Vice-President Advocates for Preventive Healthcare at Pune Ashram Event
Vice-President of India CP Radhakrishnan delivered a compelling address on Sunday, calling for an urgent and decisive shift towards preventive and holistic healthcare models. Speaking at the 81st foundation day celebration of the Nisargopachar Ashram in Uruli Kanchan, near Pune, Radhakrishnan identified lifestyle diseases as a silent epidemic sweeping across the nation.
The Silent Epidemic of Modern Living
Radhakrishnan highlighted that the rapid surge in conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity is directly fueled by contemporary lifestyle factors. "Stress, poor dietary choices, and our increasingly fast-paced lives are creating a public health crisis," he stated. He described these medical conditions as a pervasive threat that requires immediate and collective action.
The Vice-President pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as a stark reminder of the critical need for robust preventive health systems and enhanced mental resilience within the population.
Integrating Traditional and Modern Medicine
While acknowledging the indispensable role of allopathy, particularly for diagnosis and emergency interventions, Radhakrishnan argued for a more comprehensive approach to long-term healing. "True health is not merely the absence of disease, but a state of complete physical, mental, and spiritual well-being," he elaborated.
He championed the integration of India's rich traditional systems, including:
- Naturopathy
- Yoga
- Ayurveda
These disciplines, he suggested, offer vital pathways to sustainable health by addressing the root causes of illness rather than just the symptoms.
Nisargopachar Ashram: A Model for Holistic Care
The event celebrated the 81-year legacy of the Nisargopachar Ashram, founded in 1946 with the vision of making healthcare both affordable and accessible. Radhakrishnan praised the institution for its evolution into a globally recognized centre for natural healing, built on principles of simplicity, discipline, and harmony with nature.
"The ashram's success is a testament to community contribution and a model for holistic development," he noted. Over the decades, the ashram has expanded its mission beyond healthcare to encompass:
- Rural development initiatives
- Training programs in sustainability
- Promoting self-reliance within local communities
Its focused work in preventive healthcare through naturopathy and yoga was highlighted as being increasingly relevant in the current climate of rising lifestyle-related illnesses.
A Call for Simple Living and Collective Action
Radhakrishnan issued a clarion call for a societal shift towards simpler living. He urged citizens to adopt balanced nutrition, engage in regular physical activity, and align their lifestyles more closely with natural rhythms. "Tension is not a disease, but a state of mind," he remarked, emphasizing the importance of managing emotions and maintaining mental equilibrium amidst life's challenges.
He expressed concern that despite improved access to material comforts, societal happiness appears to be declining, driven by rising aspirations and unchecked stress. Building a healthier society, he concluded, demands:
- Collective effort and patience
- A focus on community well-being over individualism
- Closer collaboration between institutions like the ashram and public healthcare systems, especially to enhance delivery in rural areas
The high-profile event was attended by Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Singh, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, Maharashtra Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe, MLA Dnyaneshwar Katke, and Chief Trustee of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Sansthan, Alandi, Bhavartha Ramachandra Dekhane. The program commenced with a welcome speech by the ashram's Managing Trustee, NG Hegde.
