Dr.Bhushan Patwardhan, Chairman, Executive Committee, National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and Former Vice Chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC) recently inaugurated the Institute of Salutogenesis and Complementary Medicine (ISCM) at Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (SBV), Deemed to be University, Pondicherry accredited by NAAC with A ++ Grade.
SBV has been providing Complementary Medicine Services since 2007 in the form of Music Medicine Intervention and from 2010 Yoga in addition. Both of these were converted to centres, namely Centre for Music Therapy Education & Research and Centre for Yoga Therapy Education and Research. SBV’s intention is to provide facilities of yoga and music intervention to target specific diseases, but in combination with modern medicine.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Patwardhan drew reference to the statistics provided by World Health Organization (WHO) that nearly 80 percent of the global population utilizes Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM). Despite the rapid advances made in medical sciences and therapeutics, mention must be made of the fact that several challenges do exist with reference to accessibility and affordability. It is in the fitness of things that we need to abide by the principle elaborated in Ayurveda “Swasthasya Swasthya Rakshanam” which means there must be holistic involvement of the physical, mental, social and spiritual dimensions. Salutogenesis or wellness has been seamlessly integrated at Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, with the essential principles of complementary medicine and allopathy. It is indeed noteworthy that SBV has taken the lead in the country by starting ISCM.
Prof. Subhash Chandra Parija, Vice Chancellor, SBV informed the august gathering about the initiatives undertaken in the realms of Yoga Therapy and Music Therapy ever since the inception of SBV. An impressive volume of evidence has been generated through research publications in high impact journals. Several thousands of people have been the beneficiaries from outreach services. Considering this, it was decided to upgrade the facilities into the ISCM, with the aim of providing Salutogenesis and wellness for all. It must be mentioned that academic courses and programs including certificates, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters and Doctoral Programs in Music and Yoga Therapy are in vogue.
Prof. Ananthakrishnan N., Dean of Faculty, SBV noted that Yoga and Music would strive in promoting wellness when combined with the standard Health Care. The concept of Salutogenesis has been integrated into modern medicine and thus the contribution of SBV to the world community, especially during the post pandemic period.
Prof. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, Director, ISCM remarked that the upgradation of Yoga and Music Therapy centres into ISCM would go a long way in promoting Salutogenesis besides addressing several disorders of lifestyle, metabolism, endocrine and nervous systems. Prof. A.R. Srinivasan, Registrar, SBV rendered a musical felicitation on the occasion.
Prof. Madanmohan Trakroo and Prof. Sumathy Sundar were feted for their significant contributions towards Salutogenesis at SBV.
