This year, as a part of Dravyamritam, an Eco-club was formed by the Department with the intention of distribution of plant saplings and their conservation in schools and houses of nearby Panchayaths. The Department also decided to take monthly awareness classes about the conservation of medicinal plants, their properties and uses to the school going students of selected schools in nearby Panchayats.

The program commenced at 9.30 am with a prayer followed by Ranga pooja by PG scholars of Dravyaguna Vijnana. The inaugural ceremony was started by the lighting of the lamp by Honorable chief guest, Dr. Jose. T. Paikada (Senior Medical Officer, ISM Dept). The welcome speech was delivered by Dr. Priya S. (Professor and HOD, Department of Dravyaguna, Amrita School of Ayurveda) followed by an inaugural address by Dr. Rabinarayan Tripathy (Vice principal, Amrita School of Ayurveda). Dr. Vimala K. S. (Professor, Department of Dravyaguna, Amrita School of Ayurveda) honored the chief guest. Dr. Ushakumari (HOD, Department of Samhita and Siddhanta, Amrita School of Ayurveda and Dr. Ramesh N. V. (HOD Department of Rasasatra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, Amrita School of Ayurveda) felicitated the event.

A photo album of medicinal plants of Amrita Herbal Garden created by Dr. Sailakshmi V. J.(2016 batch PG scholar) was released on the same day by Dr. Rabinarayan Tripathy. The album was designed with an intention to taxonomically identify the plants in Amrita Herbal Garden. It contains photographs and binomials of around 270 medicinal plants in the garden. A token of appreciation was given to Dr. Sailakshmi by Dr. Priyalatha B. (Associate Professor, Department of Dravyaguna, Amrita School of Ayurveda) for her valuable contribution.

The UG students of the 2018 batch who secured distinction and 1st rank in the subject of Dravya Guna were honored.

Dr. Jose T. Paikada inaugurated the exhibition named VIBHA which was arranged by the 2018 UG batch. The main focus of the exhibition was to create knowledge about various medicinal plants to be used in different ritus and disease conditions. An exhibition in the name of “Creative Corner” was arranged by the UG students of the 2018 batch showed their excellence in utilizing several dravyas transformed into beautifully hand crafted products which were a center of attraction.

The highlight of the day was the lecture delivered by invited guest Dr. Jose T. Paikada on the topic “Management of Common Diseases using Simple Low-cost Yogas”. The class threw light on deeper aspects of treatment principles of various diseases by the use of simple yogas and encouraged the students to think in a broader perspective.

The afternoon session was packed with various cultural events organized by the 2018 UG batch like drug puzzle, makeover with dravya and so on.

All the events were very informative and interesting. The enthusiastic participation by UG, PG students and faculty members made the day a memorable one.

The program was concluded by a dance performance and national anthem at 4 pm.