Presidential Message

Dear Members and Friends,

To serve as President of the Indian Association of Surgical Gastroenterology is both an honour and a responsibility I accept with gratitude and humility.

Surgical gastroenterology has always advanced by crossing boundaries—between disciplines, technologies, institutions, and ideas. Today, we stand before new horizons shaped by robotics, artificial intelligence, precision oncology, transplantation, data science, regenerative medicine, and increasingly personalised patient care. But the most important questions are not always found in the most familiar discussions.

Our association must therefore remain a forum not only for sharing established knowledge, but also for challenging assumptions, examining neglected problems, and giving space to ideas that may define the future. Alongside technical excellence, we must preserve the essential human dimensions of our profession: judgement, compassion, communication, mentorship, and accountability.

The society has been a source of strength, camaraderie and space for reflection for the last 33 years since my joining! During my presidential year, I hope to encourage meaningful academic collaboration, nurture young talent, provide mentorship support, promote research of clinical relevance, and strengthen the sense of community within IASG. Let us move beyond repetition towards reflection, innovation, and purposeful action.

The future of surgical gastroenterology will be shaped not only by what we can do, but by what we choose to pursue—and for whom.

I look forward to your support and partnership.

Warm regards,

Dr. Puneet Dhar
President, IASG 2026–27