Sri Vijaya Puram, April 11:
A vibrant valedictory function held at the Tagore Government College of Education (TGCE) Auditorium on Friday marked the conclusion of a month-long celebration of World Homoeopathy Day 2025 by the Ayush Wing of the Directorate of Health Services (DHS), Andaman and Nicobar Administration. The program, observed with enthusiasm across the Union Territory, commemorated the 270th birth anniversary of Dr. Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of Homoeopathy.
The event was graced by Dr. Anil Agarwal, IAS, Secretary (Health)/MD (NAM), who attended as the Chief Guest, while Dr. Suja Antony, Director of Health Services, and Padma Shri awardee Naresh Chander Lal were present as Guests of Honour. Senior officials, healthcare professionals, students, and members of the public were among the nearly 150 attendees.
Awareness Through Art and Education
The valedictory programme showcased a variety of engaging and educational activities that underscored Homoeopathy’s role in preventive and curative health care. A skit performed by students of TGCE drew attention to Homoeopathy’s effectiveness in managing various illnesses, while a puppet show focused on child care through Homoeopathic interventions. Both performances received applause for their informative and entertaining delivery.
Adding to the educational value of the event was an exhibition highlighting the principles and practices of Homoeopathy, as well as its growing role in public health. The exhibition was inaugurated by Secretary (Health) Dr. Anil Agarwal, who in his address stressed the gentle yet effective nature of Homoeopathy, particularly for children and the elderly. He lauded the AYUSH systems for their holistic contributions to healthcare and encouraged the continuation of awareness efforts across the islands.
Grassroots Engagement and Public Outreach
Delivering remarks as the Brand Ambassador of the Swachh Bharat Mission, Naresh Chander Lal praised the Ayush Wing for successfully engaging with various sections of society during the month-long celebrations. He urged the health department to extend the skit performances to other parts of the islands to deepen public awareness. He also commended the cleanliness maintained at Ayush Hospital, calling on the public to support hygiene across all health institutions in the UT.
The event included a prize distribution ceremony where dignitaries awarded certificates and prizes to winners of various competitions held during the campaign, including the Healthy Mother & Happy Child Show, poster contests, and quiz events. Students who actively participated in the month-long events were also felicitated.
Dr. Kalyan P. Kadbhane, Deputy Director (AYUSH), welcomed the gathering, and a brief report on the campaign activities was presented by Dr. Supria Arangi, MO (Homoeo), Ayush Hospital. Dr. Rajiv Ghosh proposed the vote of thanks, while the programme was coordinated by Dr. Manabika Dutta, MO I/c (Homoeo) and her team.
Island-wide Campaign Draws to a Close
Throughout the month of April, Homoeopathic units across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands organized awareness campaigns, outreach camps, and interactive programmes to promote understanding of Homoeopathy’s role in modern healthcare. The campaign aimed to demystify common misconceptions and showcase Homoeopathy’s place alongside conventional medical systems.
While some healthcare experts continue to debate the scope of Homoeopathy, the increasing participation in such campaigns reflects a growing public interest in integrative and holistic approaches to health and wellness. The administration has indicated its intent to continue similar multi-platform awareness drives in the future, with a focus on reaching rural and remote island communities.
