Lifestyle disorders owes for more than half of the deaths annually worldwide. The leading global risks for mortality in the world are high blood pressure (13% deaths globally), high blood glucose (6%), physical inactivity (6%) and overweight and obesity (5%) [1]. Faulty lifestyle has also been found to be associated with life threatening diseases like cancer. Due to deviation from the ideal lifestyle, people are spending more years living with illness and disability. The prevalence of lifestyle disorders has reached alarming levels among Indians in the recent years. Increasing westernization of lifestyle being one of the main reasons for the disorders [2]. Correction of faulty lifestyle to control diseases and adoption of ideal lifestyle for prevention is an economic and comprehensive way to fight the burden, caused by the lifestyle disorders. Ayurveda mentions the ideal lifestyle in the form of ideal daily regimen “Dinacharya” and seasonal regimen “Ritucharya”. One should eat, act and think for the happiness [3] and Dinacharya and Ritucharya gives all the methods to accomplish this.
Central theme for the 3rd Ayurveda Day as declared by the Ministry of AYUSH was “Ayurveda for public health”. Keeping in mind the importance of Dinacharya and Ritucharya in disease control and prevention at community level, the need of these measures to fight the burden, All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi organised AYUSHCHARYA 2018 (10th and 11th Dec) – A National Conference on Dinacharya and Ritucharya for public health promotion.
The conference was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Dr. Bajrang Lal Gupta, renowned philosophist and economist in the presence of Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri Vaidya Devendra Triguna, Shri Baldev Kumar Dhiman, Vice Chancellor, Kurukshetra University and Dr. Dnyaneshwar Mulay, Secretary (CPV & OIA), Ministry of external affairs.
Prof. Tanuja Manoj Nesari, Director, AIIA, in the welcome speech conveyed about the theme and aim of AYUSHCHARYA, highlighting Ayurvedic Dinacharya and Ritucharya as a need of the hour for prevention of lifestyle disorders like diabetes, hypertension etc. Dr. Mangalagowri V Rao, program coordinator briefed about the various activities planned for the two days and acknowledged Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India for the support.
In his inaugural address, Dr. Bajrang Lal gupta highlighted the importance of “Hita Bhukta, Mita Bhukta and Ritu Bhukta” to remain healthy. Hita Ahara (right food with respect to the Prakriti and physical condition of the person) everyday [3], Matrayukta Ahara (eating in right amount) [3] and Ahara according to Ritu are the important factors to prevent the lifestyle diseases. Dr. Dnyaneshwar Mulay pointed out that the holistic approach of Ayurveda is the only way to move from illness to wellness.
Prof Vinod Kumar, a renowned Chrono-biologist discussed about the biological clock and time intervals. All organisms use time-of-day and time-of-year information to organize their biological activities at the most profitable within each day and within each year. The appreciation of the role of clocks has gained in almost all walks of life viz. metabolism, diseases, sleep, and psychiatric disorders as basic chronobiology related mechanisms lies at the root of all these diseases.
Prof Sajitha discussed about the importance of Ritucharya in Swastha. Ritushodhana increases the strength and lustre [3]. The vitiated Dosha eliminated during Ritu-Shodhana process do not get vitiated again [3], thereby preventing the recurrence of the diseases.
Prof Mihir Hazarnavis spoke extensively on the customized dietary pattern and life-style for various occupational hazards like occupations that require long hours of seating should eat light food and avoid day sleep, night shift workers on the other hand can sleep in the day after taking light meal but should sleep only for half duration of the waking hours. He emphasized on sedentary lifestyle, significance of 2 meals a day [4] and avoidance of extra meals as recommended by Yogaratnakara [5] and Acharya Charaka. People involved in physical labor or field work should have their meals every 6 hours based on their occupation [3].
Dr Unnikrishnan spoke about the changes in the environment with the change in season or “Ritu” and modifications of diet and lifestyle accordingly. In Northern India, the winters are long and the rains arrive late, whereas in Southern India rains arrive much earlier than the Northern part [6]. Ritu Lakshana can be assessed by Masa, Rashi and Swarupa [6]. Ushna and Sheeta Guna in the environment are the deciding factors for Dosha Chaya and Prakopa. If the Ushna guna combines with the Ruksha Guna Vata Dosha gets Sanchita and if the Sheeta guna combines with Ruksha guna, Vata Dosha gets Prakopa [6].
