Alternative system of medicine gaining ground

New Delhi: After the United Nations last year declared June 21 the International Day of Yoga, alternative system of medicine is gaining ground in India. “But there is a need to regulate it,” said Anil Kumar Ganeriwala, joint secretary in the Ayush Ministry.

Recently, a project collaboration agreement (PCA) titled ‘Cooperation on promoting the quality, safety and effectiveness of service provision in traditional and complementary medicine between World Health Organisation and Ayush, India, 2016-2020’ was signed in New Delhi. The ministry aims to support the World Health Organisation (WHO) and contribute to the global promotion of traditional Indian systems of medicine.

Stating that the ministry wanted to take ayurveda and related systems across the world, the joint secretary said, “When the WHO sets standards for traditional Indian medicine, the world will adhere to them.”

Currently, there are no standards or protocols for regulating training in yoga and practice in ayurveda, unani and panchkarma. But once the WHO parameters come into place, these will have to be practised according to the rules. (Generally, people start practicing yoga by reading books and even begin imparting training to others!).

To ensure the credibility of knowledge and skills of yoga experts and professionals, a scheme for voluntary certification was launched last year in collaboration with the Quality Control of India.

The programme aims to promote ‘authentic’ yoga as a preventive, rehabilitative and health-promoting drugless therapy. It seeks to certify the competence level of yoga professionals, which would help their operations within and outside India.

Keen to promote yoga globally, the government has included short-term yoga courses in the list of permissible activities for grant of tourist visa and e-tourist visa. An e-tourist visa may now also be issued for short-term medical treatment under Indian system of medicine.

SCIENCE OF SELF TRANSFORMATION:

Spiritual reformer and founder of Isha Foundation, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, will lead the celebrations at the circle in front of the glass-fronted UN headquarters in New York. He will be the lead speaker at the event organised jointly by India’s UN Permanent Mission and the UN Department of Public Information.

In an interview to a national daily, Sadhguru said: “It’s great for the representatives of many nations at the UN to understand yoga as a science of self transformation. It’s largely understood, but there’s still confusion that it is an Indian thing. I want to make it clear that it is not. It’s a science — of inner well-being. You don’t need to be an Indian to understand or practice it better.”

France:

The French embassy in New Delhi has organised a ‘Get Into Paws Mode’, which is being promoted as a unique take on yoga. Along with performing yoga, participants will also engage with the French language. Adding a French touch, the French Institute will present asanas (postures) named after animals along side their French names.

Germany:

More than 3 million Germans do yoga on a regular basis according to Germany’s Yoga Teacher’s Association. The first yoga studio was opened in Berlin in 1937, but the practice became a fad in the 1960s and 70s when youngsters began seeking transcendental experiences.

United States:

The number of Americans practicing yoga has been increasing by the day. A whopping 20.4 million people reportedly practice yoga in the United States. Reports suggest that some yoga classes are so overcrowded that peace-seeking yogis are getting into fights for mat space!

United Kingdom:

The city of London will mark the day with a series of events. Programmes were held at the Potters Fields Park, near the Iconic Tower Bridge. One of the key events will be held on the 73rd floor of The Shard, London’s famous skyscraper and the tallest building in the country.

Australia:

The Sydney-based International Yoga Teachers Association is one of the country’s oldest yoga-training bodies. It was founded in 1967 by Roma Blair, a woman credited for bringing yoga into the lounge room of thousands of residents who turned to this art.

China:

China has wholeheartedly extended its support to India on yoga. In November 2014, it supported India’s bid at the UN to mark June 21 as World Yoga Day. Nine cities will officially observe the yoga week in cooperation with the Consulate General of India in Shanghai.

Kenya:

The Africa Yoga Project started by Paige Elenson in 2007 in Nairobi, Kenya, teaches yoga to people across 10 African countries including South Africa, Sierra Leone, Rawanda and Uganda. The aim is to help tackle stress, especially among unemployed youth in the region.