• Dr. C.M. Gupta
• Dr. Anuradha Dube
• Dr. Neeloo Singh

• Dr. H.K. Majumder
• Dr. Syamal Roy
• Dr. Chitra Mandal

• Prof. Shyam Sundar

• Dr. Pradeep Das

                Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) has been the cause of great suffering and deaths for hundreds of years in many parts of the world. Indian physicians applied the Sanskrit term Kala-Azar (KA) (meaning 'black fever') to an ancient disease later defined as VL. KA was first noticed in Jessore (Bangladesh) in India in 1824, when patients suffering from fevers that were thought to be due to malaria, but failed to respond to quinine. By 1862 the disease had spread to Burdwan (West Bengal), and reached epidemic proportions. In 1901, William Leishman while working in India identified certain organisms in smears taken from the spleen of a patient who had died from 'dumdum fever'. Initially, these organisms were considered to be trypanosomes, but in 1903 Captain Donovan described them as being new. The link between these organisms and KA was eventually clarified by Major Ross who named them leishmania donovani. There are obviously many unsung heroes of Indian scientists behind the initial discoveries and in the subsequent contributions of great importance.

It is proposed to commemorate these contributions to Leishmania Research during WL4.
                  To date 90% of anthroponotic VL occurs in Bangladesh, India and Sudan. The latest Press Trust of India reports that in Nov-Dec 2006 an estimated 250,000 people were afflicted by this parasitic disease in Bihar, thereby implying that VL is still an epidemic in northeastern region of India. Recent reports of post Kala-Azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) have started pouring in from the western regions of the India as well. This disease is of concern in our neighboring countries of Nepal and Bangladesh too. Opportunistic co-infection of this parasite with HIV is also becoming the cause of a grave concern in these regions.

There are also recent reports of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniases apparently caused by members of the L. tropica and L. infantum/donovani complexes at the foothill of Himalaya in Himachal Pradesh.

India is thus the right place for gathering leishmaniacs from the world in all disciplinary areas for WL4 to formulate better strategies for management and control of this deadly, but neglected disease.

It is further proposed to hold WL4 in honor of the late Dr A. N. Bhaduri, ex-Director of Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata who was also a member of scientific committee of the previous WorldLeish.
 

1. Time-frame and format for abstract electronic submission, compilation & organization for review by Scientific Committee.
    
2. Program and abstract booklet design and printing.

Venue: Scientific Convention Centre, Lucknow, India
The Convention Centre has a floor area of 200,000 sq feet. It has 3 halls of 200, 400 and 1400 seating capacity, 2 banquet halls, 2 exhibition galleries, an open air theatre, a general library, an audiovisual library, rehearsal rooms, a foyer area below the dome and connecting corridors. All are fully air conditioned. There is ample space for poster displays. There are 8 lifts, including a capsule lift from which historical buildings of Lucknow can be seen. The center has state-of-the-art audiovisual facilities. The auditoria can be used for plays, concerts as well as films. Besides, there are 8 VIP suites with complete lodging facilities. There is also a complete kitchen and pantry as well as food hubs.

One theatre of 1400 seats, two 400 seats and two 200 seats plus central open area for poster session.
 

1. Free transport everyday (3-7th Feb 2009) from hotel to venue and back.
2. Memento (special Lucknow chikan hand embroidery) and Lucknow city guide map with picture postcards of prominent historical places.
3. Smart cards for access in venue and for lunch/dinner.
4. Lucknow city tour invitation

Access core banking facility from any SBI branch for remittance using above information accept SWIFT CODE. A copy of bank transfer be attached with registration/accommodation form.

For bank drafts, the DD be drawn in favour of CDRIWL4 on State Bank of India, payable at CDRI branch, Lucknow.
 

