MOM of BB UK Chapter Meet; Sept 20, 2008

Dear friends

We have taken a leap towards helping people back in the Bihar by forming a strategic alliance between Bihar Brains, UK chapter and the Bihar Foundation UK. This is beginning of a new era in our collaborative effort to help people in the Bihar and we are sure that our collaborative effort will bring a perceptible change in the life of the people of Bihar.


Minutes of the First meeting between the Bihar Brains, UK Chapter (BB, UK) and the Bihar Foundation (BF), UK on 20th September 2008


Present:

Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Dr. Bhaskar Choubey, and Dr. Tina Malhotra from Bihar Brains, UK and Dr. Murali Sinha, Dr. Rajay Narain, Dr. Shivendra Kumar Sinha, and Col. C. P. Sinha from Bihar Foundation, UK.

Dr. Shripati Upadhyaya ( Kala Sangam , UK & Sanjeevani Health Care Trust , India )

Prof. Animesh Jha (Bihar Brains, UK shared his views over telephone)



Apologies: Mr. Nandan and Mr. Chetan Kashyap ( BiharBrains , UK )



Meeting was organised at the residence of Dr. Murali Sinha at Walsall

As the saying goes, bhukhe bhajan hot nahi gopala, there was plenty of delicious food to kick start the meeting. Thanks to Dr. Murali and Madam for excellent food and being such a nice host.

Special thanks to Dr. Shripati Upadhyaya for coming over to the meeting and willingness to make available his vast experience in autism to the people of the Bihar . Thanks to each and every one present in the meeting for their valuable contribution and sincere thanks to the spouses of the members present for their patience.



Following issues and action plans emerged from the meeting :

1) Bihar Foundation UK will give as much financial support as possible in organizing the Bihar Science Conference 2009.

2) The theme of the conference can be on flood/ disaster management and Dr. Bhaskar Choubey will discuss this with Bihar Brains. If agreed, BC will identify and invite some of the flood /disaster management experts and BF , UK will support financially to invite those experts

3) Dr. Shripati Upadhyaya, Dr. Sanjay Kumar, and Dr. Tina Malhotra in association with BF , UK will work on starting an Autism assessment and management centre in Patna . Dr. Rajay Narain, on behalf of BF , UK promised to provide all the necessary paraphernalia. Possibility of another satellite centre for autism and mental retardation in the Sheikhpura District will also be explored.

4) Dr. Shripati Upadhyaya, Dr. Sanjay Kumar, and Dr. Tina Malhotra will also work towards training other local professionals and volunteers in the field.

5) Training of local medical professionals for psychiatric assessment and management will be initiated. Dr Murali Sinha will liaise with pharmaceutical companies and Dr. Sanjay Kumar, and Dr. Tina Malhotra will conduct and oversee the training programme.

6) BF, UK in association with BB is planning to promote quality research at the masters and university level. Various incentives for quality research will be considered.

7) Col. C. P. Sinha will help to get funds for other projects. Dr. Sanjay Kumar and Dr. Bhaskar Choubey will write projects proposals which can be funded by various UK government agencies.

8) BB, UK will work along side BF , UK for fund raising events.

9) Dr. Bhaskar Choubey will plan to organize a fund raising event at Oxford which will be supported by all the members of BB , UK and BF , UK .

10) Need to have such meetings at regular intervals was also emphasized.



We will appreciate your feedback and any further suggestions.

Regards

Sanjay