World MS Day was observed with 3 very significant programs.
On the 29th of May a Press Conference was called by AIIMS where AIIMS doctors and MSSI members participated. This had very good media coverage.
On the 30th May Delhi Chapter presented a programme "Living with MS" at Jawaharlal Nehru Auditorium AIIMS from 2-5 pm which dealt with issues related to MS in everyday life.
This had the presence of about 150 MSP and caregiver members. Thesession was chaired by eminent Doctors &Senior Neuro Consultants of AIIMS participated in this as panellists. Dr. Dashpreet was also invited as a panellist. It was a question and answer session on designated topics and was well received by all.
This was followed by a Fun filled programme at Select City Walk Mall where 4 giant Puppets drew the attention of public towards the 2 birds, one ethnic man and one woman dressed up in colourful flowing Indian silk garments. There was live music which had quite a few people dancing to the tunes. MSPs and their families attended this programme in good numbers. Pamphlets were distributed to public. Film actress Ms Sushma Seth created a stir in public by mixing around with all. Along with MSSI Committee members & CEO, President Mr. Ram, also addressed all for few minutes.
Doordarshan interviewed and covered the whole programme and telecast it nationwide. Several newspapers like Hindustan Times,Indian Express, Hindu, Pioneer, Deccan Herald carried stories/write-ups. All our patients were very happy and enjoyed their outing.
HYDERABAD CHAPTER :

World MS Day 2012 was celebrated at City Center Mall, BanjaraHills, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Neurologist from Apollo Hospital was the guest speaker.
The MSPs along with family and friends, participated in the group activities planned by the YMSG, They along with their friends and colleagues broke into a dance and started the FLASH MOB – the highlight of the evening. A guest speaker addressed the gathering. A Certificate of Effort and a token of appreciation was given to all the participants of the Flash Mob. The program ended with the formation of the human chain.
Media Coverage:There was very good coverage of the entire program by TV channels – Sakshi, Gemini TV & I TV and Newspapers – The Hindu, Deccan Chronicle, Hindi Milap, Eenadu, Andhra Jyothi and others.
MUMBAI CHAPTER:

Mumbai Chapter marked this day with Activities and Events aiming to raise awareness about MS. This year’s theme was “Living with MS” & a Panel Discussion revolving around the subject was held to mark the event at S. P. Jain Auditorium, Bombay Hospital, Mumbai from 9.30am to 2p.m.
In all 170 persons were present. This event was supported by the presence of many renowned personalities from various sectors like Corporate, Finance, Insurance, Medical, Social, Legal, Media, and Theatre.
The MSSI Activities were highlighted &the Panel Discussion began. The highlights were the problems faced by MS Persons and how best they can be solved, predominantly through Governmental support, Employment opportunities, nominations, Trusts, Wills & Living Wills, means to generate greater awareness. Issues of the Legal Aspects and the Provisions or lack of it in the Disabilities Act Insurance Cover, and issues with regards tohospital administration.
Prize Distribution of MS Victor Awards were given to the Caregiver / MS Person. A 10minute Documentary was unveiled. This was followed by the formation of the Human Chain. Bookmarks highlighting MS were handed over to the invitees.
Media Coverage: To add to our Awareness campaign, All India Radio made announcements in Hindi & English & the event was also covered by Times of India, Hindustan Times, Money Life Magazine & many others.
KOLKATTA CHAPTER
MS Day programme took place in the Institute of Neurosciences Kolkata , one of the most modern neurological hospitals twinned with Regional Neurosciences centre,Newcastle,UK.
There were four separate sessions : a) Neurologyb) Counsellingc) Physiotherapyd) Nutrition. One to one patient doctor interaction took place. There were hoardings in prominent places in the Centre of the city. Leaflets were distributed amongst the public. Announcement of World MS Day in the popular FM Radio Channel was broadcasted on 30th May several times. Media persons, Press, Celebrities, and Corporate Officials were invited to join and help MSSI Kolkata to increase awareness among common people. Lastly they formed a Human Chain in front of INK which is a very prominent and important location in Kolkata.
A medical Company, sponsored awareness advertisement in two leading newspapers,one in Bengali and the other in English.
PUNE CHAPTER:

MSSI Pune Chapter held an Awareness Event at BNY Mellon, Tower 12, Magarpatta City, to commemorate World MS Day 0n 30th May 2012 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM.
The program started with the formation of a Human Chain. The participants included BNY Mellon Employees, Patients, Care Givers, Committee Members, Staff Members. Approx. 100-150 persons gathered to make the Human Chain. MSSI gave their ‘MSSI Pune badges’ to all the participants. After the Human Chain, Corporate Manager gave a welcome speech in the auditorium. Five minutes awareness CD clip of MS was shown to the audience. The topics discussed were on: Social Awareness of MS & their basic needs like Mental, Physical, and Medical help”.
Media Coverage: An article was published in Sakaal (Marathi) Newspaper
MSSI PUDUCHERRY SUPPORT GROUP:

