Herbs and Medicinal Plants Day celebrated

The second Jadi and Buti Divas (Herbs and Medicinal Plants Day) was celebrated at many places in the state. The main function on the occasion was held at Swami Ram Dev's Patanjali Yogpeeth at Bahadrabad, 10 Kms from Roorkee. It may be recalled here that the birthday of Acharya Bal Krishan, a close aide of Swami Ram Dev and general secretary of the Patanjali Yogpeeth, falls on August 4. Last year, in a function at Patanjali Yogpeeth organized to celebrate the birthday of Acharya Bal Krishan, the chief minister of the state Dr. Ramesh Pokhiriyal Nishank declared that henceforth Aug 4 would be celebrated in the state as the Herbs and Medicinal Plants Day to highlight the valuable contribution of Acharya Balkrishan in conducting research on herbs and medicinal plants and popularizing their health benefits.

On the occasion, eminent agriculture scientist Professor M.S. Swaminathan and veteran social activist Anna Hazare were honoured with the Patanjali Krishi Gaurav Award and a cash reward of Rs. one lakh each for their outstanding contributions in the fields of agriculture and social service respectively. In the absence of Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, his award was received by his representative. A prominent vaidya of the country, Dr. Mayaram Uniyal was honoured with Patanjali Ayurved Gaurav Award and given a cash reward of Rs. one lakh for his distinguished contribution in the field of Ayurveda. Speaking on the occasion, Anna Hazare said that while receiving Patanjali Krishi Gaurav Award, he felt more proud than he did when he received Padam Bhushan and Padam Shree awards.

Addressing the gathering, Baba Ram Dev Said that the herbs and medicinal plants were integral parts of Ayurveda and ancient Indian wisdom. He exhorted the farmers to take up the cultivation of herbal and medicinal plants, which is more lucrative than the cultivation of traditional crops. Acharya Bal Krishan informed that Patanjali Yogpeeth would bring out Herbs and Medicinal Plants Encyclopedia. "The encyclopedia will contain detailed information about various species of herbs and medicinal plants, like Neem and Tulsi, and their healing properties. It will be a repository of our traditional wisdom regarding the medicinal value of herbs and plants and also of domestic recipes for common ailments, which have been orally transmitted to us by traditions and folklore," said Bal Krishan.