International Conference-cum-Exhibition on Ayurveda

International Conference-cum-Exhibition on Ayurv= eda

Bu= dapest, 29 September, 2007

        &= nbsp;   An International Conference-cum-Exhibition on Ayurveda, the ancient system of holistic medicine from India, was held on 29 S= eptember 2007 in Budapest. The Conference was inaugurated by = Smt. Panabaka Lakshmi, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Ms Katalin Ra= pi, Secretary of State, Ministry of Health, Government of Hungary, was the Chief Guest.

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        &= nbsp;   Over thirty experts from India, Hungary and other EU member States participated in the one-day Conference, aimed at promoting Ayurveda in European countries.&= nbsp; The Conference had the following thematic sessions:

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·        Ayurveda and Health Care;=

·        Ayurveda in Europe; and

·        Ayurveda and Living

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The following reco= mmendations were adopted at the end of Conference:

Efforts should be made to ensure that Ayurveda has the same le= gal status in Europe as Homoeopathy.<= /p>

Efforts should be made for the introduction of Ayurveda teachi= ng at University level. Government = of India should assist in the development of a proper curriculum and make arrangemen= ts to send teachers/professors of Ayurveda to interested universities. In this regard, cooperation with <= st1:place w:st=3D"on">University of Debrecen, Hungary may be explored.

Small groups of professionals from Hungary and other EU countries may be encouraged to visit India to see some leading cen= tres of Ayurveda such as Arya V= aidya Shala, Kottakkal, <= span class=3DSpellE>Kerala, BHU Varanasi, GAU= Jamnagar as well as some Ayurvedic drug companies.

Government of India should offer scholarship to EU countries including Hungary for studying Ayurveda in India on the lines of scholarships offered for learning Indian music and dance.

Regular Ayurveda Awareness Programmes including conferences, lectures and workshops should be organised in European countries.

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        &= nbsp;   Promotional materials like videos, CDs, DVDs, handbook on Ayurveda and other publicatio= ns should be prepared in European languages and widely disseminated.

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        &= nbsp;   The Government of India should provide support for any sincere attempt to promo= te Ayurveda by an institution or an individual.

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        &= nbsp;   A virtual network/interactive website that could act as a resource base for a= ll Ayurveda practitioners and the wider public should be established. The proposal made by the Hungarian Ayurveda Medical Foundation (HAMF) to create a virtual organisation, which = will act as an online network of all Ayurveda related organisations, personnel a= nd resources in Europe is a welcome initiative. HAMF would create= a database of Ayurveda companies/practitioners/institutes that are operating = in Europe in order to facilitate institutional linkage= s.

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        &= nbsp;   Efforts should be made to add Panchkarma as well as Ayurvedic massage therapies to the conventional Hungarian spa therapies. The spa owners and authorities should be given all assistance in this regard. Indian private sector companies ma= y also be encouraged to explore possibilities for joint ventures and partnerships.=

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        &= nbsp;   The EU Traditional Herbal Medicinal Product Directive (THMPD) creates a new classification of Traditional Use Registration for specific herbal medicinal products. However, the direct= ive provides for registration exemption with several conditions such as safe use for 30 years, including 15 in an EU member country. 15 year usage in EU criterion would act as a technical barrier to registration of Ayurveda products in EU countries. It should be substituted with traditional safe usage anywhere in the world with quality certification. Efforts to be made to promote entry of Ayurvedic medicines and natural food supplements in Europe. The issues with regard to THMPD ne= ed to be addressed on top priority at the highest level between Government of Ind= ia and EU as well as Government of India and individual EU Member States. It is important that Ayurvedic OTC medicines should q= ualify for claims so that consumers have a wider choice of health-care products. <= /span>

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