The congress’s theme is “National impact of parasitic diseases on livestock health and production” with focus on “Changing trends in parasitology from eggs to genomics”.

Dr P N Bhat, a renowned scientist, former DDG (Animal Science) ICAR, Chairman, Task Force on Animal Biotechnology, DBT, New Delhi and Chairman, World Buffalo Trust, will inaugurate the congress while, Dr V K Taneja, Vice-Chancellor, GADVASU, will preside over the function. Dr Taneja exhorted the veterinary parasitologists to address emerging challenges in the form of drug resistance, emerging and re-emerging food borne zoonoses, transboundary diseases, food safety, vector control and vaccine development.

Dr K M L Pathak, President IAAVP and Director, National Research Centre on Camel , Bikaner, and local Organizing Committee Chairman, Dr S.S. Singh will also address the gathering.

Dr Sarman Singh from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, will deliver a key-note address on “Microscopy to microarray techniques in parasitic diseases. The focus of the congress will be on the impact of parasitic diseases on live-stock health and production and on changing trends in parasitology from conventional to molecular biology techniques and it will be useful for young, mid-career scientists and field veterinarians to get first-hand knowledge about newer technology for improving livestock health and productivity. Three publications including CD of the compendium will be released by the chief guest in the inaugural function, said Dr P D Juyal, organising-cum-general secretary of the congress.

The society will admit two scientists of eminence, Prof M.B Chhabra, New Delhi and Dr PK Sanyal from Chhattisgarh as national fellows. Awards such as Dr J.P. Dubey Young Scientist award, Best Poster/Oral presentation and Dr V S Alwar Memorial award for the best research published in Journal of Veterinary Parasitology will be conferred. More than 230 research papers have been received from different parts of the country and scientists from Pakistan. More than 150 delegates from state veterinary and agricultural universities, ICAR institutes, state governments, NGOs and corporate houses are likely to participate in the congress.