Dear Colleague,

We are in the era of the "Bone & Joint Decade (BJD) 2000-2010"- a movement meant to create awareness and knowledge about the musculoskeletal diseases that afflict millions of people, causing immense pain and disability. The central issue is to improve quality of life but the real challenge lies in empowering our patients so as to actively participate in their own management. But nothing will move unless we the medical faculty equip ourselves with sufficient knowledge and skills to bring about the much needed change in living longer. BJD is an umbrella organization for people to work cohesively in improving the 'Bone and Joint Health'. It is strongly supported by UN & WHO, besides more than 65 countries.

BJD India National Action Network (NAN) has been active from Day 1. We request you to visit the website (www.bjdindia.org) to learn more about its activities and achievements. Center for Rheumatic Diseases (CRD), Pune is organizing the annual meet of the Indian Rheumatology Association (IRA) in Pune from 27-29 Nov 08. This will be followed by a BJD India convention on 29-30 Nov 08 to focus on RA and Osteoporosis. The World BJD Network Meeting is also being held in Pune from 28th November to 1st December in parallel to the IRA-BJD Convention. It is a great honor and opportunity for India to host such a prestigious international meet. Over 120 international experts from 50 plus countries are likely to interact, participate and lecture in these meetings. You are welcome to register on our conference website.

In response to a long standing need, CRD Pune and BJD India jointly has organized a special ONE DAY CME program on 'ARTHRITIS IN RURAL PRACTISE' on 28 Nov 08 in village Bhigwan (Dist. Pune). A renowned national and international faculty will address and update the important subjects. The focus will be on practical and socioeconomical feasible issues. The program will benefit general practitioners, physicians and orthopedic surgeons,

Why Bhigwan? We initiated the first WHO-ILAR COPCORD (Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases) for India in village Bhigwan in 1996 which continues till date benefiting over 1 lac+ population from over 175 surrounding villages and towns. The Bhigwan model has been replicated all over the World, and the data accepted by WHO to project South East Asia. In fact, over 17 sites (some sponsored by ICMR) in India are doing similar population surveys using the Bhigwan model. It is appropriate to use the Bhigwan Knowledge Platform on Arthritis to begin this landmark activity for India.

I am also pleased to inform you that over 500 rheumatologists and 80 international delegates will be present in village Bhigwan on 28 Nov 08 to participate in other parallel academic and World patient advocacy sessions

We invite you to Bhigwan. Seats are limited and will be allotted on first come first serve basis. The registration is free but you must complete the attached Registration Form to avail this opportunity.

I wait to welcome you.

DR. A. CHOPRA Organizing Secretary (Center for Rheumatic Diseases, Pune)

Dr K Mahendranath Chairman, IRACON 2008