World MS Day was observed by the Puducherry Support Group on Saturday, June 2, 2012. The venue was the Seminar Hall of the Department of Neuro Sciences, JIPMER, Puducherry.
The Patron of the Support Group welcomed the gathering.
The President of the Interactive Session laid a lot of emphasis on MS and patient centric activities. This was followed by a power point presentation “Recent Advances in Research on MS”, and initiatives taken by the Chapter to improve the “Quality of Life” of the those “Living with MS”. The meeting was attended by 12 MS persons, their caregivers, Post graduate students in Neurology, Nurses, Physiotherapists and Neurologists from other hospitals. Book marks were given to all the invitees.
Media coverage – the Hindu and Indian Express.
MSSI INDORE SUPPORT GROUP:
They organised a DOCTOR’S SEMINAR on 19th May 2012, at RadisonBlu Hotel, Ring Road, Indore. Attendees: 19 Doctors, 03 Biogen Members, 04 MSSG Members and 04 Volunteers.
A day earlier there was a press conference organized for the same. The idea was to gather people from the medical field to interact on the issues related with MS
Doctors from Indore, Ujjain, Dewas and Bhopal attended the seminar. After the presentation, a panel discussion was initiated; the topics chosen for the panel discussion were the Diagnostic Issues in MS and Neuro MylietisOptica (NMO).
MS WALK IN INDORE ON 30TH MAY:
A day prior to the event press conference was organized for the same. Around 80 people including – MS patients, Caregivers, Doctors, Celebrities, Volunteers, Friends and few people from REED, attended.
MSSI T-shirts and YMSG Badges were distributed to people. This was followed by fun and surprise events. the first event i.e. a short play on MS and MS Support Group was organized by the members of AN EYE Group. 12 people were casted in it. After the play, YMSG participants shared their experience in dealing with MS.This was followed by entertainment programme..The REED group deals with people who get injuries in spinal cord, they shared their experiences of their group and its activities. The MS Walk took the form of a fashion show, where the Youth Ambassador for the MS Support Group inaugurated the event. She was amongst the top 5 in Miss Queen of India 2012 and her few ads and movies are on the threshold of release.
Finally the models escorted the MSP and had a walk with them. This was followed by human chain. ,

A heartfelt Thank-you to all our MS Persons, their families, our Friends and Volunteers, who attended this World MS Day.
Indore Support Group – As an early participation in WMSD, the
Indore Support Group organized a
DOCTOR’S SEMINAR on 19th May 2012, at Venue: RadisonBlu Hotel, Ring Road, Indore. Besides Indore members and sponsors there were 19 Doctors.
The idea was to gather people from the medical field to interact on the issues related with MS.
Dr. M V Padma Shrivastava (Professor, Neurology Dept., AIIMS, Delhi) was invited as the main speaker for the Doctor’s Seminar. Our sincere thanks to him for his interesting talk and for spending time with us. Doctors from Indore, Ujjain, Dewas and Bhopal also attended. Dr. Manish Bandhisthey welcomed all.the guests and Dr. Padma gave a beautiful presentation on
“The Approach to Treatment Strategies for MS”. After the presentation, a panel discussion was initiated, comprising of Dr. Padma, Dr. Pauranik, Dr. Kathpal and Dr. Passi. The topics chosen for the panel discussion were the Diagnostic Issues in MS and Neuro MylietisOptica (NMO). Later, a brief introduction of MSIF, MSSI and MS Support Group – Indore and their activities, was given by Mr. Sanket.
Finally Dr. Manish Bandhisthey concluded the seminar with a vote of thanks. We are grateful to Biogen Idec for their support &to MSSI for sponsoring the event.
The biennial Council meeting of the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) took place in India from 10-13 November 2011 at Hotel Lalit, New Delhi and was co-hosted by the Multiple Sclerosis Society of India (MSSI). Representatives of the global MS movement met to plan for the next five years.
WE ARE GROWING AND INCREASING OUR SUPPORT:NEW MSSI Support Groups Created - 1)Indore-Madhya Pradesh. Contact Saket Mestry - 09755099703
2)Puducherry - Tamil Nadu. Contact - Ann Gonsalves - 09962100256
3)Ahmedabad Contact - Sheela Chitnis - 09819054998
GREAT News!
MSSI has Formed Youth MS Groups, YMSGs for the young MS people below 40 in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Indore and now Kolkata is ready to take off. JOIN YMSG-HOW IT CHANGES LIFE? * Windows open for sharing problems and solutions with friends in similar situation and age group.
* Regular group outings.
* Telephone, internet networking and tele-con parties
* Common advocacy of problems
* Feeling of independence
* Reduces psychological issues-through automatic peer group counselling and motivation
* Get connected with International young MS groups
JOIN Youth MS Group,YMSG:
Contact: YMSG National Leader- Ms. Shalini Monga-09811099099 and
YMSG Co ordinator-Mr.Sanket Mestry-09755099703