Kochi: For couples struggling to have children, infertility is becoming an issue which needs immediate redressal or else it has the potential of dangerously spiraling out of control. Keeping in view the urgency of the issue, a first of its kind two day national seminar on management of infertility in ayurveda called ‘Prajnanam’ will be conducted in association with Amrita School of Ayurveda at the Amrita School of Ayurveda, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham on February 1 and 2, 2019. The seminar will be inaugurated by the Governor of Kerala, P. Sathasivam.

Over 1200 participants from across 10 states and 40 Ayurveda institutes across India are expected to participate in this mega event which will be the first of its kind to be organized in the country on the topic of ‘Infertility in Ayurveda’. As part of this seminar, there will be an Ashtanga Hridaya Pārāyaṇa (Śloka recitation) competition on selected ślokas from the chapters RasāyanaVidhi and VājīkaraṇaVidhi along with research papers and presentations by participants. Prajnanam – 2019 will also witness discussions on infertility by various researchers and expert doctors in the area. The selected abstracts of this conference will be published in an indexed scientific journal.

Speaking about the need for the seminar, M. R. Vasudevan Namboothiri, Principal, Amrita School of Ayurveda said, “Prajnanam 2019 will be the largest and the most comprehensive research based seminar to be organised in India, exploring the vast opportunities available in Ayurveda to treat infertility related problems. In a world that needs vigorous control of population growth, concerns about infertility may seem odd, but the adoption of a small family norm makes the issue of involuntary infertility more pressing. If couples are urged to postpone or widely space pregnancies, it is imperative that they should be helped to achieve pregnancy when they so decide in the limited time available.”

The seminar will see presentations and detailed discussions on principles, practices, evaluation and differentiation of female and male infertility and various solutions available as well as the advancements made in the field in Ayurveda. Other dignitaries present at the event will include Prof. Dr. Sujatha Kadam, Dean Academics, All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi; Dr Sucharitha L, recognized RAV Guru, Pandit Clinic, Bangalore; Dr. M. A. Asmabi, Govt. Ayurveda Medical Officer, Kerala; Dr. Mamatha KV, Medical Superintendent, SDM College of Ayurveda, Udupi and Dr Jyothi R Pillai, Assistant Professor Department of Reproductive Medicine among others.

Dr. Ananth Ram Sharma, Professor, Department of Panchakarma, Amrita School of Ayurveda and organising secretary of Prajnanam, 2019 said, “It is estimated that over 27 million families in India are affected by infertility issues. Infertility is causing people physiological, emotional and mental challenges in the long run. The science of Ayurveda, with its holistic approach can modify every aspect of an individual including physical, emotional and spiritual levels. The Rasayana (rejuvenation therapy) and Vajeekarana (aphrodisiac therapy), which are integral branches of Ayurveda, have great potential in this area. Rasayana and Vajeekarana targeting the agni at the cellular and tissue level modulates the formation and transformation of rasaadi dhatus with optimal quality, generating precursors for a good progeny. We are organising Prajnanam, 2019 to evoke and propagate different perspectives on this noble thought. This seminar is a unique platform for researchers as well as practitioners of Ayurveda to showcase their work in ‘Ayurveda and Infertility’.”