Workshop held at MU
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 29 2019:
Expressing serious concern on the waning folk and indigenous healing practices in the country, Anthropos India Foundation (ATP) Founding Chairperson, Dr Sunita Reddy has called for promotion and revitalization of the age old indigenous healing practices of different cultures and regions of the country.
She was speaking as a resource person during a one-day workshop under the theme "Folk and indigenous Healing Practices in Manipur" which was held at Committee Room, Administrative Block, Manipur University yesterday.
The workshop was organized by Centre for Study Exclusion and Inclusive Policy (CSSEIP), Manipur University in collaboration with ATE.
Sunita Reddy, who is also an Associate Professor of Centre of Social Medicine and Community Health (CSMCH), JNU, New Delhi, went on to observe that indigenous healers have been making immense contribution in the communities for many decades and their efforts should not go unrecognised.
She further advocated that indigenous or traditional healing practices should be put on the backdrop of universal public health services and raised to a higher standard.
Pointing out the difficulties face in boosting traditional healing practices in the country, she said that many sections of the society who cannot understand the values of traditional healing practices, underestimate traditional healers and are often hesitant in taking up initiatives for the promotion of the traditional knowledge in healing systems.
This led to the deterioration of decades old healing practices in India.
Knowledge of decades-old traditional healing practices in the country should be well-documented and protected while the patent of varied healing system in India should be given to the respective healers, she added.
The Associate Professor mooted the idea of setting up healing huts at Panchayat levels for its promotion.