How It All Began
The UP Chapter of the Association of Surgeons of India originated from a surplus of funds following the 32nd Annual Conference of ASI, held at the Department of Surgery, G.S.V.M. Medical College, Kanpur. After all donations and conference expenses were accounted for, approximately Rs. 60,000 remained — a considerable sum at the time.
The organisers deliberated for nearly two years on the best way to utilise these surplus funds for the benefit of the surgical community in Uttar Pradesh. It was out of this deliberation that the idea of forming a dedicated state chapter was born.
The Founding Initiative
Dr. Tara Chandra proposed establishing the first ASI chapter in Uttar Pradesh — an idea that immediately garnered widespread support among the state's surgical community. She issued a state-wide appeal, inviting surgeons from across UP to convene at Medical College, Kanpur.
Key Milestones
November 15, 1975
Founding Conference — Kanpur
The founding conference was held at Medical College, Kanpur, attended by approximately 100 surgeons representing medical colleges, PMS and the private sector across Uttar Pradesh.
November 15–16, 1975
Inaugural Conference Leadership
Chairman
Dr. H.C. Verma
Principal, Medical College Kanpur
Inaugurator
Dr. B.N. Sinha
President, Medical Council of India
1st President
Dr. S.C. Misra
FRCS, Senior-most Surgeon in UP
November 16, 1975
Constitution Passed
The UPASI Constitution was discussed, finalised and passed on the second day of the founding conference. An Executive Committee was elected during the same session, giving the chapter its first formal governance structure.
December 1975 — Ahmedabad
Proposal Presented to ASI Governing Council
The proposal for chapter recognition was presented to the ASI Governing Council in December 1975 at Ahmedabad. A sub-committee was formed to review the proposal, comprising:
December 29, 1975
Official Recognition Granted
The ASI General Body officially approved the establishment of the UP Chapter, setting a precedent that states could form chapters independently without financial commitments from the parent organisation. This landmark decision shaped the structure of all future ASI state chapters.
1985 — Structural Evolution
Compulsory Chapters Nationwide
The ASI Governing Council mandated compulsory chapters nationwide, with automatic membership for all ASI members in their respective states. Key structural changes included:
- Contribution system of Rs. 24 per member for chapter operations
- Governing Council restructured to include state representatives
- Representation ratio: one member per 150 chapter members
Dr. H.S. Asopa was elected as the first UP Chapter representative to the ASI Governing Council.
"The Association of Surgeons of India was established in 1938 to realize a long-standing wish among Indian surgeons to get together for the purpose of sharing each other's experiences and enhancing their surgical skills."
Key Facts
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Founded
November 15, 1975
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Founding City
Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
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Proposed by
Dr. Tara Chandra
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First President
Dr. S.C. Misra (FRCS)
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Host Institution
G.S.V.M. Medical College, Kanpur
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Founding Attendance
~100 Surgeons
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ASI Recognition
December 29, 1975
Founding Social Events
- Fellowship lunch hosted by Dr. Brijendra Swarup
- Fellowship dinner at the residence of Dr. T.P. Bannerji
UPASI Today
From 100 founding surgeons in 1975, UPASI has grown to over 2000 active members across 10 city chapters spanning Uttar Pradesh.
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