In ancient times, when students left their guru’s abode or the gurukula, after completing their studies, they underwent a sacred ritual known as Samavarthanam.
In these modern times, the ancient ritual was invoked once again when sixty students of the Amrita School of Ayurveda came together for their graduation ceremony titled Samavarthanam.
The about-to-graduate doctors listened as Br. Sankara Chaitanya, Medical Director, Amrita Ayurveda Hospital, shared his insights.
“In the olden days, the Acharyas of Ayurveda allowed their disciples to stay with them and learn Sanskrit, Sankhya philosophy and all other disciplines they needed to know. They would take their pupils out with them and show them the plants growing in the forests and fields. When they went to see patients, each case was explained in a detailed manner. At Amrita, we have been trying to include all these points in our system of education,” he said.
“We have given students exposure to the spiritual and cultural heritage of our country. They learned Sanskrit as well as received training in modern research methodologies. Here we believe in a fusion of the ancient sciences with modern technologies,” he added.
Swami Amritakripananda Puri blessed the graduating doctors with his benedictory address.
“Ayurveda is linked with spirituality. For attaining spiritual goals, we require a healthy body. Ayurveda gives us not only physical health but also mental health. Moreover, Ayurveda took its birth from the Vedas,” he stated.
Sri. V. S. Sivakumar, Honorable Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Kerala, addressed the gathering as the Chief Guest at the function.
“Beyond your career as a doctor, it is great that you will have the opportunity to serve. Just as Sadguru Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi devotes her entire time to serving society, so too you should have the vision of service throughout your career,” he urged.
Padmasree Dr. Hareendran Nair, founder of Pankaja Kasthuri Herbals India Pvt. Ltd., also echoed the same sentiments in his speech. “You should realize your power and utilize it for serving society. Throughout your life, you should be able to give energy to others and empower others,” he underlined.
Dr. T. Sivadasan, DAME, Government of Kerala also spoke at the gathering.
Soon it was time to receive the certificates. Br. Sankara Chaitanya presented the medical degrees to the graduating students even as they took the oath administered by Principal Dr. Shyamala.
Sri. V. S. Sivakumar distributed prizes to meritorious students. Drs. Rashmi Raj, Parvathy Unnikrishnan and Sreedevi Vijayalakshmi were felicitated for their academic excellence; they respectively obtained the first, second and third ranks in their batch of sixty students.
“We are so blessed to have studied in a holistic environment at the Amrita School of Ayurveda. Our faculty members provided us tremendous support. We thank them for everything,” shared Dr. Rashmi Raj, unable to contain her joy.
As the evening wore on, the new doctors enjoyed colorful cultural performances put forth by the junior students. As the day came to an end, a new beginning was marked in the chapter of their lives …
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June 14, 2012
School of Engineering, Coimbatore
