Minister for Health & Medical Education, Bali Bhagat inaugurated 2-day National Seminar on “Role of Yoga and Naturopathy for Total Health” in the Central University of Jammu here today.The event has been organized by the Yoga Centre of Central University Jammu in collaboration with the Union Ministry of AYUSH with an objective to highlight the importance of Yoga and its benefits for the human health. More than 150 delegates from across the State and about one and half dozen Resource Persons (Yoga Experts) from outside are participating in the seminar and deliberating in length and breadth on the Yoga.Prominent among the participants are Vice Chancellor, Central University of Jammu, Prof Ashok Aima, Secretary Technical (Health & Medical Education) and Director Indian System of Medicines, Dr. Abdul Kabir Dar, In-charge Yoga Centre, Central University, Dr. D.S. Choudhary, key Resource Persons, Dr. Upinder Babu Khatri, Dr. Sang Mittra, Dr. Udham Singh, Dr. Surendra Kumar, Dr. Kamakshya Kumar, Dr. Subodh Tiwari, Dr Omjee, several faculty Members of Central University and large number of students, members of civil society and Yoga lovers.Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that Yoga is an ancient traditional practice across the world to keep away from diseases and fitness of body and mind. Originated from India, now the entire world has recognized its importance and adapted it for their well being. With the efforts of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi the Yoga has received due recognition at the global level and world community commemorates it on 21stof June every year with all enthusiasm.
Emphasizing the need for creating awareness in the society for the promotion of Yoga and its benefits, the Minister called upon the social organizations, educational institutions to make collective and holistic efforts to enlighten the masses and spreading it in every nook and corner of the State so that more and more people adept it in life and remain healthy. He said during the past over two to three decades, the Yoga and traditional system of medicines like AYUSH has become popular in the society and number of patients has increased manifold. He said Government has taken several initiatives to upgrade the AYUSH sector in the State to coupe up the rush of patients. The AYUSH treatment is available in every district and sub-district hospital across the State, besides exclusive network of AYUSH health centres in the State, said the Minister. Keeping in view its importance, the Government has revived the Ayurvedic College in Jammu with 50 intake capacity of BAMS seats after more than four decades. The said Ayurvedic College existed in Jammu about 42 years ago, but was closed down by the then Government for unknown reasons. Similarly, the Unani Medical College in Kashmir will also start its functioning from the next year as the building is at its final phase. To promote AYUSH sector in Ladakh, the Government will shortly notify and recognize the traditional Amchi and Sowa Rigpa system which already prevalent in the Ladakh region, said the Minister.
He said the State has lot of herbal potential, and Government will make every possible effort to tap it and utilize for the best patient care. He said Government will develop a High-tech Nursery for medicinal plants in Jammu to produce the raw material for the AYUSH medicines. He said that educational institutions, including Universities can play an important role in promoting the AYUSH sector in the State in association with the Government, for which a roadmap will be drawn shortly. He called upon the authorities of Central University to take initiative for establishing Naturopathy and Homeopathy Colleges as a first step to promote the AYUSH sector, for which the Government will fully coordinate, said the Minister.Prof. Ashok Aima, Dr. Abdul Kabir Dar and other Yoga experts also highlighted the importance of Yoga and AYUSH and expressed their views to make this traditional system more popular and vibrant so that people from all walks of life can adept the same easily in their day-to-day life.The Vice Chancellor also honoured the guests with souvenirs. He also thanked the participants for making the event a grand success. He said the event will go a long way in promoting the Yoga among students and Members of the civil society. He said the Central University has already established a Yoga Centre and students are taking lot of interests in its short-term courses. He said several initiatives are in pipeline and will be pursued vigorously to give them practical shape.