The RSSDI is growing in strength from year to year and it is my privilege to head such a prestigious organization for the second consecutive term.  We have undertaken some new initiatives at RSSDI to improve the diabetes care and research in India such as the Certificate course in diabetes. The RSSDI certificate course in Diabetes will constitute a length of 2 years for MBBS graduates and 1 year for candidates who have completed MD in medicine. We have found that many institutions and diabetes hospitals have begun to show a keen interest in this, and in turn, find this very encouraging. The curriculum has been finalized and the inspection of institutions is nearing completion. Shortly the RSSDI certificate course in diabetes will start. Another new initiative we have been working on is the CME and workshops for RSSDI members of the state chapters. In this regard the Delhi RSSDI, recently conducted a workshop on “How to write a scientific communication” with the CME having a good turn out and being well received by the participants. Similarly, Kolkata RSSDI is planning a workshop on Research methodologies in Diabetes. Optimistic of these workshops, I'm sure they will go a long way in urging the young scientists to take up research and publish papers in the field of diabetes. We have decided to print membership certificates for all RSSDI members and this will be posted to all of you, shortly. I am sure that all the state chapters of RSSDI will take active roles in conducting such workshops & CMEs to sensitize the younger scientists and diabetologists to take up research in diabetes. 

Dr K M Prasanna Kumar
President

• DIACON HOSPITAL, BANGALORE
• Course Director: Dr. Arvind Sosal
• NORTH DELHI DIABETES CENTRE , DELHI
• Course Director: Dr. Rajiv Chawla

• Delhi Chapter
  • Regular bimonthly CMEs with one recent update review and one research data presentation from different institutions of Delhi
    • Feb 2009:- ADA 2009 Clinical Practice Guidelines were discussed along with their practical implications
    • April 2009:- Two guest Faculties namely Dr. Prasanna Kumar RSSDI President & Dr. Shashank Joshi Vice President RSSDI spoke on ‘Diabetes in Elderly' and ‘Future directions in the management of diabetes' respectively.
    • June 2009 :- Relavence of Hs CRP in clinical practice was discussed
  • Workshop on Scientific Communication conducted on 6 th April 2009
    • This was organized by RSSDI, Delhi chapter in association with University College of Medical Sciences and was a day long workshop on Research methodologies comprising sessions on how to plan research, improve publications & Paper Writing .It was attended by 125 delegates including P.Gs & Residents from all the the teaching Hospitals in Delhi. It was very widely appreciated.
  • Forthcoming CMEs
    • RSSDI Delhi has planned 4 CMEs in NCR region this yr, Ist being on 5 th July at Faridabad & 2nd on 26 th July at Gurgaon. Next 2 CMEs are planned in Karnal & Rohtak in the month of Aug.
  •  5 th Annual Conference of RSSDI Delhi Chapter will be held on 20 th Sep, 2009 at Hotel Hyatt regency .
•   Karnataka Chapter
  • CME on Type II DM (complete discussion) and Gestational Diabetes, at Kollegal in Feb 2009
  • CME on Current Therapies at Devanahalli (Feb 2009)
  • CME on Current Therapies at Bagalkot (Mar 2009)
  • CME in Diabetology at Bangalore (April 2009)
•   Kerala Chapter
  •   Elections held at Thrissur in March 2009
• Prof. Abdul Majeed (President),
• Dr. Jabbar Puthiyaveetil (Secretary) and
• Dr. Tom Babu (Treasurer)
• Next meeting/CME is planned on 12th July at Kottayam
• Chandigarh Chapter
  • Planning a CME in September 2009