• As needed via e-mail and phone

• Please refer to Table in Section [4]

Government financial agencies: minimum commitment of Rs 35 lakhs ( $ 85,000) which can go upto Rs 1 crore ($250,000)
[1$= INR 40]

• State Council of Science and Technology, UP
• State Ministry of Health, UP; Chief Minister Fund

• Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
• Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
• Department of Science and Technology (DST)
• Department of Biotechnology (DBT)
• Indian National Science Academy (INSA)
• Central Ministry of Health (MoH)
• National Academy of Sciences India (NASI)

• Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi)
• Tropical Disease Research, WHO (TDR)
• Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
• Institute for OneWorld Health
• The World Bank
• United Nations Development Program

B. Additional plan of applications:
Various drug Companies/Non Government Organizations (GlaxoSmithKline, Gland Pharma, Cadilla, Ranbaxy, Wockhard)

D. Support for site-visit, invited speakers and students/participants from underdeveloped countries: as in [6]

A. International, national and local transportation information and service:
Receiving at International Airport Delhi and arrangement for onward journey by air to Lucknow will be finalized. We have put forth business proposal to certain airlines to get discounted fare for our delegates and also use of SKYTEAM Airline Alliance. We also propose to charter two flights daily from Delhi to Lucknow and back. These business proposals with airlines are still under negotiation and relevant information will be put up on our web page later.

Receiving at International Airport Delhi and arrangement for onward journey by train to Lucknow and back will be looked after by Mr. Cos & Kings, Sales Executive, GREAT VALUE TRAVELS, Lucknow.
 

• Receiving at Lucknow airport/railway station and local transport during the meeting will be looked after by Mr Cos & Kings, Sales Executive, GREAT VALUE TRAVELS, Lucknow
   

• Catering services during the conference will be provided by Ms. TVM Foods (Caterers) Lucknow.
   

• Registration material (Bags, batches, stationeries etc.): This will be looked after by Organizing Secretariat.
   

• Pandal, Furnishing, Poster boards, Lightings, will be looked after by RAJ DESIGNS and EXHIBITS, Lucknow.
   

• Audio/ Video supports will be provided by RITIKA FILMS, Lucknow.
   

• Cultural events: will be provided by Sangeet Surabhi, Lucknow.
   

• Manpower Support: RITIKA FILMS, Lucknow.
   

B. Lodging facilities: (all AC rooms)
All the following listed hotels are within a radius of 5 kms from venue. Arrangements for transportation to the venue and back to the hotel will be made available by buses everyday by Mr Cos & Kings, Sales Executive, GREAT VALUE TRAVELS, Lucknow. For in between transportation requirement by delegates, these buses will also act as shuttle service every three hours to and fro from hotels (time table will be put up at venue).
Walking from hotels to venue is not advisable for the foreigners not well versed with city traffic culture.
 

1. Free breakfast
2. Free transport to and fro from guest house to venue
3. All these guest houses will be WiFi enabled for their easy internet connectivity.
4. All rooms will be air conditioned and will have a refrigerator, television set, closet.

D. Internet availability and service:
Internet service including announcement, receiving of abstracts and their passing on to members of scientific committee for evaluation will be managed through our web page www.worldleish4.org managed by Manas Computer Services, Lucknow
Internet service to the participants during the meeting will be available at the venue.

1. Security for all delegates: State Police will be notified of this event and some contact phone numbers will be made available on our web page.
2. Medical Committee in case of emergency for WL4

• Dr O.P Asthana, CDRI Lucknow physician
• Dr S.S. Agarwal, Senior Medical Consultant, Vivekanand Hospital Lucknow
• Dr Shyam Sundar, physician, IMS, BHU, Varanasi
• Dr Sita Naik, physician SGPGIMS Lucknow
• Dr Vipul Shah, orthopedic surgeon, F.I. Hospital Lucknow

• T.V. M. Foods (Caterers) Lucknow (As mentioned in section 7.c)

• T.V. M. Foods (Caterers) Lucknow (As mentioned in section 7.c)