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BOOK REVIEW
Transforming Traditions for Tomorrow’s Health by NS Bhatt, Published by Indian Association for Study of Traditional Asian Medicine, 15, Bachubai Building, Bhantankar Marg, Parel, Mumbai 400012, 2007, pp. 282 + XII, Price Rs. 350/-, US $ 30.
The book embodies primarily the proceedings of a Conclave organized by Indian Association for Study of Traditional Asian Medicine (IASTAM) in Mumbai in 2005 on current status and prospect of Traditional Indian Systems of Medicine, the Ayurveda. The objective of the conclave was to discuss the current status, shortcoming or lacunae and prospects of improvement in the system, including other important aspects namely aging, and the roll of information technology in growth of the system. The main sections in the book are Educational Reforms, Competitive Benchmarks for Profession and Ayurvedic Practice, Applied Research Approaches, Longevity & Aging Challenges and Information Technology as Growth Technology.
The main contributors in the Education section are Prof RH Singh, Vd Vilas Nanal, Prof BL Gaur, Prof BV Sathaye, etc. Several scholars have pointed out the necessity of periodically updating the curriculum as also the text books in the light of recent advances in methods of diagnostic and treatments. The question of uniformity in standard of education in various Ayurvedic teaching Institution has also been highlighted.
The section on profession has contributions by Prof RK Mutatkar, Vd Kusture, Dr SP Sardeshmuksh, Dr SN Parchure, Dr Manoj Nesari, Dr Darshan Shanker, etc. The main point highlighted in these articles centers round the fact that a practitioner of any systems of medicine today has to work in a very competitive situation. There are few regions in India, where various medical practices such Ayurvedic, Unani, Allopathy and Homoeopathy have not reached the people at least in urbanized area. Only Siddha system is more prevalent in the South. Also, it is well known in many parts of India, mainly the rural countryside folk-medicine and sorcery still prevalent. In big towns with facilities of modern diagnostics tools of pathology, radiology, etc., allopathy takes the upper hands and practitioner of traditional systems can establish their credibility only by matching efficiency in their traditional diagnostic and curative methods.
The section on Applied Research Approaches has articles by Dr AB Vaidya, Dr NS Bhatt, Dr Bhushan Patwardhan, Dr SP Mahadik, Dr Mahabaleshwar Hegade, etc. The point, that the amount as well as quality of research work being done in Ayurveda needs the maximum attention was stressed by almost all speakers. The research institutes working under the department of AYUSH (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India) are trying to do research on various aspects of Ayurveda but there is great scope of infusing enthusiasms and objectivity in this area. Also, it is to be critically seen whether the research is being incorporated into curricula and textbook of Ayurveda of Ayurvedic teaching institutions.
The section of Information Technology has contribution by Information Technology as Growth Technology by Dr Medha Dhurandhar, Dr Raj Hirwani, Dr BV Sathaye, etc. It is very obvious that in modern times, IT has become an escapable tool for any activity of life particularly the area of Scientific Research, Technology and developments. All scholars elaborated on this point and it is hearting to know that several scholars of Ayurveda are now in touch with Central Department of Advance Computing (C-DAC). Thus, it can be hoped that not only in the textual knowledge on Ayurveda but also recent researches on its various aspects will have adequate supports of tools of IT. It should improve education, research, profession as well as popularity of Ayurveda and the spread of its numerous favorable aspects in other parts of the worlds.
The section on Longevity and Aging Disorders has articles by Dr J Olshanky, Dr SD Gokhale, Dr SP Kinjawadekar, Vd Suresh Chaturvedi, Prof Ranade Vairaj, Prof PKB Nair, etc. These scholars have given current status of international research on the question of aging and longevity. They all agree on the fact that the machine of human body is so made as to last only for a limited period and cannot be living and functioning indefinitely. It means there is agreement on the point that even if all eventuality (like accidents or injuries) are excluded an a human being is kept under most favorable conditions free from diseases and infection and fed optimum nourishing and compatible diet, organs of the body will gradually wear out; the latter may be delayed but cannot be denied. The question of ethics in implanting is donated or artificial organ has also been discussed. The paramount role of brain and its various functions has also been explained.
The book does impress on the reader the fact that Ayurveda, the ancient and traditional systems of medicine given adequate financial resources and the will of the State of the powers that be, can in India and many parts of the world provide possibly the most efficient, economic and environment and ethos-friendly system of healthcare. An appreciable aspect of the book is the meticulous care taken in editing the articles and the illuminating discussions that followed them. The book also has in the end a few awards lectures and presentations delivered at the Silver Jubilee session of IASTAM; these include presentations by Dr Nityanand, Dr Shivaji Kadam, Vd Prasant Suru, etc. Finally, the printing and production of the book are good and considering the mass of information in the book, price is very reasonable. The book is invaluable for students, teachers, practitioners as well as administrators of healthcare system.
S K Jain
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