The Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM), located on Old Airport Road in Bengaluru, hosted the 63rd Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Aerospace Medicine (ISAM) from December 5 to 7, 2024. Themed "Collaborate for Research," the occasion emphasized the significance of collective efforts in advancing the field of aerospace medicine while staying rooted in its foundational principles.
Air Marshal SP Dharkar, Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS), inaugurated the conference in the presence of prominent military and civilian dignitaries. In his speech, Air Marshal Dharkar highlighted the role of cooperation in achieving self-reliance (Atmanirbharta) in India's defense forces. He also acknowledged young academic achievers in aerospace medicine for their contributions to the field.
Air Marshal Rajesh Vaidya, Director General of Medical Services (Air), gave the presidential address, highlighting the Indian Air Force’s joint achievements in medical services.
The highlight of the forum was the Air Marshal Subroto Mukherjee Memorial Oration, given by Dr. VR Lalithambika, a Distinguished Scientist and Professor of Practice at IIT Madras. Speaking on "The Next Giant Leap: My Reflections on India's Human Space Flight Programme," Dr. Lalithambika delivered a profound dive into the country’s advancements in human space exploration. Her oration follows a legacy of prominent speakers, including Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and Wg Cdr Rakesh Sharma (Retd).
Another important feature was the Air Vice Marshal MM Srinagesh Memorial Oration, given by Wg Cdr Karthik Kalyanram (Retd) from the Rishi Valley Rural Health Centre. Titled "Effective Strategies for Low Resource Settings: Insights Gained from My IAF Journey," his speech highlighted the application of innovative healthcare methods derived from his Air Force experience to rural settings.
The forum also featured the Jemi Harmusji Framji Manekshaw Panel, with guest lectures by renowned experts, including Dr. SL Vaya of SASTRA University and Dr. Hanumantray Baluragi, Director of ISRO's Directorate of Human Space Programme (DHSP).
Participants engaged in scientific discussions covering a range of topics such as aviation medicine, space physiology, and high-altitude physiology. These deliberations provided useful insights into operational challenges and advancements in aerospace medicine.
The occasion celebrated the interdisciplinary nature of aerospace medicine, emphasizing IAM’s innovative contributions to the field. With its focus on research cooperation, the forum reinforced India’s promise to advance both aviation and space medicine.
This year’s ISAM conference showed how shared learning and expertise can help tackle the unique challenges of aerospace environments, further positioning India as a leader in the field. (PR)