Ayurveda not just grandma’s remedies, say practitioners

Ayurveda is not just about grandma's remedies; it is a science of life, and is purely, since the time of rishi munis, based on science, say vaids or ayurvedic doctors who were present for a three-day national meet on ayurveda, held for the first time in India, at the Swaminarayan Gurukul Vishwavidya Pratishthanam (SGVP), Charodi.

This meet is organised by members of the Active Ayurvedists Organisation (AAO) international trust, Ahmedabad. Besides imbibing in young ayurvedic practitioners and students importance of staying loyal to the subject they study, this  meet is also aimed at letting the young generation know that with patience and perseverance this science can help achieve satisfaction and success, professionally and personally.

The meet will conclude on December 18, when an Ayurved Mahashranyatra would be carried out. This will include a ride of the seven granths of Ayurveda, wrapped in gold and silver paper and cloth, on elephants. This will be followed by a maha yagya at Memnagar Swaminarayan Gurukul, wherein 111 kgs of different ayurvedic medicines will be used.

The meet also highlighted innovative forms of medicines available now. For instance, the sitopaladi churna is now available in candy form while body oils come as lotions.

Vaid Tapan Kumar
Known to be a multi-dimensional master of ayurveda and MD in cardiology, Vaid Kumar believes that the current education system is unable to create the right ambience for students of ayurveda. He said, "The system fails to create an ambience which could help to deepen faith and loyalty in the subject."

Vaid B Joshi
"In a recent survey it was found that, if given a choice,  nearly 96% of the people would prefer to get cured with ayurvedic medicine. However, they lacked trust in the same. Hence this national meet is being held to create awareness among students and practitioners, first about the benefits of ayurveda which will then pass on to the general public", he said.

Vaid Vinay Vora
Practising both in India and Switzerland, Vaid Vora claims that people's trust in ayurvedic is low owing to lack of awareness about vaids and benefits of medicines. "Currently, nobody knows about authentic and well qualified vaids of ayurveda as they are not identified. This national meet is also aimed towards doing the same. for instance, an ayurvedic spa can only offer a royal treatment to a body, but only vaids can give a properly diagnosed cure of a disease", he said. Vaids can provide cure through therapeutic procedures based on principles of aryuveda, he said.

Student Jinal Vora
"With 88% in 12th science I did have a chance of bagging a seat at the BJ Medical College. However, because both my parents are ayurvedic doctors, I preferred to choose the same. Learning this science of life helps one understand the nature and environment we live in today. It might look complex initially, but the deeper you go, it gets simplified."

Student Jigar Shah
"Despite getting entry into MBBS and Dental, ayurveda was my first choice, as I feel that allopathic has a lot of limitations. By prescribing ayurvedic medicines to patients, we are able to cure not just the disease, but the make the person relaxed and solve most of his/her mental, physical and emotional problems."