The roots of ASAMI India trace back to 1987, when Dr. G. A. Ilizarov, the pioneer of the Ilizarov methodology, visited India and delivered talks on his revolutionary method at K.E.M. Hospital, Mumbai. His presentations left an indelible impression on everyone in attendance.
In 1989, Dr. G. S. Kulkarni attended the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) conference in the United States, where Dr. Dror Paley also gave talks on Ilizarov’s methodology. Dr. Kulkarni’s keen interest in the technique was noticed by Dr. Paley, who invited him to stay at his home for 15 days. Inspired by the beauty and potential of the Ilizarov method, Dr. Kulkarni returned to India and worked with implant companies to develop the Ilizarov implant, an effort that was supported by Pitkar.
At the same time, Dr. Milind Chaudhary and Dr. Presham Shah from Mumbai had already begun incorporating Ilizarov’s methods in India, even before Dr. Kulkarni's involvement.
In 1990, Dr. Kulkarni requested Dr. K.T. Dholakia to host an Ilizarov conference at Bombay Hospital. Dr. Dholakia agreed, and the first Ilizarov Conference was held in Mumbai at the Bombay Hospital Auditorium. Dr. Dror Paley was the chief guest and conducted the meeting over three days, with 350 delegates from across India attending. It was at this conference that ASAMI India was formally established.
At the inaugural meeting, Dr. K.T. Dholakia became the first president of ASAMI India, and Dr. G.S. Kulkarni was appointed the first secretary.
In the following years, Dr. H.R. Jhunjhunwala and Dr. R.A. Agarwal joined ASAMI India. Dr. Agarwal, having visited Kurgon, fostered a strong relationship with the Kurgon group, leading to annual visits where surgeries were conducted, and courses were held in India. The group also attended international ASAMI conferences in large numbers.
In 1998, Dr. H.R. Jhunjhunwala became the president of ASAMI India. He later went on to serve as the President of ASAMI International in 2012, during the ASAMI International Conference in Greece. Dr. Jhunjhunwala’s leadership shone brightly when he successfully organised the ASAMI International Conference in Goa in 2014, widely regarded as one of the best conferences held by the organisation.
Note: This historical account is based on personal recollections and contributions from senior members of ASAMI India. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, readers are encouraged to share additional verified information or corrections with the ASAMI India Secretariat to help preserve our legacy.