Dear members of the IOS.

First of all, I would like to thank all of you for giving me your overwhelming support in selecting me as your Secretary. I am passionate about my profession and I love my society.   These are the driving forces that will motivate me and my team of young EC members to work with total commitment towards a better IOS, where every member feels welcome and proud to be a member of this society.
The main focus of my team would be, first to sort out issues and unite all the members of the society. IOS is a young and growing society and we, its members, have to live together for many more years. Being a member of this society carries a moral obligation that we do not do things that will harm this society and its members or show it in bad light.
A lot of scientific activities will be planned and executed during my tenure. More importance and opportunities will be given to speakers of Indian origin.   There are so many budding speakers in our own country, who need better exposure and more encouragement. The IOS create more opportunities to showcase such speakers.
Another immediate task in my hands is the revival of the JIOS.  We have a dynamic editor who has promised to set things right and get the journal indexed as soon as possible. I will be making sure that once the initial transfer processes are over this journal will become the pride of our society.  Every member can help us by sending high quality articles for publication to fulfill the society's goals of education and research.
The IOS Times is the official news letter of the IOS which serves as a mouthpiece to all members.  It has been doing an excellent job in the past two years.  I have taken into consideration various views and concerns expressed by various members on this issue and steps are taken to address them.  Guidelines are made to make it more efficient and more editors with regional representation will be put in place.  The IOS times is your voice. Please make use of it to express your views.
I believe that all members of the IOS are equal, whether you are from the north, south, east, west, or central zone. Every member is very important for the proper functioning of the IOS. Every voice will be heard and every concern will be looked into. However, for that to happen, members with genuine interest in the well being of the society should come forward to discuss issues with the head office. Throwing stones at a glass house does not do any good to it. Every member who sincerely feels that this is his society should stop doing things that will harm the society and damage the image of the society in the eyes of the public. Some of the damage already caused will take some time to repair, but let’s not damage it further in the future. I request all members who care for the society, to stop sending common e mails on sensitive issues and instead discuss the issues with the head office directly. Solutions are easier that way.
The past was a learning experience. Let’s pick up the good from and forget the bad experiences of the past.  It’s time to look ahead and make plans for the future. It’s time we stop criticizing each other and start being constructive.  This society was started to promote a sense of brotherhood and friendship among orthodontists in this country. Let’s stick to these principles and keep it that way in the future.  I urge each member to actively participate in our collaborative effort to make IOS one of the most prestigious societies in dentistry.

Dr. A. V. Arun

Honorary Secretary, IOS.