Dr Sangita Salve spoke on air pollution and its hazards and increased mortality and morbidity with increased air pollution [7]. She enlisted various herbs that act as air purifiers like Tulasi. She also explained the reason behind keeping Tulasi in the verandah. For indoor pollution, she recommended ferns and various ornamental plants. She also recommended the use of Yastimadhu [8], Amalaki, Aswagandha for immune-modulation and as antioxidant. Regarding noise pollution, she emphasized on regular Karnapooran with immune-modulators like Bilwa Taila.
Dr. Kashinath Samagandi spoke on the modifications in Dinacharya that suit to present scenario, a real need of hour. He said that Dinacharya is one of the primordial prevention for lifestyle disorders. He spoke about Sama and Visham Swasthvritta and emphasized that everyone should follow Sama Swasthvritta which includes waking up according to ones Prakriti followed by other practices for the strength and vitality and in order to achieve all Purusharth Chatushtaya. His address included the dietary corrections like the salad that is to be taken before a meal and should include carrots, radish, turnip and other vegetables that grow below the ground.
Dr. Manoj Nesari and Dr D C Katoch, Advisors, Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India, Prof. Basavaraddi, Director, MDNIY, Prof. Tanuja Nesari, Director, AIIA, Dr Sajitha K and Dr Mangalagowri V. Rao, AIIA were the experts during panel discussion. While addressing the question from the audience Dr. D C Katoch discussed about the ‘Ayushman Bharat scheme’ and ‘Pradhanmantri Jan Arogya Yojana’ and efforts AYUSH ministry is putting to incorporate AYUSH component in augmenting the outcomes of the scheme. Dr. Manoj Nesari spoke on importance of inclusion of Ayurvedic management modalities for wellness in insurance sector as a large part of population is taking help from Ayurveda for preventing diseases and also insurance companies can gain from the same. Prof. Basavaraddi putforth his expert view on ‘the role of yoga in Dinacharya’ emphasized that regular yogic practices in daily routine would help to prevent and manage the lifestyle disorders. Prof. Tanuja Nesari, Director AIIA highlighted the importance of Ajasrik Rasayana. Ghrita (Ghee) and Ksheera (Milk) that are used on daily basis has an effect as Rasayana and hence these are appraised as Ajasrika Rasayana. Dr Sajitha K, highlighted the importance of Ritu Shodhana in healthy for prevention of diseases. Dr Mangalagowri V. Rao stressed upon the need of modification of Dinacharya to suit the present needs based on Ayurvedic principles.
The conference witnessed 120 podium presentations in ten different scientific sessions. There were key note speakers and paper presentations from Academicians, Research officers and PG Scholars in every scientific session. Sessions were divided on the basis of various subsections i.e. Ritucharya, Skin and Beauty Care, Dinacharya for prevention of NCDs, Dinacharya for health Promotion, Cancer and anorectal care, ENT and Ocular care, Panchakarma, Geriatric health care and other procedures, Women's health/Herbs for health promotion and common ailments etc. Best papers awards were given to a few papers with interesting findings like, the effect of specific Dinacharya on Quality of life of geriatric population using EQ 5D; the relation between various Dinacharya practices and health which was found positive; Critical analysis of Ritucharya with special mention of the effect of availability of all fruits and vegetables in all seasons.
During AYUSHCHARYA Vivechana Samaroha, Dinacharya Booklet, Ritucharya Calendar, Lifestyle clinic IEC materials and Dinacharya Chalisa were released by Shri. Shripad Yesso Naik, Hon'ble Minster of State (Independent charge), AYUSH, Govt of India in the presence of Vd Rajesh Kotecha, Hon'ble secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, Govt of India. Hon'ble Minister gave his view on the national conference and concluded that AYUSHCHARYA brought the practitioners, academicians, researchers, post graduate scholars together on common platform to discuss the various updates in the specialty and the outcome would help in the future policy planning.
The conference ended with the vote of thanks by Dr. Shivakumar S Harti Assistant professor, Department of Swasthavritta followed by the cultural program that included a skit highlighting the effects of environment change on the seasons. The videos are available on AIIA youtube channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/AIIANDelhi).
Funding
This conference was funded by Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India (Grant No. S-11012/53/2018-IEC).
Footnotes
Peer review under responsibility of Transdisciplinary University, Bangalore.
References
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