PM To Confer Yoga Awards & Release AYUSH Commemorative Postal Stamps
Committed to its intent of highlighting the great work and acknowledging the achievements of the great Master Healers of AYUSH Systems, the Union Ministry of AYUSH has also planned to honour eminent scholars and practitioners in the field by releasing 12 commemorative postal stamps in their name and the Hon’ble PM would also release these stamps in this event besides conferring the PM’s Yoga Awards.
Also, during the event, the PM is scheduled to launch 10 AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres (AYUSH HWCs) that will be functional in Haryana and are in line with Ministry of AYUSH’s commitment to making 12,500 AHWCs functional in next three years. These Centres will be complementing the National Health Policy 2017 that insisted upon integration and mainstreaming of AYUSH services in conventional health care delivery system.
Further, the details of the above three components of the event are as follows:
About the PM’s award for outstanding contribution for Promotion and Development of Yoga:The PM’s award for outstanding contribution for Promotion and Development of Yoga had been institutionalized and announced during the 2nd International Day of Yoga (IDY) event held at Chandigarh on 21st June 2016 and since then the awards are conferred to the notable contributors in the field. Winners, selected under different categories out of 79 nominations for the current year and 186 nominations in the previous year, were announced this year during the IDY event held at Ranchi and each of them will be felicitated with a Trophy, Certificate and a Cash Award of Rs.25lakh.
Winners:
Sl. No. | Name of winner | Category |
2019 Winners | ||
Swami Rajarshi Muni of Life Mission, Gujarat | Individual-National | |
Ms. Antonietta Rozzi, Italy | Individual-International | |
Bihar School of Yoga, Bihar | Organisation-National | |
Munger and Japan Yoga Niketan, Japan | Organisation-International | |
2018 Winners | ||
Shri Vishwas Mandalik, Nasik | Individual – National | |
The Yoga Institute, Mumbai | Organisation – National | |
About the winners of 2019:
Swami Rajashri Muni, winner in Individual-National category, is a practicing Yogi from Limbdi, Gujarat. He was administered yoga deeksha by Swami Kripalvananda in 1971. Swami Rajashri Muni founded the Lakulish International Fellowship’s Enlightenment Mission (Life Mission) in 1993, and the Mission has carried out substantial work for promotion of Yoga as well as in humanitarian service. Swami Ji has touched the lives of thousands of people through the Life Mission, in his efforts to promote and propagate the knowledge and practice of the ancient science of Yoga and to provide selfless service to humanity. He has authored many books covering diverse aspects of Yoga, like Yogic philosophy and Yoga Therapy. He is also the spiritual Head and Chairman of the Lakulish Yoga University, Chharodi, Gujarat, an institution that facilitates students to excel in Yoga and to explore its different facets.
Ms. Antonietta Rozzi, winner in Individual-International category, is a practicing Yoga Teacher from Lerici, Italy with more than 42 years of experience in the field of Yoga. Originally a student of the Swami Shivananda Yoga Tradition, she subsequently learnt advanced aspects of Yogic practices from different Indian Yoga masters. She has had an illustrious professional carrier in Yoga teaching, and is respected globally for her erudition and commitment to the subject. She is the founder president of Sarva Yoga International and worked for promoting Traditional Indian Yoga in Italy and Europe for over four decades. She holds many important positions in Yoga professional bodies in Europe. Her work has added recognition to Yoga as a promising academic field and to Yoga Therapy as a viable healing system in parts of Europe.
Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, winner in Organisation-National category, was founded in 1964 by Sri Swami Satyananda Saraswati. The school is known for Yoga techniques developed through a synthesis of many approaches based on traditional vedantic, tantric and yogic teachings in conjunction with contemporary physical and mental health sciences. Bihar School also guides yoga projects and medical research in association with many reputed hospitals, organisations and establishments. Programmes made by Bihar School of Yoga are being used in education, Government sector, hospitals, Defence institutions, private and public sector industries and even prisons. The School publishes a reputed monthly magazine entitled "Yoga" covering different aspects of the discipline since 2013. Besides, it has more than 100 publications, many of which are used as referral books in different Yoga courses.
