Around 700 original papers to be presented

LUDHIANA: The Association of Physicians of India (API) attempts to break the Guinness Book of Records by creating the biggest heart mosaic with vegetables on February 21, at its 69th annual conference (Apicon-2014) in Ludhiana.
"This significant divide is due to the unhealthy habits of urban people, which include a sedentary lifestyle, diet rich in fast food, and greater stress and strain.A change in lifestyle to that of our forefathers, with greater exercise, diet rich in vegetables, and strong family support and values can reduce the prevalence of these diseases," said Dr GS Wander, chairman, organizing committee, Apicon-2014.
The 69th Apicon is being organized from 20-23 February, 2014. The theme this year focuses on 'Generating Indian Evidence.' Apicon is being held in Punjab after 50 years. By generating Indian evidence, the idea of physicians is to evaluate and analyze the pattern of diseases among Indians. Around 700 original research papers on the theme are to be presented at the conference. More than 1,000 participants at the complex will actively participate to create a vegetable heart mosaic measuring 4,900 sq. ft. Post the event, Apicon and Ranbaxy will distribute the vegetables to charity homes.
Other key highlights at the conference include live workshops on echocardiography, mechanical ventilation, neurology, and pain management, apart from discussions on medical breakthroughs, regenerative medicine, and technology in clinical medicine, advances in stem cell therapy, cardiac diseases and emerging infections. Rajeev Sibal, vice-president & head-India Region, Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd, said: "We are attempting to create the world's largest vegetable mosaic and spread the message of 'Food for Healthy Heart', thereby encouraging people to adopt a healthy lifestyle and add vegetables to their daily diet."