It is apt to focus on traditional system of medicine, which for various reasons, has taken the back seat while health care concerns are entertained. India has a very long history of traditional medicine and Ayurvedic practices going back to the Atharva Veda era from which Patanjali drew his medical theories and practices. Added to it is what is known as Unani medical practices, or the medical science that emanated from Greek physicians and then spread over the eastern and western lands through the instrumentality of Arab physicians. Yoga which is part of the Ayurvedic practice has become very popular throughout the world and yoga centres have been opened almost in every big city of Europe, China and Japan. The Governor speaking on the occasion of ongoing AROGYA-Mela, a comprehensive Health Fair on Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homeopathy called it a very encouraging step towards the revival of the traditional systems of medicine. The purpose of the event is to popularize the traditional healthcare systems.
Ours is a traditional society and no society of his category wants to lose its rich heritage. Allopathic science has made incredible development essentially owing to the results obtained from deep and sustained researches in medical science. It would be highly advisable that similar painstaking researches are conducted in traditional medical system, herbal science and medical practices to find how the Homeopathic chapter can be improved and upgraded. The existing institutions of indigenous medical sciences have to be improved and expanded to initiate comprehensive agenda of research and study. Hopefully it will yield positive results. AYUSH needs to be given new orientation and exposure. In many countries of the world, especially in South East and Far Eastern countries, there is a strong wave of conducting deep studies in Indian traditional medical system. Japan is leading this initiative, and Japanese philanthropists organize regular international seminars and symposia on inquiry into indigenous medical practices in Eastern countries. We need to learn from them in our own interests.