PANAJI: The Governor, Dr S S Sidhu has highlighted the importance of Ayurveda, the oldest medical science gifted to the humanity by our country when the rest of the world was yet to acquire the necessary knowledge to handle various types of diseases and physical ailments.

The Governor was speaking as the chief guest after inaugurating the exhibition on Ayurveda at the Ayurveda College, Shiroda, on Monday.

Speaking further, Dr Sidhu congratulated the Gomantak Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya and Research Centre for organising the exhibition displaying models, photographs and herbal specimen prepared and arranged by teachers and students of the college.

Attributed to Dhanavantri, the physician of Gods, Ayurveda as the medical science, has evolved over 4,000 years or so, the Governor said adding," It is a part and parcel of our illustrious Vedic traditions.

Suffering humanity gets attracted to Ayurveda because it addresses the entire health care of patients. Ayurveda begins with the harmony between body, mind and spirit or consciousness and then proceeds to the balance between the five basic elements-earth, water, energy, air and ether - that combine to form the human body.

Then, there are the elemental energies or the humors namely, vata, pitta and kapha, the sapta dhatu, Yoga, meditation, massages as also ‘Panchakarma’ meant to dispel toxins from human body."

The Governor said, clinical diagnosis with the feel of the pulse is the hallmark of Ayurvedic treatment.

MLA, Mr Mahadev Naik, who was the guest of honour said, Health Centre at Karai Shiroda needs to be upgraded. The passed out students from Ayurvedic college should be given reservation in government jobs, he added.

Dr Anura Bale, principal also spoke on the occasion. Mr P K Ghate, chairman, Bhartiya Sanskritik Prabodhini welcomed the guests, Dr Neelesh Korde compered the function. Dr Aditya Samant proposed the vote of thanks.