Dear Professional Colleagues,

Summer has come. It is just wrapping its arms around us like a warm blanket. Summer means happy times and good sunshine.

However, incidents like heat strokes, heat cramps and general exhaustion are on the rise across India. Food and water borne diseases are becoming very common. We all need to be hydrated and maintain hygiene. Drinking fluids even when not thirsty would be helpful to keep the body hydrated.

The 2019 Indian General election is currently being held in seven phases from 11th April to 19th May, 2019 to constitute the 17th Lok Sabha. The counting of votes will be conducted on 23rd May and on the same day, result will be declared. The last phase of election is yet to be over which is scheduled to be held on 19th May in the parts of Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Chandigarh. Right to vote has been recognized under Article 326 of the Constitution of India and as such, according to many jurists, is a Constitutional right. However, some jurists are of the view that Article 326 of the Constitution only tells us as to when the person is not eligible to vote and it is section 62(1) of the Representation of People Act, 1951 which actually gives its citizen the right to vote and hence, the right to vote is only a legal right. Leaving the said legal controversy aside, I appeal to all the members of AIFTP who hail from these States and from the constituencies where the voting is yet to be conducted, to be responsible citizens and cast their valuable votes and be part of the democracy.

At AIFTP, we have just relished the beautiful Conference organized by the Western Zone at Pune on 10th and 11th May, 2019. I am confident that all the participants were greatly benefitted by the deliberations at the Conference and at the same time enjoyed to the fullest in the beautiful city. Time has now come, to get ready for another Conference to be held at Tirupati, the land of Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Vishnu, who is believed to have appeared here to save mankind from trials and troubles of Kali Yuga.

At the end, I express by best wishes to you and your family.

Yours faithfully,

Dr. Ashok Saraf
National President