(As narrated by Late Professor Emeritus Dr. R. K. Mishra to Dr. Ravin N. Das on May 28, 2004, additional inputs from Dr. S. C. Batalia and Dr. G. D. Hoonka)

The early days…

The Divisional Societies of Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Raipur and Rewa were the single handed result of our very own Dear Professor Emeritus Dr. R. K. Mishra’s efforts in fraternization with Dr. Santok Singh (Bhopal), Dr. M. L. Agarwal (Gwalior), Dr. M. L. Nahata (Indore), Dr. I. M. Shukla (Raipur) and Dr. Shrivastava (Rewa).

Dr. R. K. Mishra, at an A.I.O.S conference, was surprised to note that little or no representation could be seen at the National level from our State of Madhya Pradesh. It was from this observation that he learnt that it was absolutely necessary to form these Divisional Societies.

Taking this into consideration, along with the other four Divisional Societies was born the Jabalpur Divisional Ophthalmologial Society. That was the year 1969. Dr. R. K. Mishra, Dr. S. C. Batalia and Dr. G. D. Hoonka were the three members who formed the Jabalpur Divisional Ophthalmic Society. The first meeting of the JDOS was held at Dr. S. C. Batalia’s residence.

The first meeting of the MP State Ophthalmic Society was held at Dr. S. C. Batalia’s residence along with a representative from Bhopal.

Dr. S. C. Batalia was the first General Secretary,
followed by Dr. P. Bhura and Dr. G. D. Hoonka.