hopeful of an early decision.

Professor Dinesh Mohan emphasized the importance of prevention of road accidents by proper planning of roads and highways, maintenance of vehicles, education of road users.

Dr. Arvind Chopra presented a slide talk on the prevalance of rheumatological diseases at village Bhigwan, near Pune, where he is Incharge of an ongoing WHO COPCORD (Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases) project since 1996.He also made projections on the likely burden of rheumatic diseases in India.

Dr. Ajit Damle, an orthopedic surgeon, presented a slide talk on Osteoporosis, its prevention and treatment.

Mr PC Nahar, Chairman, MAI and the chief guest of the meeting, inaugurated BJD-INDIA by lighting of a lamp, and further delivered a talk on the ‘patient’s perspective of rheumatic musculo-skeletal disorders’. Dr Kalindi Phadke, a senior medical research scientist and herself a patient of severe arthritis, and members of NAN India also participated in the inauguration progam.

Mr.Sainath Iyer, President, Zydus Cadila (a large national pharma group of industries) presented an elegant momento to Professor Jan Dequekar. Zydus Cadila also became the first pharma group to declare unconditional support to BJD India, and were the co-sponsors of the function.

Dr Arvind Chopra read out the congratulatory messages which included those from Mr Vilas Rao Deshmukh (Chief Minister, State of Maharashtara), Prof Lidgren (Chairman, ISC, BJD), Chairman, BJD-NAN, USA. A vote of thanks was proposed.

The function ended with a delightful fellowship and dinner.

Two sessions of Business meetings of BJD-INDIA: NAN were also held along with the inuguration function. Professor T.K. Shanmugasundaram chaired the meeting. Professor Dinesh Mohan (Co-ordinator) and Dr. Arvind Chopra (Secretary) were also present.