The stalwarts in the neurological arena in India realized in late 1960’s, that a separate section concentrating on various aspects of epilepsy is needed . The aims and objective of such a society had to go beyond the charter of the Neurological Society of India (NSI). Dr. Anil D Desai was designated Secretary of Epilepsy section within NSI and in the period 1968 – 1969, he along with Dr. Eddie P.Bharucha and Dr. Noshir H Wadia went about in a missionary zeal to form a new society. This society, without disturbing the constitution of NSI, will enable the new society to solicit funds. It will have members independent of NSI and include lay members interested in the specialty in any capacity. The new society was named Indian Epilepsy Association (IEA). A new constitution for IEA was formulated incorporating the essential objectives, and rules under the Societies Registration Act. XXI of 1860. There were 9 members of the first Governing Council. Dr. Baldev Singh, Dr. B.Ramamurthi, Dr. T.K. Ghosh, Dr. E.P. Bharucha, Dr. A.D. Desai, Dr. N.H.Wadia, Dr. K.V. Mathai, Dr. K.S.Mani & Mrs.Roshan H. Dastur. These members registered IEA in 1970.

The movement spread with enthusiasm and by 1972 the Central Office in Bombay had 35 members (including 9 founder members), Bombay branch had 8, Madras 25, Delhi 31 and Bangalore 24 members. The annual membership fee at that time was Rs.10.

IEA members started having regular meeting of its Governing Council and general body. In the first meeting held on 27th Jan 1971, Dr. Baldev singh was appointed chairman and Dr. Eddie P Bharucha Secretary of IEA Dr.(Miss) F.N. Kohiyar was appointed Treasurer. This meeting to ensure effective work in all important cities, took the decision to form local branches / chapters with 15 members atleast in each.

The decision to seek affiliation to International Bureau of Epilepsy was taken in the G.C. Meeting held on 18 Dec.1973. The same year IEA received with deep gratitude a major contribution of Rs.10,000 from the P.C. Bharucha Trust.

Gradually the movement spread to various part of the country resulting in formation of several new chapters/branches. The high point of the achievement of IEA was hosting 18th International Epilepsy Congress in India at New Delhi in 1989.

National Epilepsy Day
In the Indore General Body Meeting held on 17th Dec 1990, it was decided to have 17th November every year as the National Epilepsy Day. It was proposed to celebrate this day by holding lectures, audiovisual shows, exhibitions, painting seminars, contests etc.

President IEA

IEA, CENTRAL OFFICE – OFFICE BEARERS

( 1971 – 2013 )

Annual Conferences of IEA

From 1999 onwards, IEA & IES held joint conferences

Recepients of Prof. B.M. Sharma Oration and H.C. Bajoria Award Prize