The Nagpur Centre of The Indian Institute of Architects was established on 26th August 1973. That was the first step towards strength, when members of the erstwhile Architects' Association of Nagpur gave themselves this honorable place in the hierarchy of the Institute. The Centre has always put up an extra ordinary display of dedicated workmanship, good understanding and fraternal relationship in conducting various seminars, conferences regularly. Notable achievements being the National Convention in 1988 and Young Architects' Festival in 1997, which are still hailed as the most popular, well organized and well attended events of The Indian Institute of Architects. 'Rachana' - an exhibition of building materials and office automation systems was started in 1988 along with the National Convention and was organized every alternate year. Since last 3-4 years, it has become our yearly feature. In the meantime, our present activities continue to improve our professional and academic competence. Several interesting and educative programmes were conducted, in some of which, the public also participated.

We have observed regularly, The World Architecture Day, The Teachers' Day and The World Environment Day to honour members for the excellent work they did and to focus the attention of the public on various civic issues. The 'Charter-Nite' programme has already become a family affair! ‘Mavlankar Memorial Oration' is another yearly feature. The Centre celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 1998. Among our material benefits and surpluses, the most important out-come is the tremendous confidence and self-respect among members. The Centre's new strength has now become a national force to be reckoned with. Our present challenge is to make Nagpur a 'one-hundred percent' Centre. This List of Architects will show the result of our determination when compared with the earlier lists. But there is no room for complacency and more work remains to be done. The excellent teamwork during all these years, has brought many laurels to the Centre. After a long stint as Council Member and four year term as a Jt. Hon. Secretary, Prof. Shireesh Deshpande was elected President of IIA in the term 1992-94. Ar. Vasant B. Ranade represented the Centre at the National level as Chairman of Publication Board for 8 consecutive years and as editor of JIIA for 3 years. He was elected Hon. Treasurer of the Institute for the term 1998-2000 and 2000-2002. Ar. Shriman Marathe was elected Chairman, Maharashtra Chapter in 1998-2000 and as Council Member of IIA in 1998-2000 and 2000-02. Ar. I. k. Advani represented Nagpur Centre at Chapter level as Chapter Vice-Chairman in 2002-04 and as Council Member of IIA in 1998-2000.

The second flank of our workers is also ready to take up responsibilities. Ar. Sunil Degwekar, Madan Pande, Atulchandra Mendhekar and P. S. Ahuja represented Nagpur Centre on the Maharashtra Chapter Executive Committee. The professional scence is changing very rapidly. Our members are also growing rapidly! We must now create more space to accommodate every one. As our size grows, the need for better communication grows simultaneously. We have done it in past, are doing it now and shall do it in future.

We have the Strength!