Close to 150 alumni of the renowned BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad (BJMCA), got together recently to enjoy 3 days of catching up, enjoying the company of old friends, and making new ones, in Charlottesville, North Carolina,.
The main organizer of the Convention Dr. Malti Mehta, a psychiatrist in Charlottesville, told Desi Talk, it was a joyful gathering of physicians from all over the US, after close to 20 years.
Dr. Mehta told News India Times “We sent postcards and emails to some 1,200 people,” from the old list of the convention held in Las Vegas two decades ago. Those who responded were the ones who attended.
“As an alumnus, a founding member, and 2nd President of BJMCAA-USA, I am very proud to see the convention got a good response,” Padma Shri recipient Dr. Sudhir Parikh, chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media, told News India Times.
“Over the last 30 years, at BJ Medical, we computerized the cancer hospital, digitalized the library, provided scholarships to students, and during Covid, we provided Oxygen Plants to BJ as well as the cardiac hospital in Cambay. Our goal is to help our alma Mater improve and help those students for residency in US,” said Dr. Parikh.
Those who made it to the Convention, got a quality experience with a less crowded event where it was easier to connect with friends, Dr. Mehta said.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony inaugurated the Convention that was held from September 26-28. Among those present for the inaugural were Superintendent Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad Dr. Rakesh Joshi, and “Benshree” Vijuben Rajani, an international religious scholar and Bhagwat kaathakar. The Civil Hospital is the largest in the world, Dr. Mehta noted, with 7,400 beds.
“It was a very successful convention. We had a smaller crowd but a full schedule,” she said.
Certified Continuing Medical Education on two days, yoga sessions every morning, entertainment on all three days with Bollywood and traditional dances, a Women’s Forum, a Political Forum, Golf outing and tournament, to mention a few activities.
People came from all over the US for the Convention, Dr. Mehta said. There were 3 hours of CME seminars on the first two days. And the entertainers and performers on the three days included Ashwini Gogate, Meenal Chakrado, Kathak dances, Dr. Samir Shah & Group; Music program by Raj and Smruti Pandya Group “Sa-Re” for two evenings.
The registrants received gift bags that contained items like Gujarati bandhni saree, jewelry, bangles, bindis, hair flower pin, thank you cards, T-shirts with the BJMCAA logo. Sweets and snacks. Plus, attendees got free transport to the airport, free parking and free breakfast. “We tried to accommodate as best we can. I have been to 100s of meetings, never gotten this much in my life of 51 years in USA,” Dr. Mehta said.
The next step for the alumni association is to refresh the list of members and bring out a new directory, and that the organization was in the process of doing that, Dr. Mehta said.
The BJ Medical School, Ahmedabad, is the largest medical school in Gujarat, she noted.
