As the name suggests, the Interventional Cardiology Research and Training Foundation (ICRTF) was born out of a clear and purposeful vision — to advance clinical research and training in interventional cardiology.

India is home to an extraordinary pool of talented interventional cardiologists, many of whom routinely perform some of the most complex procedures seen anywhere in the world. At the same time, we are witnessing a rapid growth in the number of younger cardiologists entering the field. With this comes a pressing need: to support their training, accelerate their learning curves, and create platforms for meaningful peer-to-peer exchange — focusing on real-world challenges encountered in the cath lab.

Equally important is the need to systematically document, publish, and share the remarkable work being done in India. For our clinical excellence to gain global recognition, we need robust, credible data. This means encouraging more homegrown research and fostering a culture where evidence generation becomes an integral part of our clinical practice.

My journey in this direction began in 2007, when I conceptualized and organized the first SACCI (South Asian Complex Coronary Interventions) meeting in Trivandrum — a landmark event that brought some of the world's top interventional cardiologists to India at a time when we had much to learn from global leaders. In 2013, recognizing the strength of collective effort, I co-founded the IJCTO (Indo-Japanese CTO Club), which has since grown into the largest CTO-focused platform in the country and one of the most eagerly anticipated meetings on the national calendar.

These experiences reinforced a powerful truth: a shared vision among committed individuals can achieve far more than isolated efforts. With ICRTF, I have been fortunate to bring together some of the most respected and motivated minds in Indian interventional cardiology — individuals who are united by a common mission and ready to serve a larger cause with selfless dedication.

Our vision is clear: to elevate India's standing in interventional cardiology through rigorous research, transformative training, and meaningful global collaboration.

Let this be a collective journey — for our patients, for our community, and for the future of Interventional cardiology in India.