28th Feburary 2020(IPR) Gangtok

A two days International Workshop on Preservation and Promotion of Sowa Rigpa in Asia under the direction of Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India organised by Regional Ayurveda Research Institute in association with Namgyal Institute Of Tibetology, Deorali, Gangtok was held at Chintan Bhawan today.

The inaugural session was presided by Dr. Mani Kumar Sharma Hon’ble Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Department of Social Justice & Welfare, Government of Sikkim along with Shri Lok Nath Sharma Hon’ble Minister for Animal Husbandry & VS, Agriculture, IPR, P&R, Government of Sikkim, Prof Anup Thakar Vice Chancellor, Gujarat Ayurved University & Director IPGTRA, Prof Vd. K.S. Dhiman Director General CCRAS, New Delhi, Shri Roshan Jaggi Joint Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, Shri Tashi Densapa Director, Namgyal Institute Tibetology, Dr. Shriprakash Incharge RARI, Gangtok, Amchis, Officials, Teachers and students of Namgyal Institute Of Tibetology and distinguished guest from Nepal, Mongolia were present.

The Chief Guest said that it is his proud privilege to be in the August assembly on this auspicious occasion of the International Workshop on Preservation and Promotion of Sowa Rigpa. He focused on his practical experiences information and knowledge in the number of key issues of Sowa-Rigpa including information of regulation, use of Sowa Rigpa in the national healthcare system and its affordability, accessibility and availability. He said that there should be a standard medication supported by quality, continuous supply of medicine which is possible simply because this Sowa Rigpa, Ayurveda has been an organised system for thousand of years with research, publication, conferences, interaction, workshop and many other scientific activities. He stated that Government of India has also embarked on this alternative system of medicine
Sowa-Ringpa, oldest system of the medical boon to contribute into global health, protection,prevention, promotion and scientific validation for Sowa-Rigpa practising Institution for education findings on Sowa-Rigpa to develop a close link between Sowa-Rigpa Institution of various Countries.
He further said the whole issue is about scientific research data and as a scientific person he suggested that the primary data, documentation to be preserved for more usable standard quality medicines.
The Chief Guest said that Sikkim has a very favourable climatic condition for growing herbal medicinal plants which needs to be given more impetus and in this regard an expected support from AYUSH Ministry is needed so that the system of Sowa Rigpa can be useful to the fullest potential for the benefit of the people not from the commercial side but first for the need and demand side of local people.

Hon'ble Minister Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Shri Lok Nath Sharma in his short address welcomed and congratulated the delegates for their participation in International Workshop on Preservation and Promotion of of Sowa Rigpa in Asia held in the State of Sikkim. Minister Sharma in his address mentioned that the Sikkim has been declared as the Organic State of India and and the new government under the leadership of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Sikkim Shri P.S.Tamang envisioned the concept of Green Economy to promote and preserve the global marketing of abundantly available medicinal raw materials with value addition.
Further he proposed for the establishment of Medicinal Plant Industry-cum-Pharmacy Unit and AYUSH Research Centre in the State of Sikkim to ensure optimum benefits to the farmers.

Shri Roshan Jaggi expresses his deep gratitude to the Government of Sikkim for these two days workshop and said that the presence of two Ministers reflects the Government attachment of system of healthcare.
He said that workshop will focus on the pros and cons and how to strengthen the system in order to bring a strong scientific footing so that it develops as a real science and contribute towards healthcare framework of the country. He stated that he expected a good outcome of two days of deliberations and recommendations which will come back to Ministry so that some decisions will be take on the basis of recommendation.
He said that Government of India in its wisdom decided to give patronage, develop it and recently the Union Cabinet A National Level Of Institute will be establish where strengthening of education, step to regulate the practise system and to have the fundamental research will be given as a prime importance.
He further said that the country needs to propogate and develop the Ayurvedic including Sowa Rigpa because these system has the capacity to give the people of this country a solution to the emerging healthcare challenges where people are shifting to natural medicines instead of chemical medicines.
He shared that the Government of India has taken series of steps in these four to five years one of the step includes the strengthening the research like Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic likewise similar council for homeopathy etc so that whatever the medical intervention develops are supported by facts and figures and to develop a robust mechanism where standards and quality of drug can be monitored and ensured.

Earlier there was a Release Of Council’s Publication by Dignataties:
1. Select Flora of Medicinal Importance in Sowa Rigoa and Ayurveda
2. Pharmacology Research and Safety Studies ( Glimpses Of CCRAS Contributions Vol VI)
3 Health Related Demography in Ahmadabad District under Swasthya Rakshan Programme
4. Sanskrit & Tibetan version of AstangHridya Of Vagbhata three volumes.

Later memento was presented to Dr. Mani Kumar Sharma and Shri Roshan Jaggi by Prof. K.S. Dhiman
Prof Anup Thakar and Prof K.S. Dhiman were also accorded with a memento by Dr. Shriprakash.

Dr. Anup Thakar earlier recited the message of Hon’ble Union Minister Of AYUSH of India Shri Panda Naik ji.

The inaugural session was formally carried forward with a technical session along with an exhibition.