Japan Yoga Niketan, winner in Organisation-International category, was established in1980 and has been a torch-bearer of Yoga in Japan. It functions is association with Yoga Niketan, Rishikesh and S-VYASA Yoga University, Bengaluru. The Institute runs several Yoga training and therapy courses of high quality, through which Yoga has developed roots in Japan. The Institute is instrumental in bringing institutionally certified Yoga professionals into Japan, which helped to bring standards and strengthen the scientific concepts of Yoga in that country. Their publication, ‘Yoga Therapy Theory: Modern Methods Based on Traditional Teachings of Human Structure and Function’ is respected for its authenticity.
Sh. Vishwas Mandalik, winner in Individual-National category (2018),acquired in-depth knowledge of authentic Patanjali & Hatha Yoga, Bhagwad Gita and Upnishad by study and research of ancient scriptures for over last 55 years. In 1978, he set up first branch of Yoga Vidya Dham, and as of today there are 160 centres in India. He established Yoga Institute called Yoga Vidhya Gurukul in 1983 for the Yoga Education. Yoga Chaitanya Seva Pratisthan, a trust was set up by him to propagate Yoga in remote parts of India in 1994. He has written 42 books and developed 300 CDs to cover various training courses.
The Yoga Institute, winner in Organisation-National category, was established in 1918 by Shri Yogendraji, has completed its 100 years serving the society, touching the lives of over 10 Million people during its journey. It has produced more than 50000 yoga teachers and has over 500 publications to its credit. The Yoga Institute has contributed to the promotion and development of holistic Yoga for over 10 decades, and served all sections of society, both locally and globally.
The Ministry of AYUSH is privileged to bring out Commemorative Stamps as its humble homage on 12 Master Healers of AYUSH practices:
About the Master Healers:
Thiru T.V. Sambasivam Pillai: He authored the “Siddha Cyclopeadic Medical Dictionary”, a mammoth work of unprecedented scale and erudition. It extends over 5 volume s with around 87,000 words, and is one of the most treasured and impactful works in Siddha medicine. It is also believed to be one of the greatest achievements in the encyclopedia history of India. TV Sambasivam Pillai is revered as the “Legend of Siddha Cyclopeadic Medical Dictionary” by the scholars of Siddha medicine.
Hakim Mohammad Abdul Aziz Lakhnawi: Born on 24th September 1854 in Lucknow, Mohammad Abdul Aziz Lakhnawi was an illustrious physician and an outstanding teacher. He established a Medical School in Lucknow in 1902 and named it Takmil al -Tibb, meaning, completion of education in Medicine. His fame was so widespread that students and practitioners used to come to him for study not just from different parts of India, but also from Afghanistan and Central Asian countries. His Medical School is now a reputed College maintained by the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
Hakim Mohammad Kabiruddin: One of the most prolific writers and a great academician of Unani Medicine of 20th century. He devoted his efforts in translating many important books into Urdu language and it is his greatest contribution to Unani Medicine. He founded Al-Masih, a monthly magazine and established ‘Daftar al-Masih’, a publishing house, which published original works as well as translations. He was honored with the title of ‘Shahanshah-e-Tasnifaat’ (Emperor of Compilations) by Nizam of Hyderabad. Hakim Kabiruddin was a great teacher. He served as Professor at A&U Tibbia College, New Delhi; Reader at Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College, AMU, Aligarh and Vice Principal at Nizamia Tibbia College, Hyderabad.
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi: Known for original contributions to Yoga and Meditation, he is remembered most for developing the Transcendental Meditation technique. The Shankaracharya of JyotirMath, Swami Brahmananda Saraswati, was his guru. From 1955 he travelled around India and the world to spread his message of peace and spirituality, and inspired thousands of followers. Maharishi’s legacy lives on through the numerous books that he authored, and the many institutions that he set up, including the Maharishi International University (later renamed Maharishi University of Management).
Swami Kuvalayananda: A pioneer in scientific approach to Yoga, Swami Ji was instrumental in making it more acceptable to the modern world through his research work on Yoga techniques. He published the first journal devoted to scientific investigation into yoga, namely Yoga Mimamsa. His work established the positive impact of Asana, Shatkarma, Bandhas, and Pranayama on humans. Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute founded by him in 1924 continues to work for the upliftment of society through the application of Yoga in various spheres of life.
Dr. Dinshaw Mehta: A close confidante of and personal physician to Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Dinshaw Mehta was deeply committed to natural and holistic methods of cure. He helped Mahatma Gandhi to establish the Nature Cure Clinic and Sanatorium at Pune, which is presently the National Institute of Naturopathy. Dr Dinshaw carried out scientific studies into Naturopathy, especially on fasting. He is a true path-finder for Naturopathy in India.
