Indian Parliament Passes Bill to Recognise Sowa-Rigpa [Wednesday, 1 September 2010, 4:53 p.m.]
Dharamshala:
A legislation to bring Sowa-Rigpa system medicine into the country’s
mainstream medical system was passed in the Rajya Sabha or the upper
house of the Indian Parliament on 25 August.Earlier replying to
a debate on the Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2010
in the Lok Sabha, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said: “It would be
the endeavour of the government to bring to mainstream Sowa-Rigpa
system of medicine in regions where it is prevalent.” The bill was then passed by a voice vote by the Lok Sabha.Sowa-Rigpa
system of medicine is practised in sub-Himalayan region and other parts
of the country besides Tibet, Mongolia, Japan and some other countries,
Mr Azad said.Mr Azad said the bill will ensure protection and
preservation of this ancient system of medicine and will help its
propagation and development. Besides, it would lead to setting up of a
regulatory mechanism in the field of education and practice of
Sowa-Rigpa.He said the government had also decided to set up a
Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Systems of Medicine, which now
would also include Sowa-Rigpa. The passage of the bill will
enable setting minimum standards for education and maintain a register
of all practitioners of Sowa-Rigpa.
