"Move Today For A Healthier Tomorrow"

Meeting on 6th October 
Meeting started with the invocation of prayer by Wr. Dr. Sharada Reddy.

The chief guest and speaker of the day Dr. Reji Thomas was introduced to the audience by Wr. R. Muralidharan, as a native of the Land of Ayurveda, Kerala A graduate in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery from Ernakulam, he is the Medical Director of Heritage Kerala Ayurvedic Health Centres, Visakhapatnam. He is also the visiting consultant to an Ayurvedic centre at Mauritius. Apart from his professional activities, Dr. Thomas is conscious of his social responsibilities, and has conducted 36 free health check-up camps within a span of three years at Vizag. He has dedicated his eyes to a charitable society, to be useful to some needy person. He is a talented singer which was quite evident when he started his speech with a slokam in a very pleasing note.

EXCERPTS FROM Dr. REJI THOMAS'S SPEECH

A healthy walker never feels as if he carries a load on his legs. This blissful lightness is one that symbolizes good health. A sick person becomes a 'burden' to himself first. Ayurveda, the science of life, had its origin in the pre-historic period. Through a lot of improvisations by stalwart practitioners, it effectively meets the needs in the service of mankind today. Ayurveda is well documented, based on 'Tridosha' theory, with its roots in Indian philosophy. Ayurveda categorises the structural and functional system of the body under three regulatory factors. Kapha factor represent the constructive (anabolic) changes. Pitha regulates the energy releasing mechanisms through catabolic changes. 'Vatha' co-ordinates the above two and maintains the harmony of the system. This harmony represents health and any break in the equilibrium results in disease.

Many of our habits and interests are determined by our basic constitution, that is 'Prakruthi' in Ayurveda. An understanding of one's Prakruthi is helpful to maintain health, through preventive measures. For example, Pitha Prakruthi is prone to acid-peptic diseases. Knowing oneself is the very first goal towards good health.

Ayurveda's pharmacopoeia is nature herself. There is nothing in the world without medicinal value. But one should identify the right drug at the right time, analyzing its properties. Masters of Ayurveda in ancient India did the same wonderfully and documented the findings thousands of years ago!.

Kerala, blessed by nature is well known for curative therapies for chronic ailments. More than twenty special procedures are performed in different diseases. Kerala massages are performed by two trained therapists in a synchronized manner with highly medicated oils and herbal extracts only. He warned the members to be aware of quacks. Nourishing and regenerative therapies control degenerative diseases effectively. They improve bone density, tone up muscles, improve circulation of blood and lymph and brush up neurological functions. The prescriptions often differ for different patients for the same disease in Ayurveda, because the consultation and treatment is based on one's constitution, physical and mental status, habits, family history, occupational hazards etc.

Dr. Thomas's speech, which was very informative, delivered with crystal clear clarity, gave an insight to the audience about 'Ayurveda', which prompted many to ask questions on various topics and were answered by the speaker to the satisfaction of the members. Wr. C. Hanumantha Rao, the founder president presented a memento to the speaker.