Red Cross Foray in to Ayurveda & Yoga

Following the continued success of Post Graduate Diploma Course in Disaster Preparedness and Rehabilitation the Indian Red Cross Society (NHQ) has taken another initiative by launching 50 Hours Certificate Course (3 months Part Time Programme) in Health Promotion through Ayurveda and Yoga on February 2nd, 2010. The initiative is being supported by the Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India and will be conducted in close collaboration with Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Sidda (CCRAS) and Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, New Delhii.

Inaugurating the course Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan, MP, Rajya Sabha said,"The course shall give an opportunity to the participants to complement modern medicine with our traditional healing processes that have existed for centuries in India". She congratulated Dr S P Agarwal, Secretary General, on getting Padma Bhushan and said that now, more than ever before the world looks upon him for more humanitarian contribution. She requested Department of Ayush to tap the areas such as Lahaul & Spiti and hilly terrains of Arunachal Pradesh to grow traditional and rare herbal and medicinal plants which are in great demand

Mrs. S. Jalaja, Secretary, Deptt. of Ayush, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, in her address said, "In today's times stress, fatigue and psychosomatic disorders are common. These also lead to several serious diseases. The modern medical system has realized the need of lifestyle intervention in the effective management of many of these disorders. It has been proven beyond doubt that by practicing Yoga and following Ayurvedic medication people can lead a healthier life and can in fact motivate others to follow healthy life styles. The international world is also embracing these two renowned Indian therapies in a big way". She also said that the IRCS with its 700 branches and over 12 million volunteers/members will take this awareness to the grassroots level.

Dr S P Agarwal, Secretary General IRCS in his address said," Increased life expectancy, affluence, highly competitive environment, high growth rate of population, migration to cities, unhealthy food habits etc have led to an explosion of life style diseases like diabetes, hypertension, obesity, depression. In this context, the ancient science of Ayurveda & Yoga is time tested and aims to correct the very causes which lead to the various chronic diseases. These systems do not suffer from the maladies of modern medicine as well"

He adds, "We expect that the participants will be immensely benefitted from this course for attaining better health, great fitness as well as higher levels of well being. It is hoped that the participants so sensitized would spread the message of great benefits of Ayurveda & Yoga at community level.