Dr Padma Gurmet presents paper on traditional system’s contribution to health and wellness across Asia
LEH: Dr Padma Gurmet, Director of the National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa (NISR), Leh, participated in an international seminar on the role of traditional healing systems in promoting health and wellness across Asia.
The seminar, titled “Healing and Wellbeing in South Asian Texts and Practices (Niramayata)”, was organised by the India International Centre–International Research Division in New Delhi. It brought together Indian and international experts working on Ayurveda, Yoga, Sowa-Rigpa, Siddha and Unani, among other traditional systems of healing. Press release 10
The conference examined the development of healing systems in India, their spread across Asia and their adaptation to different regional environments, besides discussing their relevance to biomedical sciences and public health.
Gurmet delivered a technical lecture titled “Sowa-Rigpa system of medicine for Healing and Wellness in Asia”, focusing on the role of Sowa-Rigpa in health and wellness practices in Tibet, Mongolia, Bhutan, parts of China, Nepal, Himalayan regions of India and parts of the former Soviet Union.
Her presentation highlighted the geographical spread of Sowa-Rigpa and its continued presence across different parts of Asia, particularly in regions with strong historical and cultural links to the system.
The event began with a welcome address by K N Srivastava, Director, India International Centre, followed by an introduction by Sudha Gopalakrishnan, Executive Director, IIC-International Research Division. Anil Rajput, Chairperson, Bharat ki Soch, delivered the inaugural address.
Among the special attendees were Professor Emeritus Dominik Wujastyk of the University of Alberta, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, and Shyam Saran, former Foreign Secretary.
The seminar provided a platform for experts from India and abroad to discuss traditional knowledge systems and their relevance to contemporary health and wellness practices. For NISR, the participation also provided an opportunity to present Sowa-Rigpa, a traditional system of medicine practised across the Himalayan region, before an international gathering of scholars and practitioners.
