The Covid-19 pandemic has established the strength of the Ayush systems in fighting hitherto unknown dreadful diseases and has created the need to reinvent the use of traditional Ayush systems by carrying out interdisciplinary studies to establish more effective treatment regimens to fight such future threats, said Dr. Munjapara Mahendrabhai Kalubhai, Minister of State for Ayush & Women and Child Development, Govt. of India. Inaugurating the 7 th Siddha Day celebrations yesterday at the Raja Muthiah Mandram, Madurai, the Minister reiterated the commitment of the Ministry of Ayush in extending the required assistance in furthering the growth and development of the Ayush systems globally.
The 7 th Siddha Day was jointly celebrated under the aegis of the Ministry of Ayush by the National Institute of Siddha, Central Council for Research in Siddha in collaboration with the Directorate of Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (DIMH), Govt. of Tamil Nadu. The Siddha Day falls on Ayilyam star of Margazhi month, the star birthday of Sage Agathiyar, the founder of the Siddha System of Medicine.
Speaking on the occasion Smt. Mythili K. Rajendran, Commissioner, DIMH applauded the exemplary services extended by the National Institute of Siddha in academics as well as healthcare delivery. She has also said that NIS has crossed the 1 crore mark in patient visits which is a laudable achievement.
Dr. K. Jagannathan, President, Board of Unani, Siddha & Sowa Rigpa, NCISM informed the gathering that BUSS is taking active steps for the pan India propagation of the Siddha System of Medicine by issuing directions to all the Ayush Medical colleges under NCISM to celebrate the Siddha Day in a befitting manner.
Prof. Dr. R. Meenakumari, Director, NIS & DG (Addl. Charge), CCRS welcomed the gathering. The other dignitaries of the event were Dr. Zaheer Ahmed, Director General, CCRUM and Ms. Kavita Garg, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush. Higher officials from the Ministry of Ayush, Siddha stalwarts, eminent Siddha experts, top officers of IMPCOPS & Tampcol, Govt of Tamil Nadu, scientists and researches from other systems of medicine, Principals, faculty members and students from many Siddha Medical Colleges, faculty members and higher officials from NIS, CCRS and DIMH participated in the event.
As part of the celebrations, many pre-Siddha Day events like Siddha Consultation camps, Exhibition of herbs and herbal preparations, awareness camps for the general public, medical camps for elderly people, group discussions, awareness classes on diet, hygiene and improvement of knowledge for school children, Yoga practice sessions etc. have been being carried out at various places. Many post-Siddha Day events like “Siddha Bike Rally” (Siddha Wellness Rally and Awareness Campaign (SWRAC)) from New Delhi to Kanyakumari, Exhibition on the milestones of Siddha System of Medicine, Conference on Siddha System of Medicine, Awareness camps, Medical camps, publication of books, magazines and journals have also been planned, informed Prof. Dr. R. Meenakumari.