Central Council for Research in Siddha

First Siddha Day

Report of the First Siddha Day

It was decided by the Ministry of AYUSH to observe Siddha Day every year on the birthday of Siddhar Agathiyar, the father of Siddha Medicine. Accordingly, the first Siddha Day celebration was organised on 4th January 2018, by the Central Council for Research in Siddha in collaboration with the Directorate of Indian Medicine and Homeopathy, Government of Tamil Nadu, The Tamil Nadu Dr. M. G. R Medical University and National Institute of Siddha. The event was held in the Silver Jubilee auditorium of The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R Medical University, Chennai.

Prof. Dr. R.S. Ramaswamy, Director General, Central Council for Research in Siddha, welcomed the dignitaries and the gathering. In his opening remarks, he highlighted the genesis of Siddha day earmarked every year on the birthday of Agathiyar. Prior to his opening remarks, DG, CCRS thanked the Honourable Minister of State (Independent charge) for AYUSH Shri. Shripad Yesso Naik who had consented to grace the occasion but because of his unavoidable preoccupation could not attend and also thanked Shri. Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha ji, Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH and Shri. P. N. Ranjith Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH and other officials for their immense support and guidance in organizing this event successfully.

Shri. Pramod Kumar Pathak, Joint Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India presided over the inaugural ceremony and explained the various initiatives taken by the Ministry of AYUSH in creating awareness by organizing specialized days of respective systems and showcasing their strength. Dr. J. Radhakrishnan, Principal Secretary to Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Department of Health & Family Welfare; Shri. Mohan Pyare, Additional Chief Sectary, Commissioner – Land Administration Commissioner – Directorate of Indian Medicine & Homeopathy, Govt. of Tamil Nadu; Dr. S. Geethalakshmi, Vice-Chancellor, The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R Medical University and Dr. V. Banumathi, Director, National Institute of Siddha, rendered felicitation addresses. Dr. C. Vijaya Baskar, Hon’ble Minister for Health, Medical Education & Family Welfare, Govt. of Tamil Nadu inaugurated the celebrations of the first Siddha Day and the National Conference on “Prevention and management of Lifestyle Disorders through Siddha System of Medicine” and released the souvenir, a monograph on Siddhar Agathiyar and the Hindi version of the book Theraiyar Kudineer. During his inaugural address, Dr. C. Vijaya Baskar briefed the audience about the initiatives taken by the State machinery in implementing both the Schemes of the Central and State Governments. Dr. P. Parthiban, Joint Director, Directorate of Indian Medicine & Homeopathy, Govt. of Tamil Nadu proposed a vote of thanks. The dignitaries remarked the commendable activities of the Council especially publication of books in Hindi and release of the Souvenir comprising 213 abstracts from invited speakers and delegates.

920 registered delegates participated in this mega-event apart from several invitees and Siddha experts. The grand inauguration of the event was followed by three technical sessions in which the invited speakers delivered the plenary lectures on the theme “Prevention and Management of Life-style disorders through Siddha system of Medicine”. In the first technical session, the first plenary lecture was delivered by Dr. S. Thanikachalam, Chairman & Director, Cardiac Care Centre, Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Hospital, Chennai on “Research experience with Siddha system of medicine in the management of Type II Diabetes Mellitus” followed by the first main paper entitled “Multi-centric Clinical Trial Experiences in Diabetes Mellitus” presented by Dr. M. Kannan, Research Officer (Siddha), Siddha Central Research Institute, Chennai.

The second plenary lecture was delivered by Prof. Dr. P. Jeyaprakash Narayanan, Chairman, Siddha Pharmacopeia Committee, CCRS, Chennai, on “Higher Order Siddha Medicines in treating challenging diseases” and the third plenary lecture was delivered by 
Prof. Dr. Belle Monappa Hegde, Retired Vice Chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (Deemed University), Manipal on “Research experience with Siddha system of medicine in the management of Hypertension”. Then the second main paper entitled “Life style disorders – Stress management in Siddha Medicine” was presented by 
Dr. T. Lakshmikantham, Lecturer, National Institute of Siddha, Chennai.

In the second technical session, Dr. G. Sankar, Siddha Expert, Ezhil Siddha Hospital, Chengalpattu delivered the fourth plenary lecture on “Major health challenges in reproductive women” followed by the fifth plenary lecture delivered by Dr. N. Shunmugom, Head of the Department of Tamil, Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidhyalaya College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore on “Postural Disorders-Wry Neck-Management through Medical Varmalogy”.

The third main paper entitled “Efficacy of Varma Therapy and Tharai with Murivu Ennai in Cervical and Lumbar Disc Prolapse” was presented by Dr. S. Aruna, Lecturer, Government Siddha Medical College, Chennai. The details of the presentation schedule held in the main hall is attached in Annexure I.

To encourage young students and researchers, 25 scientific papers were presented during the parallel session which was held in the senate hall of the Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University and its schedule is attached as Annexure II.192 posters were presented by the delegates on various topics namely, Cancer, Diabetes, Hypertension, Postural disorders, Women’s health, other lifestyle disorders and higher order medicines. The best oral and poster presenters were awarded.

Further, to encourage the student community, in the third technical session, motivational speeches were delivered on the following topics on “How to be a successful Siddha practitioner” by Dr. G. Sivaraman, Managing Director, Arogya Health Care (P), Ltd, “Flash light on Research in Siddha” by Dr. P. Manickam, Scientist –E, National Institute of Epidemiology, “Field work on Siddha System of Medicine” by Dr. B. Michael Jeyaraj, Founder and Managing Trustee, Ulaga Tamil Maruthuva Kazhagam & Karpa Avizhtham, “An entrepreneur’s story” by Dr. L. Sivakumar, Chief Operating Officer, SKM Siddha & Ayurveda Company India Ltd, “Development aspects in Siddha – NGO’s view” by 
Dr. T. Thirunarayanan, Centre for Traditional Medicine Research and “Qualities of Siddha Medical Students” by Dr. V. Gopal, Registrar Academic, Mother Theresa Post graduate and Research institute of Health Sciences, Puducherry.

The celebration of the first Siddha Day was marked by many valuable events – Siddha stalls put up by the Council and other Government Siddha institutions displayed informative materials on Siddha system of medicine. An exhibition cum sales of medicinal plants had been arranged by Siddha Medicinal Plants Garden, a unit of CCRS located in Mettur. Siddha, Varmam and Yogam outpatient clinics were conducted for providing free consultation and Siddha medicines for the public. Around 650 public werre benefited.

Prior to Siddha day, quiz competition, essay competition, elocution competition and short film competition were held to exhibit and hone the talents of students of Siddha Medical colleges. Prizes and certificates were awarded to the winners on the Siddha Day.