VELLORE: Siddha Vaidyar K P Arjunan, who is also the state president of the Tamil Nadu Parambarya Siddha Vaidya Mahasangam has been nominated as a member in the reconstituted general body of the National Institute of Siddha under the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH). AYUSH functions under the union ministry of health and family welfare, government of India.
Arjunan is the only traditional siddha practitioner (vaidyar) nominated to the 20 member general body. Dr S Mohan, director and member-secretary of the institute in his letter pointed out that the term of office for Arjunan would be up to March 31, 2017.
“It is a big honour and recognition for the traditional practice of siddha medicine,” said Arjunan. He was instrumental in promoting the ‘Nilavembu Kudineer’ a concoction of 12 herbs during the outbreak of dengue in 2012 by organising over 2,000 free camps across the State.
Arjunan said that he has been nominated as member in the sub-committee of ‘varmam’ and ‘bone-setting’ ‘kattu’ and ‘kalangal’ committees under the Scientific Advisory board of the Central Council for Research in Siddha. Dr R S Ramaswamy, director general of the CCRS had conveyed this information to Arjunan recently. He has been practicing siddha medicine for the past 35 years in Vellore and has written two books on siddha medication.