Nagpur, 06 Aug

(HS): Dharmarthkammokshanam

Arogyam moolamuttamam’ – Health is the supreme foundation of Dharma, Artha,

Kama and Moksha.

‘Arogyam

Sukhasandnyakam’ meaning Health itself is the true definition of happiness,

The foundation statements

(Charak Sanhita) of Ayurveda place Arogya (holistic health) at the very centre

of human life and wellbeing. Ayurveda is therefore not merely a system of

medicine, but a comprehensive knowledge tradition concerned with physical, mental,

ethical and spiritual dimensions of life.

In the era of

degrading social, ethical and spiritual values which Indian society has

followed for centuries, the National Education Policy (NEP) emphasises

connecting the modern science parameters with the traditional experiment-based

traditional knowledge.

Of four basic

dimensions of like Dharma (Duty or Responsibility), Artha (Earning), Kama

(Procreation) and Moksha (Liberation) have changed preferences in the modern

age with Artha acquiring the top priority.

The ethical and spiritual

values relegated to the back seat.

In the efforts

to revive the values the Indian society the National Education Police is trying

to connect the Indian knowledge with the modern one, promotion of pedagogy of

Ayurveda is one of them.

The Sanskrit

language, in which the ancient knowledge has been text, is another hurdle for

those who are educated through modern languages.

Ayurveda

Gurukulam and Pre-Ayurveda Programme:

Ayurveda

Gurkulam System is being revived to connect Ayurveda and the modern science.

The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) through Central

Sanskrit University has launched Pre-Ayurveda Programme, followed by Bachelor in

Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) course from academic year 2026-2027.

The Central

Sanskrit University, New Delhi is the nodal agency for implementation of

Pre-Ayurveda-BAMS degree course. The seven-and-a-half year duration course

helps in learning and understanding of ancient text written in Sanskrit language.

The two year

duration in Pre-Ayurveda after SSC (Std X) is equivalent to the existing HSC

curriculum where the students lean Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology,

with Sanskrit as an additional subject. The existing BAMS syllabus has been

retained for five and a half years including the internship, with addition of modern

technology including AI.

In the Gurukulam

system continuous association and interaction between the teacher (Guru) and

the students (Shishya) is necessary. The course has been made residential with

round the clock presence of the Mentor with the students.

In an effort to

avoid conflict between students of different age groups the minimum age for

entry is 15 years by which the student clears SSC exam, and the upper age limit

if 25.

Chairperson of

NCISM Dr Maneesha Kothekar said that the upper limit was introduce later as a

precautionary measure.

Affiliation and

Admission:

In the first

year 20 Institutions have applied. Those who have applied must have basic infrastructure

for a residential Gurukulam and a separate Ayurveda hospital and a 24 X 7

library. The initial intake capacity will be of 50 students. The eligibility

for Faculty members would be the same as prescribed for BAMS and Pre-Gurukulam

like Junior Colleges. An addition will have to be made for teaching Sanskrit

and Introduction of Ayurveda.

The seven-and-a-half

year course was existing before the introduction of direct BAMS after HSC was

introduced. The same is being revived through Gurukulam.

The admission

will be carries out through National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) only. The

model question papers to facilitate writing the examination will be made

available to the applicants.

Pashu Ayurveda:

Dr Kothekar

informed that veterinary science in Ayurvad also exists, which has remained neglected.

Vantara Zoo in

Jamnagar, Gujarat established by Reliance Foundation follows Pashu Ayurveda.

With the development in science and

technology, traditional knowledge cannot be ignored. The efforts are being made

to revive the ancient rich Indian knowledge base using modern scientific and technological

development for better understanding and adoption by the people.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar