The 17th Annual Conference of National Academy of Burns-India and 7th Asia Pacific Burns Congress were jointly held at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi from 18th- 20th January 2009. The Conferences focused on the theme of "Challenges in Burn Care". The faculty comprised of the who's who in Burns from all over the globe, especially notables being Dr.Ronald Tompkins, President ISBI, David Herndon, David Mackie, Dong-Chul Kim, David Greenhalgh, Charles Mock, Fiona Proctor, Heinz Rode, Lior Rosenberg, Mike Peck, Nelson Piccolo, Peter Maitz, , Welsely Bodha, Andrew Burd, Anthony T.Han, Barbara Latenser etc. The National faculty included Dr.C.P.Sawhney, Dr.Mathangi Ramakrishnan, Dr.P.K. Bilwani, Dr.S.P. Bajaj, Dr.Karoon Agarwal, Dr.Ramesh Sharma, Dr.Madhuri Gore, Dr.R.Bharat & Dr.Mary Babu.

The scientific deliberations by this galaxy of stalwarts coupled with active audience participation made the sessions very lively & informative. The program was meticulously crafted & included topics ranging from the basics, recent advances & the research in burns management. A spectacular opening ceremony was held at Stein auditorium on 18th Jan 09. On this occasion, Padamshri Dr.J.L.Gupta-Patron NABI, said, "Providing care to the burn victims is not an occupation but a preoccupation, not a profession but an obsession, not a means of livelihood but a life of commitment." Dr.Sheila Rohatgi-President NABI greeted the faculty & the delegates and expressed her thanks to Dr.Rajeev Ahuja for organizing such a huge scientific mega-event to perfection. Dr.Ahuja, President-7th APBC conveyed thanks to all the invited Faculty members & the delegates alike for attending the meeting in large numbers. He also thanked ISBI for their generous participation.

The meetings were attended by nearly 500 delegates from 28 countries. The twin meetings thus became a sort of International Burns extravaganza and all the delegates maximally utilized the opportunity to personally interact, learn & exchange knowledge with the invited speakers. The trade exhibition was very informative & well attended. The Asia Pacific Burns Society was formed. Dr. Rajeev B. Ahuja was unanimously elected as the Founder President of the Society. Many delegates filled the membership forms of the Society on the spot & became the founder members of the Society. All the delegates were treated to a memorable meeting which I am sure shall be remembered for a long time as a landmark in the history of NABICON's.