The centuries-old wisdom of Ayurveda holds the key to holistic health and the knowledge offered by the traditional Indian medicine looked through a modern lens will be India’s gift to the world was the conclusion of an insightful session of India Global Forum (IGF) in London this week.
‘Back to the Future? Embracing Holistic Healthcare’ brought together entrepreneur-philanthropist Faizal Kottikollon, Founder & Chairman of KEF Holdings, senior medic and Chair of the UK’s College of Medicine Dr Michael Dixon, and Founder & CEO of the National Centre for Integrative Medicine Dr Elizabeth Thompson.
“Whether it is personalised medicine or cell therapy, Ayurveda spoke about it 2,000 years ago… the knowledge is there, we just have to pull it together, bring it through the modern lens. Today that is what the world is looking for and I think that holistic health is the future,” said Kottikollon, behind Tulah Clinical Wellness – a retreat based on Ayurvedic principles.
Dr Dixon, who pointed out that Ayurveda precedes even Hippocrates – the Greek physician associated with the history of medicine dating back over 2,000 years, highlighted the importance of harnessing the path laid out by the ancient Indian medicinal practice to change modern mindsets.
“Ayurveda preceded Hippocrates, it's the oldest form of medicine and we should respect the wisdom of the past… 75 per cent of diseases are actually caused by the way we live and that means changing minds. It means getting people motivated. It means enabling them to live differently, and many of the lessons of Ayurveda, an ancient medicine, gives you precisely that path,” he shared.
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The healthcare segment of IGF Studio also delved into breaking barriers around mental health and boosting global health security within the context of climate change.
Day 3 concluded with a series of engaging and inspiring conversations with India’s Olympic Gold winning shooter Abhinav Bindra, who shared perspectives on bouncing back from knock-backs in life; actor-philanthropist Vivek Oberoi, who spoke about his family’s Project DEVI initiative to empower women; Pragya Prasun Singh of Atijeevan Foundation, who campaigns for burn victims; and Dr Arunachalam Muruganantham, Founder & CEO of Jayashree Industries, campaigner of female menstrual health and the real-life inspiration behind Akshay Kumar starrer ‘Padman’.
“Success in sport and success in life is really about learning how to fail well. It's about learning to let go of the unwanted baggage failure brings but use each experience as a stepping stone to learn, to grow and to get better,” said Bindra, who is a torchbearer in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
*Info: India Global Forum; Catch up; Project DEVI
