The World Ayurveda Foundation organized the 6th World Ayurveda Congress in New Delhi from November 6-9, 2014, with the overarching theme of ‘Health Challenges and Ayurveda.’ 4000 delegates from around the world congregated to discuss various topics on Ayurveda with the goal of making it an integral part of the healthcare system.
In his valedictory address, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the ways we can bring acceptance and recognition for Ayurveda as a complete healthcare system adoptable in countries across the world. Here are 9 points excerpted from his speech in Hindi that can provide direction and inspiration to Ayurveda and its practitioners.
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Can People Rely on Ayurvedic treatment?
The biggest challenge for the people seeking Ayurvedic healing is to find Ayurvedic doctors who offer 100% Ayurvedic treatment. There is a pervasive belief that they cannot heal patients with just Ayurvedic therapies. Rather, they ask patients to start with allopathic medicines for the first three days and Ayurvedic treatment can be taken care of in successive stages. I feel this limiting belief is the biggest challenge for Ayurveda. If these Ayurvedic doctors are not committed, devoted or confident about Ayurveda’s ability to heal, then how can patients trust Ayurveda?
Practitioners Need to Show Confidence in Ayurveda
I’m reminded of the customer in a restaurant who asked to see the owner. He was told that the owner eating in the restaurant across the street. Who would then eat in this restaurant? They can’t win the trust of others, who don’t believe in themselves and their traditions. The crisis is not “Ayurveda”, but its practitioners. I don’t know how you feel about this discussion – pleasant or bitter. But if it is bitter, then I think that I am referring the matter exactly according to the norms of Ayurveda because in Ayurveda what tastes bitter at first turns sweet ultimately.
The Biggest Challenge Facing Ayurveda Today
I have been meeting with many people regarding this challenge of Ayurveda. Ayurveda is not a field to be limited to a certified doctor. Our ancestors have made health, a part of our life. Today we have outsourced our health and lifestyle. Those days, health was not outsourced. It was part of lifestyle and due to that every person, every family was aware about wellness of body. If any problem would arise, people were aware of how to resolve it. Even today you must be feeling that experience.
When travelling in a train or bus we may have seen another passenger falls sick. One or more fellow passengers might come over and offer something to help them feel better, whether or not he or she is a doctor or Ayurveda specialist. Because Ayurveda has been a natural practice in India we have some knowledge of it. Gradually however, we outsourced the complete health sector. If any medical problem crops up, we have to take advice and consultation and we have to go according to prescription. If that treatment is successful, fine; otherwise we go to other practitioner…we change the consultancy.
How to Bring Back the Faith in Ayurveda
The solution to bringing faith to Ayurveda is that we should not compromise our core sector. We should be 100% committed to what we do, only then we will start seeing the results. People are feeling the need for a more holistic approach to their health, and returning to their roots, be it naturopathy or Ayurveda, diet-control or homeopathy. Ayurveda offers holistic healing from the root to the fruit; every aspect offers healthy solutions. Our ancestors must have had a microscopic insight into Ayurveda’s nature, and powerful ability to heal. How do we keep that great resource in modern times is the second challenge to us. The least we could do is to translate the exalted resource in the language this world understands. This encourages Ayurvedic therapies to be researched and proven efficacious.
Ayurvedic Studies for International Journals
Third point regards research articles published in international science magazines. Can we encourage these journals to publish Ayurvedic studies? With even 10-20% of a journal devoted to Ayurvedic research the modern medical world would eventually take note and possibly stimulate more research and respect for Ayurveda.
Focus on Ayurvedic Herbal Products
We can also focus on improving the quality of our Ayurvedic herbal products. While many of the ancient herbs described in the original texts are no longer extant, there are many exciting ideas being developed for effective herbal products. In Gujarat we have built a Pavak-Van — a garden landscaped in the shape of the human body. Relevant plants and trees have been planted in accordance to the parts of human body which is treated by that particular type of herb. If it’s the heart, then the plants related to the cure of heart diseases have been planted there. When Ayurvedic students tour the gardens they learn about the particulars of diseases and their curative medicinal plants.
How Vedic Philosophy Encourages Environmentalism
Our Vedic Shastras noted that each tree, plant and animal is related to a God or Goddess. This view encourages environmentalism as well, making it easier to remember the value of each plant and tree. Ayurveda was a part of the common people and they trusted Ayurveda because of its divine connection.
