February 1st-2nd, 2019
Amritapuri, Kollam
‘Prajnanam 2019’, a two-day national seminar on Ayurvedic solutions for infertility management was held between February 1st and 2nd at Mata Amritanandamayi Math, Amritapuri. Addressing infertility issues in both men and women, the event attracted around 1200 delegates from different parts of the country and facilitated the presentation of hundreds of research and scientific papers.
The seminar was inaugurated by Hon. Kerala Governor (Retd.) Justice P. Sadasivam at Mata Amritanandamayi Math, Amritapuri, Kollam. During his inaugural address, the governor observed that the nation lacks effective treatment for infertility in general and the situation called for the involvement of other medical disciplines including Ayurveda. He emphasized the importance of having more clinical research activities in order to make Ayurveda the first choice for infertility management.
While analyzing the benefits of Ayurveda in comparison with other medical disciplines, he made a critical observation that only Ayurveda equips the body with better health before commencing the treatment for infertility. It is equally important to create infertility awareness along with treatment, he added. While concluding his speech, the governor acclaimed Amrita School of Ayurveda for its contribution in the field of research, including infertility management.
The inaugural function was presided over by Swami Purnamritanandapuri, general secretary of Mata Amritanandamayi Math. During his blessing speech, he conveyed Amma’s message which stressed the need to maintain a clean heart in order to overcome mental tension. Filling our minds with noble thoughts is the way to achieve mental peace, he added. The welcome speech was given by Brahmachari Sankara Chaitanya, Medical Director, Amrita school of Ayurveda.
The chief guest was Dr. Mithali Mukherjee, a Senior Principal Scientist at the CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology with notable achievement in the field of human genomics and personalized medicine. She is best known for coining the term “Ayurgenomics”, which is an innovative study that blends the principles of Ayurveda- the traditional Indian system of medicine- with genomics. The keynote address on female infertility was delivered by Dr. Sujata Kadam, Dean, Academics at All India Institute of Ayurveda. Dr. Sucarita L., a well-known clinician and Ayurveda Guru recognized by Rashtreeya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth, Govt. of India, spoke about the etiopathological aspects of Female infertility. Dr. Asmabi shared the clinical experiences based on more than 200 documented cases. Dr. Mamtha KV, Professor and HOD, Department of Prasoothi Tantra, SDM Ayurveda College, Udupi, delivered a lecture on Ayurveda Management of female infertility.
Recent advancements in the modern system of medicine were explained by Dr. Jyothi R Pillai, Asst. Professor, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Cochin. There were 5 parallel sessions for paper presentations at different venues and around 160 scientific posters were exhibited in the seminar. Expert clinicians in the field of infertility interacted with delegates and rectified their doubts. The first day of the seminar was concluded with Amma’s bhajans, followed by cultural events. Selected abstracts of the presented papers were published in a souvenir, after the peer review process.
The second day was exclusively devoted to male infertility. Dr. MR Vasudevan Nampoothiri, Principal, Amrita School of Ayurveda, delivered the keynote address. This was followed by a talk by Dr. Madhava Diggavi, Professor, Taranath Govt. Ayurveda Medical College, Bellary, Karnataka, about male infertility, and Nidana Pancaka. Dr. Prakash Mangalassery, Associate professor, VPSV Ayurveda College, Kottakkal, shared his clinical experience. The experts of the allopathic medical system, Dr. Pramodu and Dr. Raju R. Nair also shared their views.
‘Ashtanga Hridayam Parayana’ Competition on Rasayana and Vajeekarana was held to promote the traditional way of Ayurvedic learning. The program concluded with the valedictory function presided over by Dr. Usha Kumari, Directorate of Ayurveda Medical Education, Govt. of Kerala, who said that Amrita school of Ayurveda is among the most reputed institutions of Ayurveda Medical education in the state.
Overall, the event turned out to be a resounding success, as observed by the delegates. Brahmachari Sankara Chaitanya, Medical Director, Amrita School of Ayurveda, said that the blessing of Mata Amritanandamayi Devi made this seminar a grand success. Dr. Ananth Ram Sharma and Dr. James Chacko were the organizing secretaries of ‘Prajnanam 2019’.
