Centre to establish Siddha Medical College in Tamil Nadu, says Ayush minister Dr Munjpara

Trichy: Central government is going to make efforts to establish a Siddha Medical College in Tamil Nadu. The confirmation to this news has been given by the Union Minister of state for Women and Child Development and Ayush Dr Munjpara Mahendrabhai Kalubhai.

He gave the informations while attending the 6th day of the Siddha Day celebration in Trichy. The Siddha Day is celebrated to commemorate the birth of sage Agathiyar Siddhar. The theme of this year's Siddha Day was “Siddha Diet and Nutrition for Healthy Life.”  

The event was organised by the Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS), the National Institute of Siddha (Chennai) and the Directorate of Indian Medicine & Homeopathy of Tamil Nadu. 

As per a recent media report by Times of India, Munjapara stated, “I will surely try to allot one siddha medical college to Tamil Nadu after discussing it with our ministry officials and the ministry of finance." 

Additionally, a Siddha herbal expo was held. The minister said during his speech that this academic year would see the introduction of an undergraduate siddha course at Chennai's National Institute of Siddha.

While announcing the probability of a new Siddha college, the minister further stated that the contribution of siddha medicines, including kabasura kudineer in handling the Covid-19 patients should not be undermined. 

In order to promote the discipline of siddha all over the country, Trichy Lok Sabha MP from Congress Su Thirunavukkarasar has also requested the minister to rebrand Siddha Day as National Siddha Day. He also suggested setting up the All India Institute of Siddha (AIIS) in Tamil Nadu, reports the daily.

Tamil Nadu has always attributed importance on traditional disciplines of medicine. In 2020, with the increasing number of COVID victims all over the country, the Tamil Nadu government had claimed 100 percent success rate of traditional Siddha treatment as a strategy to fight against COVID-19. Minister K Pandiarajan himself has vouched for its effectiveness.