Ayurveda as a Profession and Career
Another issue for today’s students is they do not see how they can have a good economic life as an Ayurvedic doctor or herb grower. Fortunately we can be encouraged by similar events in our history. We were also quick to ignore yoga asanas which originated in India. That is, until we saw how widespread and profitable it has become in the West. Now multinational companies offer yoga in their stress –management classes. Why has the West put such faith in yoga? Because they have experienced their depression, anxiety, and physical limitations are relieved from practicing these poses. Why wait for Ayurveda to become as popular abroad before we again believe in it?
Ayurveda vs Allopathy
Another challenge is to see Ayurveda and Alloapthy as complimentary rather than the current ‘root-cause’ vs “symptomatic relief’ argument. We hear many stories of allopathic doctors not finding ways to cure their own family, are turning to Ayurveda and other holistic practices. Faith comes from proof. But if Vaidyas do not have enough faith to even offer Ayurvedic remedies, how will anyone experience their miraculous healing powers? Embracing the best treatment for the situation will bring more respect for both systems, which in turn boosts Ayurveda to the level it deserves.
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I was a sufferer of lupus from South Africa…i had treatment in India and have excellent results..i want to help fellow lupus sufferers..how can ayurvedic medicines be imported into SA from India ? I am trying to help people who are suffering..i tried importing medication but Customs will not allow. Why ? When we are helping people get better ??
excellent. i appreciate the PM for taking this fwd in his eloquent style
Best activity in india
Excellent & educative speech by NaMo. Ayurveda is the original health care system ever known to man. All others came later drawing from the principles of Ayurveda. Ayurveda has to re-emerge as the main medical care system in India once again.
This website is doing wonderful work, not only to people related to Ayurveda but for whole mankind.
Excellent KEEP GOING
Ayurveda is Veda….Veda is complete knowledge….There is no other wisdom beyond Veda…
Ayurveda is a holistic science for the well-being of humanity
Correct understanding of the basic principles will go a long way in enhancing the quality of our life, health and well-being
A very good speech by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on Ayurveda. In fact, Allopathic is only a recent medical remedy, where as Ayurveda has been in existance for more than 1000 years. Allopathy has become a racket and fleecing the people. Government should encourage Ayurvedic Medical Colleges and should offer subsidy to Ayurveda Units.
Excellent, wonderful.. As usual I feel proud when I say Narendra Modi is our Prime Minister.. He is facing obstacles due to corruption.. it takes time to remove the ill practices in politics, these have been created from last 60 years how people can say Modi should change all in just one year..
Mr. PM you have hit the nail on the head sir,by accurately assessing the situation prevailing now, hats off to you. Ayurvedic health care needs a complete revamping beginning with the bringing out good practitioner in which, I have no hesitation in stating that AYUSH has not been very successful. My daughter is an Ayurvedic doctor doing her MD and I know it second hand. This herculean task of revamping the Ayurvedic health care which focuses on prevention, is the need of India and the world community. We look up to your inspirational, insightful leader ship to achieve this task. May god bless you with the will and strength realize all your visions. Thank you sir,
Good beginning for new initiators
I have gone for 5 Ayurveda treatments for chronic problems and experienced total cure from these w/o any allopathic medicines.
problems cured:
Sinusitis -long standing.
Bleeding piles
Sleep disturbance
moderate level constipation
Need I formation on:
Ayurvedic treatment for
a)memory degeneration?
b) loss of sleep
c) lack of confidence
Well, ayurveda is a complete science in itself .
Dincharya and ritucharya are very important aspects of ayurveda . Simply means a life of discipline in the spirit of purushrath chatushtay .. that’s dharma, artha, kama and moksha. . To do away with physical and mental disabilities.
Pragyapradh is one more significant aspect of ayurveda .
Thanks to PM for highlighting the significance of ayurveda.
Hope, more and more articals on Ayurveda will appear. I wish success.
Dear Renu,
can you kindly let us know the name and place of the ayurvedic doctor who treated the mentioned ailments.
