Panaji, March 20 (IANS) Sanjeevani, a medicinal herb mentioned in the epic Ramayana which Lord Hanuman fetched from the Himayalas to cure Lord Ram's wounded brother Lakshman, is mythological and not even mentioned in the Ayurvedas, claims a health expo organiser in Goa.
The expo is jointly hosted by the state and central governments and a health sector NGO linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Speaking to IANS on the sidelines of an event to announce the three-day Ayushmaan Bharat health expo, one of the organisers Aditya Barve said Goa has good climatic conditions to grow medicinal herbs and the conference would educate farmers about the financial benefits of tapping the alternative medicine market.
When asked if the conference, which is expected to host giants from the alternative medicine industry in India, would look to explore the possibility of tracing the miraculous Sanjeevani, Barve said the herb was "mythological".
"No evidence is found. In Ayurveda text, there is no Sanjeevani mentioned as far as my knowledge is concerned," Barve said.
The reference to Sanjeevani comes when Hanuman was sent to the Himalayas to locate and fetch the herb to heal Lakshmana, Lord Rama's brother who was injured in a battle. Hanuman's flight to the icy mountains and procuring the herb yields results as Lakshmana was healed by the herb-based poultice.
The Goa conference is being organised by Arogya Bharti, a Bhopal-based NGO linked to the RSS, the Goa government and the newly formed union ministry for AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy).
Deepak Ghume, an Arogya Bharti office-bearer who is anchoring the conference, said the event will focus on drugs which are locally available and whose cultivation can fetch good money.
"Primarily we are looking at endangered species which need to be planted and nurtured in forests and those medicines which are needed in society," said Ghume, Arogya Bharti's regional head.
"Goa has seven pharmaceutical companies. The state has a lot of potential to grow medicinal herbs. What we are trying to do right now is to create a synergy between companies, farmers and the available potential," he said.
The conference, which gets underway on March 27, would host representatives of pharma companies, medicinal herb experts, farmers who have shifted to cultivating medicinal herbs and alternative medical professionals.
"In the beginning, we are getting farmers together so that they can learn how to farm the medicinal plants and what scope this kind of farming provides. For this we have brought experts to the expo who will be guiding them," Barve said.
"Goa has good climate in which certain herbs can be grown anywhere like aloe vera, adulsa and neem. If we can cultivate them properly, this raw material can be dried and supplied to pharmaceutical companies to prepare medicines. This can be a good opportunity for farmers," Barve said.
AUS vs. PAK: What did David Warner do after leaving batting? A repeated feat in ODI cricket after 11 years
Before the start of the ICC World Cup 2023, Australia is facing Pakistan in a warm-up match. Batting first, the Kangaroo team scored 351 runs on the scoreboard after losing 7 wickets in 50 overs.
Effect of new privacy policy: 15% of users will leave WhatsApp completely, 36% will reduce usage before
There is a lot of discussion on social media these days about WhatsApp's new privacy policy. People are presenting their opinion about this. Meanwhile, other applications like signal and telegram are
Punjab to launch solar power scheme for farmers
Chandigarh, March 15 (IANS) Agrarian state Punjab's hard-working farmers could look forward to the end of some of their power-cut woes with the state government planning to launch soon a
Separate track for goods trains: Modi started the section of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor, said - farmers will also benefit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the New Bhaupur-New Khurja section of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) through video conferencing. The advantage will be that trains will not be
21st anniversary of 9/11: The mastermind of the attack is imprisoned in a Cuban prison for 19 years, trial not yet held
The terrorist attack on America's World Trade Center completed 21 years on Sunday. 2 thousand 977 people were killed in this terrorist attack. Even after two decades, the trial of the case against the
PM Modi spoke to NGO in Varanasi, said- Karma does not ask for fruits, serves selflessly
Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke to the representatives of his parliamentary constituency Varanasi through video conferencing. During this time, the PM repeated a couplet of
Sameer Wankhede Transferred: Former NCB officer involved in the investigation of Aryan Khan drugs case, Sameer Wankhede transferred to Chennai
Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Sameer Wankhede has been transferred as Director-General in the Directorate of Taxpayer Services, Chennai. Sameer was the head of the Narcotics Control Bureau
The process of returning home of Indians from war-torn Ukraine continues, the Ministry of External Affairs said - many students left Kharkiv
Today is the eighth day of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine will once again negotiate during the war. There will be talks between the two countries on the Poland-Belarus border
IPL auction final list: 590 players will be bidding, 370 Indians and 220 foreigners; Auction on February 12-13
This year's IPL mega auction will be held on February 12 and 13 in Bengaluru. On Tuesday, BCCI has released a list of 590 players who will be part of the auction. These players will include 355
IPL Records: Dhawan will complete 600 fours this time, becoming the first player to do so; It is difficult to match Warner and Kohli this season
The 14th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is scheduled to begin on 9 April. The final will be played on 30 May. This time, Delhi Capitals opener Shikhar Dhawan has a chance to complete 600