Vaidya Bhaskara Vishwanath Gokhale: was a skilled teacher, far sight visionary and eminent Ayurveda physician. He emphasized the need for quality Post Graduate education and Research in Ayurveda. He was also one of the early votaries of integrative medical system. His ideas to increase the potency of routinely used drugs are familiar as Ekaushadhi Prayoga. His teachings continue to serve as guiding light for generations of Ayurveda professionals even after so many decades.
Vaidya Shastri Shankar Daji Pade: is revered for his prolific writing skills, scholarship, deep thinking and technical proficiency in Ayurveda. He proposed opening of Ayurveda Schools to make people aware of the strengths and secrets of Ayurveda. Throughout his life he motivated fellow-professionals to establish associations and discussion groups in Ayurveda that later lead to the world of Ayurveda Conferences. He contributed more than 75 weighty books and commentaries. Besides, he drew up a list of 702 ancient Ayurveda texts.
Vaidya YadavJi TrikamJi Acharya: was a bright luminary and successful practitioner of Ayurveda. Recognizing the lack of authentic editions of Ayurveda treatises, he founded the Ayurveda Granthamala Trust that published authentic editions of Ayurveda treatises. The more than 40 books that he published embody his scholarship and practical experience. In appreciation to his meritorious work Govt of India appointed him as the first Principal of Post Graduate Teaching Centre in Ayurveda, Jamnagar in 1956.
Vaidya Bhooshanam K Raghavan Thirumulpad: was an eminent Ayurvedic and Sanskrit Scholar, who inspired generations of Ayurveda students. He was a proponent of classical Ayurveda and symbolized a harmonious mix of ethics and rationality in the practice of medicine. He published more than 42 books. Motivated by Nationalistic movement, he participated in the propagation of Khadi. He founded Ayurvedic Medical Practitioners Hospital and Industrial Co-Operative Society (AMPHIC) of Ayurveda Physicians running a manufacturing unit of quality Ayurveda medicines in 1970. A grateful nation conferred the honour of Padma Bhushan on him posthumously.
Raj Vaidya Brihaspati Dev Triguna: was an accomplished Ayurvedic physician and scholar. He was renowned for his skills of pulse diagnosis. Many leading personalities including Presidents and Prime Ministers of India were his patients. In association with Maharshi Mahesh Yogi, he was instrumental in establishing large number of Ayurveda Clinics and Panchakarma Centres globally. He was instrumental in establishing the Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth (RAV) for preserving the Ayurveda knowledge through Guru Shishya Parampara. The nation honoured him by conferring on him the Padma Vibhushan.
Dr. KG Saxena: He is first Honorary Adviser (Homoeopathy) to Government of India and had a privilege of being the first Honorary Physician to Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India. He made Herculean efforts for the recognition and advancement of Homoeopathy. In recognition of his services to the cause of Homoeopathy, he was conferred Padma Shree award. He was also conferred with National Award at Calcutta by N.C. Chakravarty Memorial Committee for his magnificent contribution towards the development of Homoeopathy.
Ayurveda and yoga represent great age old traditions of our country. Every Indian family follows the components of these systems in some or the other way to achieve well being. Further, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy, Naturopathy and other types of traditional knowledge are also well accepted by Indian communities.
Central Government with the active support from States has committed for providing health care with the focus on preventive and promotive interventions enabling our society to achieve well being. In order to provide comprehensive primary healthcare, AYUSH components have been integrated in Health and Wellness Centres under Ayushman Bharat. Launching of 10 AYUSH health and wellness centres in the State of Haryana will be done on 30.8.2019 by the Prime Minister. It would be a historic beginning in mainstreaming of holistic, preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative AYUSH care for achieving comprehensive health care. The main focus of these AYUSH HWCs would be empowering the community for ‘self care’ by imbibing AYUSH based healthy food and lifestyle, social behaviour and use of medicinal plants for primary health care. Provisions will also be made for diagnostics and medicines for a wide range of health problems. These services will be in addition to the currently on going National Health Programs. By operationalizing these AYUSH Health Wellness Centres in our villages the benefits of AYUSH systems of medicine will be made available to each of the family members, so that they need not go for other costly health interventions.
