31/03/2021

Click here for Secretary’s Final Report 2020-21

Dear esteemed members of Poona Ophthalmological Society

It gives us great pleasure writing to you on the last day of our tenure.

The whole year has been a very challenging one. We could do it successfully with your encouragement, co operation and support. We are grateful to you for the same. We are happy that in spite of Covid Pandemic, lock down and restrictions we kept the POS active with no. of activities throughout the year.

We did more than 40 webinars which included all sub-specialties.  There were special webinars and talks  for Covid care, informing government guidelines and AIOS guidelines  to members  from time to time, protective measures in OPD and OT and about Covid vaccines.

We did 1st Virtual Annual Conference of POS; “POS SPECTRUM 2020-21”  on 20th and 21st March 2021.

This  also included  Skill Transfer  Course on a Virtual platform. We wish to thank the Scientific committee and Conference committee 2020-21 for an excellent scientific programme. Special thanks for the International Webinar session which included Prof. Minas (Australia), Dr. Burden (Firmer President of Royal College, UK), Prof Chee (Singapore), Dr. Neil Bressler (USA), Dr. Archana Kulkarni (UK).  MMC has granted 4 points to registered delegates who attended on both days.

We did many firsts in this year….all on Virtual platforms including National level competitions for Innovation Videos and Surgical Videos, Eye donation drives at National ( even International participation) level, Many community awareness programs by MC members, POS PG Education series ( PPEs) which was made open to all PGs from all over India. POS Deepstambh was a unique series of unfolding inspirational life stories of Stalwarts in Ophthalmology. We interviewed them live along with their family members. Recognition of our members who practice in rural parts of Pune was another very inspirational webinar.

‘POS Surginar 2020’  was one of its kind of one day surgical workshop where more than 50 different innovative eye surgeries from different sub-specialities were shown throughout the day (8 am to 5.30pm on 20th December 2020) on  a  Virtual platform. All registered delegates who attended got 2 MMC points.

We organized Innovative Musical programme for Eye Donation drive  which was appreciated  by AIOS. Eye Bank Association of India joined hands with POS for this activity. This was a great honour for POS. AIOS also appreciated our World sight day programme where we unfolded successful life stories of blinds …”Vision beyond Sight..” Dr. Namrata Sharma, secretary AIOS joined and appreciated. We also did a special programme with MOS on Low Vision Aids.

In spite of Covid pandemic and Lock down situation we successfully published 3 issues of e POSTER, in house publication of POS. These are excellent issues with scientific articles by members and guest faculty. The three issues   were theme based. First one  about Covid, second one about  Recent advances in Ophthalmology  and the third one about Cataract and is also the souvenir of POS SPECTRUM 2020-21

We had Yoga session on virtual platform and also organized programs like मन‌ करा रे प्रसन्न to keep all members mentally  positive especially during this depressive Covid times. Since digital work has increased for everyone, we organized special webinars for  Cyber crime awareness  and protection of eyes of children due to  increase in screen time due to online schools.

When  Covid cases reduced we also organized POS Raireshwar Trek and POS Cricket Dhamaka.

To give platform to members’ extra curricular talents   2 big musical programs, cultural evening , painting exhibition, rangoli competition and master chef competition were held…everything on a virtual platform. ‘Keeping Peace :  Mind and Body’ was a daily blog  to present members’ talents and achievements. For the first time we included Women in Ophthalmology session in annual conference.

Looking at POS’s activities during Lock down, POS was appreciated at International level . Dr. Geetanjali Sharma, President was invited to present work of POS at  ICO’s World Ophthalmology  leaders’ meet. She was also felicitated at Women achievers’ meet by ISMSICS and was invited faculty at MOS annual conference for LDP session. ( Leadership Development Program) to present POS activities.

During pandemic situation we realized that POS constitution needed amendments . A constitution committee under chairmanship of Dr. S.B. Kelkar sir  along with legal advisor Dr. Jayant Navarange sir and committee members Dr. Deodhar madam, Dr. Bijlani, Dr. Marathe and Dr. Sanjay Patil did this work and   the amended POS constitution was approved in Special GBM.

We have also done membership updation work and membership cards with permanent POS membership no. are sent to members. This year we also had a special theme song for POS 2020-21.

  Yearly awards of POS were presented during annual conference:

POS life time achievement award -Dr. Vaijayanti Deodhar

POS Late Dr. Asha Kelkar award – Dr. Sanjay Shah

POS Dr. Madhusudan Jhamwar Netraseva Award – Dr. Sachin Kabra

POS Mrs. Shubhada Narayan Kulkarni Memorial Award for Annual Quiz winners ( Spectrum 2019) to AFMC team

Major Sumedha Vats

SLC Chaitanya

POS Dr. Vijay Jathar award for best Free paper – Dr. Harshita Sharma

We had some sad moments during this year. We lost 2 past presidents due to Covid – Dr. Nandkumar Shah and Dr. S.G.Ranade. We also lost our senior member and teacher Dr. Paras Shah. We express our condolences. May their souls rest in peace

We had hoped for  the Covid situation to improve by the end of our tenure. Unfortunately we are at risk of facing  a second wave. Let’s hope it comes under control soon.

We thank all patrons, teachers, seniors, advisory committee, scientific committee, co opted members, Conference committee, Constitution Committee and all MC members for their guidance and help. We wish  the incoming President Dr. Tekawade and his team a successful tenure.

We wish all members a happy and healthy life. We request all  to stay safe. Please take care of yourself in OPD and OT.  Let’s pray God for well being of everyone

“सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामया,
सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु मा कश्चिद् दु:ख भाग् भवेत्||
ॐ शांतिः शांतिः शांतिः”

( उपनिषद)

Sincerely Yours

Dr. Geetanjali Sharma – President POS 2020-21

Dr. Mukesh Paryani – Hon. Secretary POS 2020-21

Dr. Sachin Kabra – Hon. Treasurer POS 2020-21

Team POS 2020-21