Celebrating World Anaesthesia Day and Professor D. S. Motghare Memorial Skit Competition

The Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists (ISA) Nagpur City Branch celebrated World Anaesthesia Day and the Professor D.S. Motghare Memorial Intercollegiate Anaesthesiology Skit Competition on October 16, 2024, at IMA Hall, Nagpur. Chief Guest Dr. Vinky Rughwani highlighted the significance of Ether Day, while ISA-NCB President Dr. Umesh Ramtani introduced the theme “Anaesthesia Care - Expanding Horizons” with a mission to raise public awareness and support mental well-being for medicos. The celebration included the release of eSense, ISA’s e-newsletter, and a series of informative videos showcasing the diverse roles of anaesthesiologists. Five medical colleges participated in the skit competition, with IGMC emerging as the winner. The event also featured public awareness initiatives, including multilingual Safe Hands charts to promote knowledge about anaesthesia care. With almost 200 attendees, the gathering proved to be a significant event, bringing together the anaesthesiology community and their families for an evening of education, recognition, and camaraderie.

On October 16, 2024, the Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists (ISA) Nagpur City Branch celebrated World Anaesthesia Day and the Professor D.S. Motghare Memorial Intercollegiate Anaesthesiology Skit Competition at J R Shaw Auditorium, IMA Hall, Nagpur. The event commenced at 6 p.m. with Dr. Vinky Rughwani, Administrator MMC, Mumbai, and Member of the Medical Advisory Council, National Medical Commission, as the Chief Guest.

The celebration began with an introduction to the history of anaesthesia and the significance of Ether Day. Dignitaries including Dr. Rughwani, ISA National Governing Council member Dr. Chandrashekharan Cham, Vice President SAMS Dr. Saurabh Barde, Governing Council members SAMS Dr. Shital Dalal and Dr. Manisha Shembekar, ISA-NCB President Dr. Umesh Ramtani, and Hon. Secretary Dr. Anjali Modak Borkar were welcomed to the dais. The event opened with the lighting of the Samai and a welcome address by Dr. Ramtani, who praised the exemplary work of past President Dr. Gauri Arora and Hon. Secretary Dr. Dilip Wasnik. He introduced the new theme, “Anaesthesia Care – Expanding Horizons,” with a mission of “Safe Hands – Know Your Anaesthesiologist” and a focus on mental well-being for medicos under “Mission M2.”

The dignitaries extended their blessings to the ISA NCB patrons, Dr. Hema Mankeshwar, Dr. Shrirao, and Dr. Ranjana Deshmukh. Members’ children with outstanding achievements were felicitated, and ISA members were recognized by the Chief Guest for their contributions. The latest issue of eSense, ISA’s e-newsletter, was also released, dedicated to the pioneers of anaesthesiology, with articles contributed by Dr. Soma Cham, Dr. Priya Sadawarte, Dr. Ketaki Marodkar, Dr. Madhushree Shah, and Dr. Sheetal Dalal. The edition included members’ creative expressions in poetry, art, and essays.

The winners of the essay competition on “Comprehensive Anaesthesia Care – Expanding Horizons” were announced, with Dr. Shweta Bulle declared the winner and Dr. Dilip Wasnik the runner-up. A series of awareness radio jingles from MY FM 94.3 were played, followed by the launch of Safe Hands multi-lingual charts illustrating various forms of anaesthesia, which will be displayed in public spaces to raise awareness.

In his address, Dr. Rughwani commended Dr. Gauri Arora for her dedication and praised the ISA NCB’s tradition of recognizing members’ families, urging other organizations to adopt similar practices. He highlighted the importance of documentation and legal aspects for anaesthesiologists, sharing insights from his MMC experience. He was felicitated with a shawl, shreephal, memento, and a sapling as a token of appreciation.

The event included a cake-cutting ceremony with ISA NCB patrons and past presidents, and several videos showcasing the roles of anaesthesiologists were released, filmed at Datta Meghe Medical College with ISA members. These videos will be promoted across various platforms to raise public awareness throughout the year.

The much-anticipated skit competition, initiated by Dr. Sandhya Manjrekar in memory of her father, Professor D.S. Motghare, featured five participating colleges:

GMC Nagpur: Dissertation Blues (Struggles in completing a thesis)
IGGMC: Dil Dhadakne Do (Managing intraoperative arrhythmia)
NKPSIMS: Inteha Ho Gayi Intezaar Ki (Multiple surgeons awaiting the anaesthesiologist)
DMMC Nagpur: 102 Not Out (Challenges in geriatric anaesthesia)
JNMC Sawangi: Kuch to Gadbad Hai (Mismanagement due to wrong drug administration)

Judges Dr. Vikram Alsi and Dr. Sarita Joglekar awarded IGMC first place, with GMC as runner-up. Dr. Sonali Bhagat served as Chief Convenor, and Dr. Arihant Jain as Coordinator for the competition, with Dr. Shweta Bulle as the master of ceremony, ensuring a seamless event. The winning teams received certificates and trophies, and the judges and organizers were honored for their efforts.

Nearly 200 members attended with their families, making the celebration memorable. Dr. Anjali Modak, Hon. Secretary, concluded the event with a formal vote of thanks.