Our country and especially our fraternity in the specialty of respiratory medicine has seen really hard times in the last one and a half years. However, now is the time to move on and look forward. After a difficult first wave of COVID-19 last year and devastating second wave early this year and now a massive vaccination drive undertaken by the Govt. of India, it seems that gradually the COVID disease coming under control in our country. Based on this hope and positivity, we plan to organize the annual conference NAPCON in conventional physical form from 1st February to 4th February 2022 at Varanasi.

This is high time for the colleagues from the specialty of respiratory medicine and associates to meet and interact physically with their colleagues, seniors, and juniors and try to move forward.

For this purpose, there could not have been a better place for NAPCON-2021 other than Varanasi or Kashi as we call it, the oldest living city in the world. Varanasi is one of the most ancient cities of the world and is considered the spiritual and cultural capital of India. For centuries, Varanasi is famous for spiritualism, mysticism, Indian philosophy, and Hinduism. This microcosm of Varanasi has fascinated the world for ages and people from across the world come to Varanasi to understand the spiritual tradition of Varanasi. I am assured that along with the best scientific content the participants of this conference will be exposed to the spiritual and cultural heritage of Varanasi. A visit to places like Sarnath where Lord Budhha gave his first sermon, Famous Hindu Temples, Ghats of River Ganges, and many other places shall be a lifetime experience for all the participants. Events like Ganga Arti, Subah-e-Banaras and many more are an experience worth taking.

As you all know that Varanasi has received the gift of Trade Facilitation and Exhibition Centre from our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Under the Trade Facilitation Centre, three additional floors including the basement, ground floor have been constructed in the Trade Facility Centre. a convention centre with a capacity of about 2500 persons, with other 11 different sizes of conference halls, food court, gallery, and large exhibition area. The entire campus is fully air-conditioned and equipped with a power backup facility. The complex has 13 lifts, two automated stairs. A solar power plant of 100 kW capacity has also been installed for self-use of the building.

To conclude, I very proudly and enthusiastically invite you all to Varanasi for NAPCON-2021 and assure you of a scientific extravaganza along with a memory of a lifetime.