Jiva Ayurveda seeks global recognition to Indian system of medicine
New Delhi, July 13 : Jiva Ayurveda, which runs 80 clinics and hospitals across India, has come out with diagnostic protocols in a bid to get global recognition to the ancient Indian system of medicine. The protocols will be launched on Monday.
"The ayurveda industry has long been wanting a set of protocols to transform the age-old healing tradition into a data and evidence driven system of medicine for wider acceptance in the world," Jiva Ayurveda Director Madhusudan Chauhan told IANS.
Jiva Ayurveda, which created the protocols after analyses of consultation records of two lakh patients its doctors treated over the last decade, has concluded that the practice can be standardized but not treatment as it is personalized.
Unlike allopathy, ayurveda is fundamentally a personalized system of medicine. "Ayurveda is a far more evolved science. Same medicines for same symptoms do not work here. Personalized medicine based on genomics and the 'systems view' of human health is only now coming into fashion in allopathy, while ayurveda is built around these very concepts," he said.
Yet, ayurveda is not accepted as a medical science in many countries as the scientific community asks for data and evidence -- on what basis are the medicines given and how is their effect proven? Chauhan said ayurveda did not have this data and evidence.
Set up in 1992 with the head office in Faridabad, Jiva Ayurveda has more than 350 doctors and 400 healthcare professionals. It has been collating data since 2009 for the purpose of evolving protocols.
"Four years ago, Jiva began a huge data analytics project, reviewing the consultation records of two lakh patients by using artificial intelligence, machine learning and computer modelling. The protocols are now ready," he said.
The protocols and the decision support system built over them will actively help ayurveda practitioners through the entire process of consultation that incorporates patients answers. The system assigns weightage to various factors and arrives at an authoritative diagnosis.
It also suggests diagnostic clues that the doctor may have missed which may lead to a possible different line of treatment.
The protocols, which have been run successfully on 20,000 patients so far, will create a wealth of data that will be validated by domestic and international institutes and universities which will eventually go on to validate ayurveda as a legitimate science of treatment.
"It's a long battle but at least the protocols will open the gates. I believe it will take seven to eight years before ayurveda gets its due recognition. Ayurveda can be India's biggest contribution to the world in this century," said Chauhan.
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Kathak legend Kumudini Lakhia passes away
Ahmedabad, Apr 12 (PTI): Eminent Kathak exponent and choreographer Kumudini Lakhia passed away at her residence in Ahmedabad on Saturday at the age of 95 due to an age-related ailment.
Lakhia was conferred with the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, on the Republic Day this year in recognition of her lifelong dedication to Kathak.
"Kumudiniben passed away at her home in Ahmedabad at around 11 am. She was 95 and suffering from some age-related ailment for the last three months," said Parul Thakore, administrator of Kadamb Centre for Dance and Music that Lakhia founded here in 1964.
Born on May 17, 1930, in Ahmedabad, Lakhia went on to become a celebrated Indian Kathak dancer and choreographer. At Kadamb Centre, she developed technique, vocabulary and repertoire of Kathak dance.
She also worked as a choreographer in Hindi film "Umrao Jaan" (1981), among others.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to her and said her passion towards Kathak and Indian classical dances were reflected in her remarkable work over the years.
"Deeply saddened by the passing of Kumudini Lakhia ji, who made a mark as an outstanding cultural icon. Her passion towards Kathak and Indian classical dances was reflected in her remarkable work over the years," Modi said in on social media platform X.
"A true pioneer, she also nurtured generations of dancers. Her contributions will continue to be cherished. Condolences to her family, students and admirers. Om Shanti," he added.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also expressed grief over her demise, and described her "pride of Gujarat and India in the field of classical art".
"She trained many disciples in classical dance and exhibited the glory of Kathak dance in the country and the world. May God grant peace to her soul and give strength to her relatives and countless disciples and admirers to bear this grief. Om Shanti," he posted on X.
Lakhia won numerous prestigious awards such as Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Sangeet Natak Akademi, Kalidas Samman, and Gaurav Puraskar from the Gujarat government in recognition of her contribution to the world of Indian dance.
She started doing choreography in 1973 with a small group of students and her endeavour was to transform the presentation of Kathak dance with innovative ways for contemporary expression.
She also presented lectures on 'creativity and performance in dance' at universities in India, USA, and Europe. She learned from various gurus and was also trained under Shambhu Maharaj at the Bharatiya Kala Kendra on a scholarship from the Indian government.
