Masicon is the Annual Conference of the Maharashtra State Chapter of A.S.I. The idea of holding a state level meeting was born in Pune in a casual discussion during the meeting of Poona Surgical Society. Dr. M.J. Joshi proposed that surgeons from all over Maharashtra should come together and it should be designated as the First Maharashtra State Surgeons’ Conference. The concept was upheld immediately. Dr. M.Y. Bapaye was the Organizing Secretary of the First MASICON held at Pune on 26th March 1979. It was attended by over 250 delegates in spite a short notice of only 6 weeks.

In the First General Body Meeting at that time it was decided unanimously to form a State Chapter of A.S.I. and hold it’s Annual Conference MASICON at different places by invitation. Dr. B.D. Pujari spontaneously invited the 2nd MASICON at Miraj where the Draft of Constitution was presented after getting necessary permission from A.S.I. to start the State Chapter. The 3rd MASICON was invited by Dr. V.D.Kirpekar at Solapur and the snow-ball has started rolling, gethering mass as well as momentum. The 24th MASICON would be held at Nashik and 25th MASICON is inivated by Nagpur. In these years MASICON has been held at fifteen different places in Maharashtra where actively functioning surgical societies have been established, truely propogating the aims of A.S.I. at grass root level.

Land marks in development of MASICON.

Following events have been trend setting events in development of MASICON to reach its present status.

First MASICON was held in Pune 1979.

In MASICON – 84 at Thane.

• Late Dr. G.M. Phadke Memorial Oration was instituted. First Oration was given by Dr. P.B. Desai Mumbai.
• The novel idea of C.M.E. programmed with the help of video tapes was introduced.

In MASICON – 91 at Mumbai – Late Dr. K. C. Gharpure Memorial Oration was started the first Oration was given by Dr. S.P. Sane Pune.

In MASICON 92 at Pune the optional C.M.E. become integral part of MASICON. Which become a two and half day affair.

In MASICON 95 at thane the best paper session was introduce and a success ful pre conference surgical workshop was arranged.

In MASICON 2001 Pune international and National facility participated in pre conference workshop and as well as CME program for the first time.

The State Conference has provided an effective forum to so many to share their experiences, compare notes and return home a wealth of knowledge. The Forum has fulfilled the essential need of ever changing and ever growing surgical speciality. But what is more gratifying is the fellowship we build and strengthen during MASICON. The fellowship has integrated all of us a Family of Surgeons of Maharashtra.