By Abdul Bari Masoud
New Delhi: Jamia Hamdard on Tuesday hosted a function on its campus to commemorate World Unani Day, highlighting the importance and efficacy of the age-old Unani system of medicine in combating the pandemic catastrophe. When it comes to the achievements of Unani medicine, Jamia Hamdard Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) M. Afshar Alam said Hakim Ajmal Khan and Hakim Abdul Hameed’s contributions to its growth are unmatched and unparalleled.
Continuing his address, Prof Alam said both the stalwarts were prominent Unani physicians and institution builders who worked selflessly and tirelessly for the community’s empowerment.
He noted that Jamia Hamdard’s founder, Hakim Abdul Hameed, was a visionary figure in every respect, and that Jamia Hamdard and other institutions are proof of that.
When the Muslim elite began migrating to Pakistan during the turbulent times, Hakim sb was the ones who was busy in buying a large plot of land in an uninhabited and isolated district of Delhi, based on his intuition about the land, the VC added.
He reiterated his commitment to eliminating the shortcomings in the functioning of the School of Unani Medical Education and Research. The VC also made it clear that there was no any move to end the mandatory status of Urdu as medium of instruction for Unani medicine.
“I want to dispel any misgivings about Urdu regarding its status”.
On the occasion speakers underlined that the major goal of World Unani Day is to raise awareness about the Unani system of medicine and its preventive and curative philosophy in healthcare delivery.
They said the programme will serve as a demonstration for the effectiveness of Unani Medicine in addressing today’s health issues. Every year, Unani Day is observed to commemorate the global spread of Unani medicine and to remember the birth anniversary of Unani scholar and social reformer Hakim Ajmal Khan. He was a prominent Indian Unani physician who was a multi-talented genius, a great scholar, a social reformer, a noted freedom warrior, a Unani medical educator, and the originator of scientific study in the Unani System of Medicine.
Vaidya Jayant Deopujari, Chairperson, National Commission for Indian System of Medicine, stressed the importance of communicating information and research findings to the general public, especially in local languages, in his remarks. He advised teachers to gain a thorough understanding of the system and to excite and motivate students.
Prof. Asim Ali Khan, Director General of the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), gave an overview of the Central Council’s research activities. He also told the audience about the research centres in Hyderabad, Srinagar, Chennai, and Aligarh. He emphasised the importance of Wellness Centers, where patients can receive advantages from all Indian Pathies under the AYUSH umbrella. He promised that the Research Council would fund Jamia Hamdard’s collaborative studies.
Prof. Mohammad Idris, Head, PG Department of Ilmul Advia and Saidla, A & U Tibbiya College, Karolbagh, emphasised Unani Medicine’s importance in today’s health scenario. He emphasised the importance of human values in effective therapy and asked Unani Practitioners to treat each patient with the highest kindness and moral standards.
Hammad Ahmed, son of late Hakim Abdul Hameed sahib, Chancellor of Jamia Hamdard and Chief Mutawalli of Hamdard National Foundation, hailed the organising team’s efforts for a successful event and assured Unani School and Jamia Hamdard his full support.
Prof. S.M. Arif Zaidi, Dean of the School of Unani Medical Education and Research, welcomed the guests and underlined Jamia Hamdard’s achievements in the field of Unani Medicine. Syed Saud Akhtar, Registrar of Jamia Hamdard proposed a vote of thanks.