Mangaluru: Minister for Forests, Environment and Ecology, B Ramanth Rai inaugurated AYUSH Habba 2015 by lighting the traditional lamp at Dr Shivram Karanth Nisargadhama, Pilikula here, on December 19.
Speaking on the occasion, Ramanth Rai said, “In the time when people have forgotten the importance of simple remedies from nature, it is meaningful for AYUSH Habba to be celebrated. I congratulate AYUSH foundation for organizing this two day festival in our district.”
UT Khader, the Minister for Health and Family Welfare, launched ‘AYUSH Arogya Health Card’. The health cards were distributed free of cost to all visitors and can be used to avail concessions at select AYUSH hospitals in the district. Khader said that AYUSH Habba should spread awareness to people on the importance of preventive medicine. “Our ancestors have developed the knowledge of AYUSH from their experience and the entire world can benefit from this. It is our duty to preserve this ancient knowledge by practicing it,” he said.
“People have become careless about their health. It is difficult for a grown up person with diabetes to change his food habits and reduce sugar intake, when all he has done in his life is eat sweets,” Khader joked, stressing the need for practicing healthy food habits from childhood. He called upon practitioners of allopathy and AYUSH to come to together and treat patients.
“Allopathy kills the disease causing bacteria whereas AYUSH develops the body’s immunity required to fight against the disease,” he added. He also said that instead of taking supplements, one could just get the required nutrients at a lesser cost by simply changing one’s food habits. Khader further said that representatives from Belgium and Mauritius had approached him to send practitioners of AYUSH to their country so that they could start AYUSH colleges and spread the knowledge. “I have asked them to sign a MoU with the Government of India and as a Minister of Health and Family Welfare, I will do everything possible to make it a reality,” he said.
Director of the Department of AYUSH, Subash K Malkede launched the AYUSH card for farmers, which can be utilized by them to seek information regarding planting and production of herbal AYUSH plants. “We plan to organize such programmes in other districts as well,” he said.
Dr Devdas, District AYUSH Officer submitted a memorandum to UT Khader seeking Rs 1 crore for the development of AYUSH. MLA Moideen Bava and President of ZP, Asha Thimappa Gowda also spoke on the occasion. President of AYUSH Habba, Dr Asha Jyothi Rai delivered the vote of thanks.
People gathered in huge numbers to witness the AYUSH Habba. AYUSH plants and food items were on display. Free health checkups, food court, handicrafts, Home Remedies, Sale of AYUSH medicines are the other attractions at the festival.
‘AYUSH Habba 2015’ will conclude on December 20 and the concluding ceremony will be presided by MP Naleen Kumar Kateel. District Health Officer, Dr Ramakrishna Rao and others were also present.