Bhopal. Higher Education, Technical Education and AYUSH Minister Inder Singh Parmar on Sunday attended the closing ceremony of the two-day Pre-Lokmanthan International Conference organized on the topic “Herbal Treatment Systems Prevalent in Oral Tradition: Conservation, Promotion and Action Plan” at the Avtar Bhawan of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya in Bhopal and expressed his views on the importance of traditional and natural treatment methods. Minister Shri Parmar said that in today’s scenario, traditional medicines are facing a new challenge. Despite direct evidence of indigenous treatment methods by tribal Vaidyas, there is a need to establish credibility in health services. Shri Parmar said that even a person from rural background knows the essential and important qualities of plants and trees and despite direct evidence, he does not get recognition.
AYUSH Minister Shri Parmar said that we are currently also following this traditional knowledge which has been going on for generations. Shri Parmar said that our ancestors have established traditional methods by doing research, but today the scientific approach of that time has disappeared, which needs re-research and research. Shri Parmar said that scientific approach is still present in the traditions of the country. Traditional pathy is the best. Today people have become dependent on modern medical system, whereas traditional pathy has its own importance. Shri Parmar talked about documenting traditional pathy. Shri Parmar described Indian traditional knowledge as capital and said that it is ingrained in the Indian society. Shri Parmar said that there is a need to recognize tribal Vaidyas and their medicines.
On this occasion, Minister Shri Parmar visited the stalls of all the traditional doctors and Vaidyas from across the country and also got information about medicines from them.
While chairing the program, Pragya Pravah member Shri Prafull Kelkar said that the Government of India is currently focusing on health through Ayushman Bharat and One Health Mission, this is a new step.
Museum Director Dr. Amitabh Pandey said that tribal communities consider forests as their life. In developing countries where one-third of the population does not have access to essential medicines, these safe, effective traditional medicines can become an important source of promoting health care as an alternative measure.
It is noteworthy that the Pre-Lokmanthan International Conference was organized jointly by Pragya Pravah and Anthropos India Foundation in collaboration with Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication and Dattopant Thengadi Research Institute.
The purpose of organizing this conference is to highlight the importance of traditional, natural treatment methods and herbal medicine in India. To explore the role of traditional healers in health care, especially in tribal communities, to address the challenges they face and to discuss the impact of climate change on biodiversity and herbal treatment. Additionally, it aims to promote tribal folk medicine for support and recognition on policy making for herbal healers across the country. The program has the participation of traditional healing groups from various communities across the country.
An action plan will also be prepared to support non-codified herbal practitioners across the country through initiatives such as ‘Healers Hut’ at the Panchayat level, herbal medicine garden, scholarships. It will also be helpful in shaping a comprehensive action plan for the preservation and promotion of tribal herbal treatment in India.
On this occasion, National Convenor of Pragya Pravah, eminent speaker and thinker Shri J. Nandkumar, Registrar of MCU Prof. Dr. Avinash Vajpayee, Dean (Academics), Prof. (Dr.) P. Sasikala, various officials of Pragya Pravah Institute, officials of associate institutes and conference convenor Dr. Sunita Reddy along with various traditional Vaidyas, researchers and subject experts from across the country were present. Program coordinator Dr. Sudipa Roy expressed gratitude.
