Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Dec 19: The two-day Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) Habba got off to a colourful start at Dr Shivaram Karanth Pilikula Nisargadhama here on Saturday December 19, with district in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai inaugurating the event.

Addressing the gathering, Ramanath Rai said, "It is the right time to organize such programmes. These days, faith in the traditionally practiced Indian medicine is increasing among the people. I congratulate the organizers on hosting such a meaningful programme. I wish this two-day event all success."

Health minister U T Khader unveiled the Ayush health card and addressing the gathering he said, "I am happy that Ayush Habba is being organized in Mangaluru. I am sure that this festival will create awareness among the people about the benefits of Ayush. Traditional system of medicine has benefited not only the people of this country but also of the people, and protecting it is our responsibility.

"As I have said earlier, we will give equal importance to all medical practices. For us, patient is important, and the treatment should help him recover. We will support any medical practice, be it alopathy or Ayush, as long as it helps the patient recover. Healthy food practices should be adopted in our day to day life, and it should begin from our home itself. We have become so dependent on the alopathy that we want medicines even for minor reasons. Previously we used to take natural remedies for minor problems. Doctors who have studied should practice Ayush also and not give alopathic medicines alone. Only by practicing and demonstrating the benefits of Ayush will it become popular among people. I wish all success to this two-day Ayush festival," Khader said.

Mangaluru North MLA, Mohiuddin Bava in his presidential address said, "This two-day festival should create awareness among the people about the benefits and importance of Ayush. Previously people had a long life span without needing much medical assistance. But now the food habits have changed and it is creating adverse effect on health. India has rich natural remedies derived from medicinal plants. There is a need for organising such programmes and creating awareness among the people. I congratulate the organisers and wish this event all success."

Various stalls have been set up showcasing 'panchakarma' and other Ayurveda treatments, Ayurvedic and homoeopathic medicines, exhibition of medicinal plants, stalls of homemade food items, exhibition of 12 Indian breeds of cows, and much more.

ZP president Asha Thimmappa Gowda, Dakshina Kannada DHO, Ramakrishna Rao, Ayush director, Dr Subhash K Malkedi, president of Ayush Foundation Dr Asha Jyothi Rai and others were present.