Backing the central government’s recent push to research on cow, its products and traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda and Unani, Dr HR Nagendra, chancellor of Swami Vivekanand Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (S-VYASA) said on Thursday, “There is nothing wrong in promoting cow’s urine or alternate medicine in society but we must make this emphasis research-based.”
Nagendra, who heads several central government committees on education and development of yoga, is also the personal yoga consultant of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was invited as the chief guest at the ongoing establishment celebration of Rohilkhand University on Thursday.
“Alternate medicines are far better than conventional medicines but we don’t have any scientific basis to prove this,” Dr Nagendra explained. “We are now focusing on collecting data to provide evidence in favour of alternative medicine.”
In their efforts to develop an evidence base, scholars of S-VYASA have studied young people of 100 districts across the country to test presence of diabetes and their susceptibility to it. The experts also tested these individuals after they included Yoga in their daily routine.
The study was done under the initiative of AYUSH department to counter the rising cases of diabetes in the country. “The results we received are very encouraging. We have found that Yoga is beneficial in both prevention and management of diabetes in young and adults,” informed Dr Nagendra.
{{/usCountry}}The study was done under the initiative of AYUSH department to counter the rising cases of diabetes in the country. “The results we received are very encouraging. We have found that Yoga is beneficial in both prevention and management of diabetes in young and adults,” informed Dr Nagendra.
{{/usCountry}}The government was now trying to start a similar sampling for cancer in the country, he added.
To cater to these patients, S-VYASA has also start diploma course for yoga trainers. These trainers will be deployed at AYUSH clinics.
A mechanical engineer himself, with a stint at the National Aeronautics and Space Organisation (NASA), Nagendra also expressed concern over the present state of engineering education in the country. “There is far more emphasis on theory than practical study in our country. In fact, this is true for all professional fields. There is a need to change our education system,” he said.