Dharamshala: The Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute (TMAI) also known as Men-Tsee-Khang celebrated its 58th founding anniversary in exile earlier today at the institute’s auditorium.
The chief guest at the ceremony was Kalon Choekyong Wangchuk, Department of Health and the special guest was Dr. Gurdarshan Gupta, Chief Medical Officer of Kangra District, HP. Other dignitaries at the occasion include Head of Public Service Commission, Secretary of Department of Health, Tibetan Parliamentarians, retired CTA civil servants, and Tibet supporters.
The chief guest of the anniversary ceremony, Kalon Choekyong Wangchuk, Department of Health, Congratulated the TMAI on its 58thanniversary in exile and emphasized on the need to continue its hard work on Tibetan medical and astrological education. He also expressed his deep appreciation for all the former as well as present staff for their service to the institute and said: “I feel proud of the Men-Tsee-Khang for their service to mankind.”
On his keynote statement, Health Kalon said there are many people undergoing psychological or mental health issues. As of Mental hygiene, he suggested how it can be obtained simply by listening to the advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and not to hold grudges in practical sense. He substantiated his point on maintenance of mental hygiene by being open minded and friendly in society, family and school.
Emphasising on striving hard for integration, Health Kalon suggested integration of Tibetan herbal medicinal and modern allopathy, which is famous in India. He exclaimed “It is utmost necessary to develop additional learning on our own medical knowledge. By keeping our own knowledge and culture, we can also learn from other cultures too. This would be additional learning and beneficial too. Since there are various opportunities for the doctors and astrologers to travel abroad, we can exchange our learning of medicinal and astrological practices. There are many new diseases emerging so TMAI can also work on that.”
“I deeply appreciate the future endeavors and the vision of the institute’s expansion in other countries and places,” he remarked. He continued: “Also for the astrologers, we can learn the Indian way of astrology along Tibetan astrology.”
Furthermore, he said “A topic on Women Empowerment is highlighted by many people in our society, but that at TMAI Women Empowerment is very visible as majority of women bagged the prizes academically.”
Speaking at the ceremony, Special guest Dr. Gurdarshan Gupta remarked: “ It gives me immense pleasure to be with you at this anniversary function as well as graduation function of the younger Doctors, both graduate, and post-graduate.”
“The latest thinking of global is not one particular system of medicine but a holistic approach to health hazard. It has got popularity in the USA and all over the world. Lately, even in India, we are following the holistic approach to medicine. The Ministry of Health, Government of India established separate ministries of Ayush, for traditional systems like Unani, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Tibetan Medicine, encouraging these systems to grow in a big way. World Health Organisation defines health not only the absence of diseases but state of complete physical, social and mental well-being. One single system cannot address these issues, we have to approach the issue of health in a similar way so that our purpose to serve mankind and humanity,” he continued.
Furthermore, he congratulated the degree holders both graduates and postgraduates, and urged them to dedicate their lives for the service of mankind. He encouraged the graduates to practice what the faculty and respected teachers have taught them all these years.”
“From now onward you all have greater responsibilities. I congratulate you, teachers and parents,” he concluded.
Mr. Tsering Tashi, Director of TMAI, read out a brief historical background of the Tibetan medical institute and the annual report of the institute and quoted what His Holiness said on the establishment year of TMAI in India in the year 1961. That Tibetan medicine will speak for itself in 30-40 years and it is indeed true.
The ceremony also saw a presentation of awards to the position holders continued with giving the certificates to both graduates and postgraduates. The ceremony hall was crowded with a huge number of people including staff, students, well-wishers, sponsors, and head of various Tibetan organisations.
The awards for the staff who have served for 30 years and 20 years were presented consecutively.
Kalon Choekyong Wangchuk inaugurated some of newly published books of TMAI at the ceremony.