A technological pilgrimage

The 59th IPC promises to add yet another dimension to the pilgrim city of Varanasi

Varanasi has always lived with two avatars—a centre of religious fervour and a seat of learning since ancient times. Pilgrims from across the country and the world, come for a purifying dip in the holy Ganges, while scholars make a beeline for universities like the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) for intellectual guidance. As the venue of the 59th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress (IPC), Varanasi gears up for the twentieth century version of information sharing—a 'Techno mela', encompassing conferences, exhibitions and much more.

Varanasi has a rich educational heritage and it is one of the rare places for oriental learning with three world class public universities—BHU, along with Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth and Sampurnanand Sanskrit University. BHU is among the top three largest residential universities in the world, having more than 128 independent teaching departments. BHU is the first Indian institution that started pharmacy education, making it the perfect venue for the 59th IPC, as this year marks the 75th anniversary of BHU's pharmacy college and of pharmacy education in India.

While the 58th IPC at Mumbai focused on the three Rs—resource, responsibility and role; this year's IPC will target three the Ps—patient, product and practice. Varanasi will see a conclave of CEOs, industry stalwarts and scientists from different countries. IPC's main sponsor is the Indian Pharmaceutical Congress Association (IPCA). The five constituents of IPCA are Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), Indian Pharmacy Graduates Association (IPGA), Indian Hospital Pharmacist's Association (IHPA), Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India (APTI) and All India Drugs Control Officers Confederation (AIDCOC).