Many many years ago when I did my training in New Zealand we graduated with a three year diploma, We had very little applied science in our course, tended to think in recipes of treatment, were banned from conducting research by the medical profession, and had to rely on referrals always from a Dr. We didn't really think for ourselves and had virtually no genuine post graduate degrees. We were a laughing stock compared to our Australian counterparts who had four year science degrees and active research programmes.

Our big problem was lack of funding, failure to be incorporated into our high quality universities and our subservience to the medical profession. However within 15 -20 years we turned our ship completely around and now offer high quality education at all levels, vigorous research programmes and enjoy primary practice status and altough we do still have some funding issues our profession is right up there with the top in the world. I am sure India has unique issues to deal with but it strikes me how similar your experience is now with ours when i was a fresh young graduate.

So if we can do it then I am sure India can and will progress - time, continued lobbying for funding, increasing the calibre of university programmes,and research programmes and refusing to be dominated by the medical profession. The people of India deserve a world class physiotherapy profession.