Report on AROGYA (Wellness) Fair, Chennai.

[Guest guest]

From the Dept of AYUSH, Minstry of Health, Govt of India, Newsletter. ------- (AYUSH -> Ayurveda, Yoga & naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy.) Encouraged by the success of Arogya at Delhi, the Department of AYUSH organized the first ever AROGYA Health Fair in the southern region at Chennai from 7th – 9th January, 2005. Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Health & Family Welfare Minister Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss pointed out that the cost factor of the treatment, morbidity and mortality related to communicable diseases and the resultant loss of work hours of the afflicted invidivuals are becoming the main concerns of developing countries in

effective implementation of health programmes. He added that demand for less harmful and natural therapies is gradually growing for improving the overall quality of life and prevention of ill effects of chemical drugs. He emphasized that there is a paradigm shift from pure medical treatment towards integrated medicine. We have to harness this situation with a strategic approach and planning, he emphasized. Hon’ble MOS (Smt Panabaka Lakshmi) highlighted that the heavy cost and adverse effects of chemical-origin-drugs were issues of great concern. The increased life expectancy, sedantary and stressful lifestyle, mechanization of human life, distancing ourselves from nature are factors which have increased the risks for developing chronic, debiolitating and degenerative diseases besides geriatric problems. She thus emphaseised that the prevalent approach of treatment plays more of a symptomatic role than ensuring a holistic cure, as a result of which, demand for less harmful and natural Overwhelming response by very discerning crowd over the three days in Chennai marked the success of Arogya Fair. Five free clinics by known practitioners of the AYUSH systems, coming close on the heels of relief operations to Tsunami affected victims were made use of by more than 700 patients a day. It was heartening to see the confidence the patients were reposing in the age old therapies is gradually growing for improving overall quality systems, who were queing up for consultation long before the formal opening of the venue at 11.00 a.m. every day. More than 50 stalls by ISM & H (Indian System of

Medicine & Homeopathy)drug manufacturing units within the venue gave the visitors & patients ready access to buying prescribed medicines. During the event, guest lectures on common diseases like diabetes and its management, management of epidemics and lifestyle problems, Unani treatment for common diseases, Homoeopathic approach to Cancer and Role of Yoga for Health, to name a few,drew a lot of attention and interested queries. More than 200 listeners were present in every session. Known specialists were drawn from local Siddha Medical College. Shri Jayendra Saraswathi College of Ayurveda, Tamil Nadu Medical Council, Vivekanda Yoga Sansthan, Bangalore, Central Research Institute of Sidha, National Institute of Sidha, Chennai as also some renowned individual experts. The different Councils and Institutes of the Department of AYUSH had made special efforts to put up exhibits of

common home remedies of Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy as also Yoga & Naturopathy in locally prevalent vernacular languages i.e., Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and English. The information panels were appreciated so much by the crowd that they even demanded to have such information on CDs in future. Many were seen to be copying down notes for their use and reference. In the Department’s stall, short films on Unani and Ayurveda Home Remedies in Tamil language found sizeable viewership. A live demonstration of Yoga by experts of the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga as also students of local Yoga institutes was a major attraction. Improptu teaching sessions besides the demonstrations, had to be organized on the great public demand. People were not just satisfied with viewing the Yoga asanas but wanted to learn

the same instantly. Tamil commentary on asanas being performed was useful in connecting with the local population. Many visitors even purchased the Department’s short film made on Yogic practices. The Chief Guest, His Excellency, the Governor released the latest issue of Yogic Prakritik Jiwan Sandesh. Another publication – Health Education for Students was released by Hon’ble Health Minister. The Governor also formally released the Department’s Calendar for the Year 2005. Several visitors enquired about the availability of old books on Naturopathy written by Naturopaths like Dr. K.L. Sharma, Dr. S.J. Singh, Dr. Loyins Kuhne, Dr. Macfadden etc.,. All the National Institutes put up their brochures and free literature in English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam highlighting the courses offered, their fee structure etc. The success of the regional Fair held at Chennai has prompted the Department to examine the feasibility of more such regional fairs in future. "Our ideal is not the spirituality that withdraws from life but the conquest of life by the power of the spirit." - Aurobindo.