Ayurved was researched and developed in an age when the life style and food habits of people were very different. Ayurvedic medicines must be reproved in the light of modern lifestyles and food habits. Ayurvedic manufacturers today rely on ancient texts which are full of exaggerations regarding efficacy of formulations mentioned therein. They feel no need for research in this regard. Also, there is no quality control on ayurvedic medicines. Till recently, the expiry date of ayurvedic medicines was not mentioned. It is well known to ayurvedic practitioners that medicines made of herbal powders and juices have a short shelf life and lose their efficacy with time. But the retailers claim that ayurvedic medicines never lose their efficacy and there is no need for an expiry date just to sell their out dated products. No wonder these medicines do not benefit the sick to the extent expected or claimed. In olden times, there were no retailers and the vaid prepared his medicines from fresh herbs for maximum effect. Certain ayurvedic medicines contain heavy metals in quantities that can be injurious to the liver and kidneys. It is essential for the government to introduce strict quality control on ayurvedic manufacturers like there is on allopathic medicines. Government should allocate funds for research on ayurvedic medicines so that their efficacy and dosage in modern context could be determined. There is no mention of what the government plans to do to promote ayurved in the PM’s speech.
Well said by Mr. Modi. His efforts for belief in Ayurveda , are commendable. What are Home Remedies ? —-nothing but Ayurveda .
There is need to introduce more transparency for establishing trust and comfort for using Ayurveda medicines. The labels on bottles and cartons must carry the particulars of ingredients, dosages, date of packaging, date of expiry, manufacturers name, address, web site, contact numbers, warnings etc, such a transparency has made Allopathic medicines trust worthy and comfortable to use.
Respected Narendra Modi Esq, Yes, Ayurveda and on par Homeopathy and also Simple Home made remedies must be promoted. Instead of investing in high tech Giant hospitals but start *DISEASE PREVENTIVE HEALTH CENTERS* in all villages, towns and cities. Even in education basic health at home must be a mandatory subject along with moral education. Mantha V Sharma, Minjur, Near Chennai.
Ayurveda is very good but people are expecting instant results. Not that Aloapthy gives very fast results. One has to wait for results. I am practicing Sujok therapy and find it offers excellent results in reducing pain in few seconds – say 120 seconds. Why not combine it for instant relief followed by Yoga or Ayurveda! Even a student of 6th or seventh standard can learn and practice it.
So also regarding weakness, seven Mung seeds on Yin side of hand and six Mung danas on Yang side of any hand boost up energy. It costs practically nothing.
Lions Clubs International is demonstrating this in MLA Hostel canteen to everyone since 10th August 2015. We are grateful to our Maharashtra Finance Minister to have permitted us to do so and bring awareness in public and MLAs.
We give treatment to over 100 patients everyday. Its a Free Service of the Lions Clubs International. Luthria
In Ayurveda, pulse reading is the greatest asset. It can tell everything about ailment. I may narrate my personal experience. In 1970, I suffered from acute low blood pressure at Chandigarh. I went to PGI and the doctor gave me some pills. I had been taking the medicine for one year but it was like suppressing the problem temporarily. If I forgot to take the pill on a day, the problem recurred. Finally, a friend of mine took me to Shastri Harinder Datt ji, principal, Government Ayurvedic Cpllege, Patiala. I did not tell him anything. He felt may pulse and told me everything about the trouble and even range of B.P. I was amazed. I asked about the medicine. He felt my pulse again, concentrated upon it for about 20 seconds and said, “You do not need any medicine. You eat too much of Sarson ka saag (mustard leaves preparation), it does not suit you now, leave it. Secondly, tea which you have started taking from about 5 years past, does not suit you, leave that too and do not take curd for a month.” I came back, followed his instructions and ever since there has been no recurrence of the problem. A few months later, I suffered from piles and there had been bleeding in stool for about 18 days. I again ran to Shastri ji. He felt the pulse and told that the system was all right and that was a local problem. He gave me some powder and told to take half of that mixed in churned curd and water on that day and the other half the next day and I never had that trouble again. Allopathic medicines suppress the trouble temporarily but do not cure that. These medicines have side effects too. It is wiser to switch to Ayurveda but the vaids should be well trained in pulse reading.
I am agree with M.S. Gusain,N D Bhagvan and Balraj Sagar, there is a quality control in Ayurvedic Medicines , but lots of work is required to update it. No mass production was there before only Vaidyas were preparing it. Nadi chikitsa is excellent ,but it needs lots of experience .