Date:20/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/20/stories/2006032006610300.htm

Other States - Bihar

Bihar IMA to felicitate Ramdev

Seven-day camp yoga camp in Patna

PATNA: The Bihar chapter of Indian Medical Association has decided to felicitate yoga guru Swami Ramdev notwithstanding adverse opinions expressed by a senior member of its national body that the Swami has made derogatory remarks on modern medicine.

``We are working out the modalities for according honour to Baba Ramdev, who is now in the State capital, for his invaluable contribution to healthcare,'' state IMA vice-president Shahjanand said here on Sunday.

Refusing to comment on the reservation expressed by IMA national president-elect Dr Ajay Kumar about the Yoga guru, Dr Shahjanand said a large number of doctors from across the State will be attending Ramdev's seven-day camp beginning on Sunday.

He said the Bihar IMA decided to honour Ramdev for benefiting millions of people through his simple teaching of yoga and pranayam. In fact he himself had been benefited by the asanas and pranayams prescribed by Ramdeo, he added.

Meanwhile disagreeing with the State unit's decision to felicitate Ramdeo, Dr Ajay Kumar in an open letter to his colleagues urged them to prevent people like the Yoga guru from ``maligning the image of our profession''. He alleged Ramdev had made `derogatory' remarks on modern medicine.

Ramdev during the morning session of his camp on Sunday said ``I am not against modern science of medicine, but opposed to huge number of tests recommended by the doctors for a disease for the purpose of earning money.'' ``Majority members of the IMA are not against me. It is only a handful of people having vested interest who are making irrelevant statements against me,'' he added.

PTI