July 27, 2010
School of Ayurveda, Amritapuri
 

Over 700 delegates including faculty and students from all fourteen Ayurveda Colleges in Kerala offering training at the UG and PG levels and government employed doctors, attended Samayoga 2010, conducted on July 8-9, at the Amrita School of Ayurveda.
 

Conducted in collaboration with the National Council of Rural Institutes (NCRI), this was a global seminar focusing on traditional systems of medicine.
 

In her welcome speech, Dr. B. Syamala, Principal, Amrita School of Ayurveda pointed out that the event was an attempt to contribute to the revitalization and proper recognition of traditional knowledge systems of India.
 

Br. Dr. Sankara, Medical Director, Amrita School of Ayurveda, called for an integrated approach to make the best of the advantages that every system offered. Dr. Shanti Nair, Director, Amrita Center for Nanosciences, highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary programs.
 

Invited speakers, practitioners and researchers, belonging to a wide range of traditional and modern systems of knowledge, spoke on various topics including Naturopathy, Pain and Palliative Care, Astrology and Ayurveda, Yoga, Excellence in Traditional Eye Care Systems.
 

“The inaugural and keynote sessions brought clarity regarding essential points to be considered when trying to invigorate traditional systems,” stated a participant. “An integrated approach with modern systems, research methodologies and communication with the public are required.”
 

“It is not enough to just once again call for research as being the need of the hour,” stated Dr. Agnivesh from the Nangeli Ayurveda Medical College, in his keynote address. “Rather we should answer the question of what kind of research could bring real benefits to humanity.”
 

“Research in traditional medical systems needs to study available data, which is often not available,” he said. “In order to introduce the goodness of Ayurveda to the world, we have to speak in terms of the world and not just in ayurvedic terms, that may be Greek to the layperson.”
 

Dr. Agnivesh further explained that although Ayurveda permitted logical changes in the form of additions, deletion or substitution of ingredients to suit a patient’s condition, the marketing of medicines with slight amendments was not ordinarily permitted by the Drug Control Dept.
 

Other speakers touched on problems involving Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), traditional medicinal systems and the preservation of traditional knowledge. Dr. T. K. Siamalan’s presented Keraleeya Balachikitsa (traditional pediatrics).
 

“We know now that a foetus is not just a mindless mass of flesh, but a highly responsive and evolving human being, capable of receiving, understanding and responding to external stimuli,” he stated. “The foetus has a right to receive positive and enriching feedback or garbha sanskara.”
 

“It has been so stimulating to listen to highly qualified speakers from a wide range of traditional practices in this spiritual and calm setting,” stated Geena, student of the KMCT Ayurveda College.
 

“The fact that the event facilitated exchange between students and scholars of Ayurveda, was of great value,” revealed Lakshmi from Pankajakasthuri, Ayurveda Medical College, Trivandrum. Classmate Balendra especially appreciated the presentation on Yoga and Meditation.