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Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Ayurveda gets the spotlight in new documentary, The Double Helix of Life
A powerful new documentary on Ayurveda—Ayurveda: The Double Helix of Life—just had its grand premiere in New Delhi. Clocking in at 90 minutes and shot in English, the film dives deep into how this ancient Indian system of medicine might just be the answer to some of modern healthcare's biggest challenges. The premiere took place at the Film Division Theatre. Union Minister of State for AYUSH and Health & Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, and AYUSH Secretary Rajesh Kotecha were there to do the honors, alongside a lineup of dignitaries from the health and wellness space. The film, produced by Dr. A.V. Anoop under AVA Productions in collaboration with the Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturers Organisation of India (AMMOI), is directed by Vinod Mankara. Attendees included major voices in the Ayurvedic and medical world—Dr. P Ramkumar (AMMOI President), E.T. Neelakandan Moos (AMMOI Treasurer), Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya (Director General of CCRAS), Padma Shri Vaidya Balendu Prakash, Sanjay Shrivastava of Maharishi Ayurveda , and Promod Sharma from Baidyanath. So, what's the big message? That Ayurveda isn't just about herbal powders and yoga poses—it's a holistic, preventive approach backed by actual research. The film busts common myths that Ayurveda is all belief and no science, and instead shows how it's supported by over a thousand peer-reviewed studies, modern lab testing, and real-world case stories. With chronic illnesses like diabetes, arthritis, and autoimmune diseases draining healthcare systems across the U.S., Germany, and Switzerland, The Double Helix of Life argues that Ayurveda offers something mainstream medicine often lacks—prevention. And when it's supported by evidence, it's not just effective—it's cost-efficient and low on side effects too. 'Ayurveda gives us tools to not just treat, but prevent disease,' says Dr. A.V. Anoop. 'It's time to shift from managing symptoms to addressing root causes.' Director Vinod Mankara adds, 'This film isn't just about looking back at tradition—it's about looking ahead. Ayurveda is already included in wellness insurance in countries like Germany and Switzerland. In India, it's part of the Ayushman Bharat mission. It can really ease the pressure on our public health system.'
The Hindu
10-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Ayurvedic medicine manufacturers support move to launch integrated medicine course at JIPMER
Even as the Indian Medical Association (IMA) is opposing the move to launch an integrated course combining Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) courses at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, the Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturers Organisation of India (AMMOI) has welcomed the proposal. P. Ramkumar and D. Ramanathan, AMMOI president, and general secretary, respectively, said that the World Health Organisation had been taking steps to integrate traditional medicine systems under the traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine initiative. Studies had proved that combining the advantages of various branches of medicine was beneficial. The co-location scheme of the Union government providing Ayush treatment along with modern medicine treatment at primary health centres, community health centres, and district hospitals and the integrative medicine departments launched at Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College-Safdarjung Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College Hospital, New Delhi, were meant to take forward this idea. They highlighted the rising demand for Ashwagandha, an Indian herb, in the global market, as an example of the people's preference for traditional systems of medicine. However, teachers in government medical colleges in Kerala said on Monday that they were clueless about how the proposal would shape up. They said that other than media reports, none had any idea about the syllabus to be followed. The IMA had earlier said that the mixing of medicine systems had failed in China, which also 'resulted in decimation of their traditional medicine'. Dr. Ramkumar and Dr. Ramanathan, meanwhile, claimed that those who learn modern medicine would not be able to complete their studies without studying about Sushruta, who is considered to be the father of surgery. More than 25% of drugs manufactured in any branch of medicine are derived from plants, they said, quoting studies. They claimed that launching an integrated MBBS-BAMS course at JIPMER would help practitioners of modern medicine understand the possibilities of Ayurveda. It would also help dismiss certain campaigns on social media against the perceived side-effects of Ayurvedic drugs. They also claimed that integrative medicine would help reduce the dependence on drugs by 50% and help people lead a healthy life.
