The years between 1996 and 2005 may well be remembered as the decade of the meteoric rise of the Bombay Orthopaedic Society. In an era when Indian orthopaedics itself was undergoing rapid transformation, the BOS emerged as a spirited, progressive force; propelled, interestingly, by two surgeons who shared not only a vision but also a name. It was a decade shaped, in no small measure, by two “Rams.”

By the mid-1990s, WIROC had firmly established itself as a quintessential “Bombay event”; a meeting known for its intellectual depth and its vibrant, almost familial, academic atmosphere. The scientific calibre of the conference was unassailable, yet one persistent challenge lingered: time management. Tradition dictated that when a senior member rose to speak, the courtesy of uninterrupted time was accorded almost as a matter of ritual. Noble in spirit, this practice often resulted in extended sessions and cascading delays, testing the patience of delegates and organisers alike.

The paradigm began to shift in 1997, when a young, energetic Dr. Ram Chaddha and the equally enthusiastic Dr. Sudhir Warrier assumed leadership of WIROC. Armed with newfound familiarity with computers and a modern understanding of academic discipline, the duo chose a bold path; one that many had considered unthinkable, even sacrilegious. They instituted a system in which presentations exceeding their allotted time were cut off, and screens were automatically blanked out.

The first instances of this generated palpable shock in the audience. Some senior colleagues felt affronted; others were simply bewildered by the abruptness of this departure from long-held norms. Yet, in the finest tradition of the BOS, the fraternity absorbed this change with grace. What began as controversy soon came to be celebrated as a progressive step toward professionalism, setting a standard that would later become the norm across orthopaedic meetings in India.

As Mumbai’s orthopaedic community expanded and its aspirations grew, the Executive Council of the BOS resolved to bid once again for IOACON. Under the sagacious leadership of Prof. K. H. Sancheti and the spirited pragmatism of Dr. Ram Prabhoo, the Society secured and organised IOACON 2005; a meeting that would go down as one of the most memorable undertakings in its history.

The chosen venue; the Renaissance Hotel at Powai, posed a unique logistical dilemma. IOACON’s vast attendance meant that a single location could not contain its scientific and social footprint. Two adjacent venues, separated by nearly 200 metres and divided by a major municipal water pipeline, had to be used. The prospect of navigating Mumbai’s unpredictable traffic between sessions raised genuine concerns.

It was here that Dr. Ram Prabhoo achieved what many considered impossible. With astonishing ingenuity, he conceived and executed a temporary yet remarkably sturdy bridge connecting the two venues; a structure that would later earn the affectionate nickname “Ram Setu”. For six full days, this improvised marvel bore the weight of thousands of footsteps, becoming both a functional lifeline and a symbol of BOS innovation.

IOACON 2005 itself was a landmark. It married academic rigour with the cultural soul of Mumbai, introducing; for the first time in IOA history with a touch of Bollywood splendour through the memorable Sonu Nigam Night. Beneath the lights and music, however, lay a deeper sentiment: the conference stood as a testament to the resilience, creativity, and indomitable spirit of Mumbai’s orthopaedic surgeons.

In the long journey of the Bombay Orthopaedic Society, this decade remains a turning point; a period when the Society not only expanded in stature but crystallised its identity. It was an era defined by bold ideas, fearless execution, and the unshakeable conviction that Mumbai could meet any challenge with characteristic ingenuity and heart.