The organizing committee of the 43rd IOC, with an intent to match up with the great track record set by earlier Mumbai IOC’s, started planning and visualizing the meeting 3 years ahead of the scheduled time of 43rd IOC. The main focus of the meeting was quality scientific contents with added bonus of trade, entertainment and extramural activities of the members.

All the planning and logistics were on full go when tragedy struck from unexpected quarters, in the form of a wanton ‘terror attack’ to disturb the very fabric of the city. We as the organizers of 43rd IOC were left that uneasy feeling of uncertainty- whether the conference would see the light of the day or would it be tamely cancelled! After 6o hours –when the action was on- the never say die spirit of Mumbai, classically personified by the committee unanimously decided that the ‘show must go on’ and to go ahead with the conduct of 43rd IOC, albeit with some curtailment of fun and frolic taking into consideration, the prevailing mourning and sombre mood.
Our objectives were to communicate effectively and assure that all is well and there is no need to fear to be here with us. Our efforts were focused on three fronts – all the registered members, foreign visitors, trade fraternity and lastly and most importantly our invited and guest faculty. We kept our lines of communications open with frequent updates, to assuage the fear of unknown and unforeseen insecurities. In addition we did touch a defiant cord in all concerned, to defy and show solidarity to be with us and send a fitting answer to these cowards that they cannot deter our freedom! Our task did seem to have the expected effects, and as the cliché goes the ‘rest was history’.
Eleven hundred and fifty delegates turned up-with almost negligible ‘no shows’, all the trade fraternity took their appointed place. Out of the 22 invited faculty 20 showed up from all parts of the world, all the pre and post congress courses ran to its full capacity (Both Dr Profitt’s and Dr Zachrisson’s courses had more than 210 participants – highest ever by any course on our soil). All the orations had more than 1000 people in attendance and scientific contents of the sessions lived up to our theme
‘Raising the Bar’
The trade partners rose to the occasion. The well appointed and air conditioned trade enclosures were busy, bustling and lively with about 65 stalls doing brisk business. The mood at the shopping area was busy but at same time relaxed and informal with lounging areas, coffee counters and internet kiosks giving it an international trade show look. Axis lounge was also used by all delegates to rest in comfort after a tiring day at the meeting.

‘Beyond Orthodontics’ was a section that encouraged the other talents of our members like photography, paintings, posters etc. It did attract a fair participation and the works were professionally mounted and displayed at the famous ‘Round Gallery’ of the Nehru Centre. This show not only elicited visitors from our fraternity but also from general public who spent time watching the works of our orthodontic maestros’!

The flip side of the meeting was the unfortunate cancellation of all the entertainment and the Banquet, which did leave some of the members unhappy. We were constrained to do this considering the mood and mourning prevailing in the city then. We are finding ways and means to make it up to our delegates, god willing we will…..
 
Thanking you all earnestly for your role in the successes of 43rd IOC,

Dr. Mani K. Prakash

Chairman, 43rd IOC