Union Minister Sonowal inaugurates Ayush Utsav, one-day seminar on Bridging the Gaps in Health Care

GANDERBAL : Union Minister of AYUSH, Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sh Sarbananda Sonowal today inaugurated a One-Day Seminar titled “Bridging the Gaps in Health care: Ayush, a Promising Recourse” at Government Unani Medical College and Hospital (GUMC&H) Nawabagh, Ganderbal.

Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Shyambir, Director AYUSH J&K Dr Mohan Singh, Principal GUMC&H and other faculty members were present on the occasion.

The Minister also inspected various stalls displayed in the college by Directorate of AYUSH, Unani Medical College Ganderbal, Regional Research Center in Unani Medicine, Srinagar, followed by a look on poster presentations of the students in the college gallery.

On this occasion, a video documentary of Directorate of AYUSH was also displayed to showcase the strengths of AYUSH and the progress achieved in Jammu & Kashmir in last few years.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said the under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, different ministries of the Government of India have taken strong steps for the development of Jammu and Kashmir adding that Ministry of AYUSH is committed to provide all support to the College authorities for the development of college to strengthen AYUSH at grass root level.

While interacting with the students, the Minister urged them to make people aware about the importance of traditional medicine system which is not limited to treatment but social health and mental health-happiness are included.

While highlighting the importance of Ayurveda, the minister said the WHO has established WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Gujarat, which is the first and only global outpost centre for traditional medicine across the world which gave a recognition of India’s contribution and potential in this field and India will emerge as an international hub of global wellness, he added.

On this occasion, Director AYUSH, J&K Dr Mohan Singh elaborated in detail the achievements of the Department in making the AYUSH systems a house hold name in all corners of the UT. AYUSH Health & Wellness Centers have been established and Yoga instructors have been engaged in all AYUSH Health & Wellness Centers for promotion of health and prevention of diseases through Yoga Asanas, he added. The Government Unani Medical College and Hospital Ganderbal was granted permission by Central Government to start the First Batch of Bachelors in Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS) course from the academic session of 2020-21 with an intake capacity of 60 seats, he informed.

Meanwhile, the Minister also visited Trout Fish Farm Mammer where he inspected the facilities available in various units like race ways, circular pond, stocking pond, ova house, indoor rearing hatchery, trout feed mill, recreational fish pond and anglers lodge.

The Minister was briefed about the activities and facilities available within the farm like breeding and rearing of rainbow trout fish, sale and distribution of rainbow trout seed to private fish farmers and departmental units, training of private fish farmers regarding trout fish culture practices, facilities for demonstration of hatchery practices to students, research scholars, and private fish farmers besides demonstration of various centrally sponsored schemes to young entrepreneurs.

The Minister was informed that rearing capacity of the farm is 0.25 lakh and hatching capacity is 4 lakh.

Earlier, the Minster inaugurated three-day First Aid/BLS training workshop at Sonamarg in view of Sonamarg Winter Preparedness and keeping the tourist destination spot open during winters.

On the occasion, the Minister was apprised by CMO Ganderbal about the significance of First Aid/BLS Training which is the first if its kind being conducted in Sonamarg keeping in view the opening of Sonamarg to all weather tourist destination.

Later, the minister was briefed by the Master Trainer BLS of DHSK about the BLS modules that are being deliberated to the stakeholders on simulation based methodology.

The Minister appreciated the efforts of the departments and officers/officials associated with such important training workshops.

The Minister also visited to National Fish Seed Farm Manasbal where Chief Project Officer briefed the Minister about the importance of the Farm and the various activities taken for propagation of fish culture both in culture and capture sectors.

Highlighting the achievements of fish seed production, the Minister was informed that about 40.00 Lacs of Carp Fish Fry production was achieved during the year 2022-23, out of which a considerable number of fish seed has been stocked in natural water bodies under aqua-ranching programme and also supplied to various private and Government Carp Fish Farms.

The Minister was briefed about the fish seed production, rearing and subsequent sale of the fish and the fish seed besides the progress of Centrally Sponsored Schemes like Low cost house, Auto Rikshaw, Fishing crafts and gears and other welfare schemes being operated for upliftment of Fishermen community. In addition, the Minister was briefed about the state of art Trout Feed Mill, Manasbal which is catering the demand of Trout Feed in private sector as well as Government throughout UT Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Meanwhile, the Minister visited Manasbal Park where he kick started plantation drive within the park under green Kashmir initiative where he also witnessed the cultural show presented by local artists.

The Minster also visited the P-4, Basic Seed Farm, Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, Manasbal, Safapora.

On the occasion, Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Senior Scientist/Head explained about the Bivoltine Silk of Kashmir and the importance of this station in India which is the only station to maintain the temperate basic silkworm seed as well as mulberry temperate mulberry national and international germplasm bank in India. On the occasion minister also interacted with the sericulture farmers of this district.