Imphal, December 09: A workshop on 'Traditional healing practices in Manipur' which would continue for twp days has begun from today at Manipur State Museum here.

The inaugural function of the workshop being organised jointly by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi; Manipur Film Development Corporation Limited, Imphal and Manipur State Museum, Imphal was attended by Padmashree N Khelchandra Singh as chief guest, former head of Department of Botany, DM College of Science Dr H Nandiram Sharma as president and research officer of IGNCA New Delhi Dr Kailash Mishra as guest of honour.

On organising the workshop, Director of Arts and Culture K Sobita said it is to promote and popularise the traditional healing practices in Manipur which are losing its popularity day by day.

Speaking at the occasion, Khelchandra observed that although traditional healing system is fast fading away along with rapidly growing modernity, there is the need to preserve the system in view of its valued contribution to the society.

So, setting up institution to encourage research works i this field is essential, he added.

In his presidential address, Dr Nandiram Sharma said that the people of Manipur are known to the world for their high rate consumption of wild herbs as well as for their knowledge of the medicinal values of herbs growing around them.

While observing that the State is known as an oasis of civilisation, Dr Nandiram Sharma also mooted setting up of institution to impart knowledge of traditional healing practices and to popularise the system of traditional treatment among the people.

Dr.Kailash Mishra, research officer of IGNCA, New Delhi said that Centre is coming here to promote and propagate the cultural and traditional arts of the land.

It is trying to sensitize and popularize the significant arts practised by our forefathers and to let the heritage flows incessantly.

The workshop which would go on for two days is being attended by practitioners of traditional healing and enthusiasts in the field of traditional healing systems.

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