The National Conference of Indian IPPNW

The national conference themed “Prevention of nuclear war and its effects – role of medical fraternity” was jointly organized by IIPDEP and IPPNW-Central India at Nagpur, India on 23rd - 24th July 2005. The aim was to spread awareness of IPPNW activities in the medical fraternity and discuss various issues of IPPNW and what role medical doctors and students can play in all these activities. Many Professors from different medical colleges from all over India attended the conference. Admiral Ramdas, Chief of Indian Navy (Retd) and the President of India Pakistan Peoples’ Forum were keynote speaker.

Admiral Ramdas said why the person like me serving Indian navy for 44 years and 9 months is propagating Nuclear disarmament? India Pakistan fought 3 wars but we could not solve out our problem. By possessing nuclear weapons we could not solve our problem. The vehicle of change is ultimately with people. Nuclear wars may start due to misunderstanding between India and Pakistan. It takes only 8 to 10 minutes for missile to reach its targets in India and Pakistan and it has only 3 minutes to decide the missile is carrying nuclear ear heads or conventional weapons. Nuclear weapons are not military weapons but are political weapons. Nuclear weapons are economical burden; economical disaster; completely inefficient and ethically and morally it is not acceptable.

He praised the efforts of Dr. Nalini Kurvey who is working to spread the message of IPPNW in India and urged the medical fraternity to join IPPNW. Admiral Ramdas concluded his speech quoting Mahatma Gandhi After bombing of Hiroshima Gandhi said, “No weapons can be destroyed by counter weapons”.

Mr. Saini, Director of Civil Defense was the chief guest, who spoke on the occasion about civil defense in case of nuclear war. Dr Krishna Kamble deliberating on effects of nuclear war.

During the conference, the students organized elocution contest for which students from different medical colleges in the region as well as students from engineering colleges and school students were invited. Next activity was about the slogan competition and some of which were very catchy.

Ujjwal Ramtekkar (National student representative) talked about various students activities throughout world and their importance in detail. Abhijit Pakhare commented on Bombing Bombay. Bombay being known to every Indian, it creates impact on the listeners.

Professors, Dr. Narlawar, Dr. Jalgaonkar and Dr. Mrs.Thakre from medical colleges were the judges and carry the program very well, which was received with great enthusiasm by all students.

Manish Pande and Rahul Arora, two medical students had been to Germany in this year’s students exchange program, narrated their experiences, they were all praise for  IPPNW Germany doctors and students who are working for local as well as global causes.

Prizes were distributed to the first three students from elocution and slogan contest. One landmine victim was specially called, who narrated the incidence and pathetic stories of the victims and how we built the raising the voices campaign in India.

The conference was concluded by passing resolution. Dr Nalini Kurvey asked the participants to work for IPPNW’s Programs in their region. She insisted about the program on 6th to 9th August during Hiroshima, Nagasaki days to be arranged in medical colleges. She gave the guide lines about the medical college program. After thanks giving by Dr Kurvey with her organizing committee members assured the participants about the help in arranging the programs for Prevention of nuclear war and to make the medical fraternity aware of hazardous effects of nuclear weapons.