Date:28/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/28/stories/2008122854130400.htm

New Delhi

Ansari unveils Hakim Abdul Hameed Award

Staff Reporter

— Photo: Sushil Kumar Verma.

Vice-President Hamid Ansari along with Hamdard National Foundation president Abdul Mueed (right) releasing a book during the inauguration of birth centenary celebrations of Hakim Abdul Hameed at Jamia Hamdard University in New Delhi on Saturday.

NEW DELHI: To commemorate the birth centenary of the pioneer of Unani medicine, Hakim Abdul Hameed, Vice-President Hamid Ansari on Saturday unveiled the Hakim Abdul Hameed Award for outstanding contribution in the field of Unani and Ayurveda.

Addressing a ceremony organised at Jamia Hamdard University here, Mr. Ansari said people need to follow the ideals of the late Hakim Abdul Hameed who blended the traditional medicinal system with modern science and took the benefits of Unani to the common man.

“Hameed left behind a legacy of social service. He transformed the small Unani clinic Hamdard, set up by his father, into Hamdard University which is now offering training and education in areas of Unani medicines,” said the Vice-President.

Describing Hameed as a common man with practical common sense and precision of expression, the Vice-President said his dream to make available Unani medicine on scientific lines led to the establishment of 25 educational research institutes at Jamia Hamdard.

“The centres not only concentrate on research of Unani but also conduct similar activities in the areas of business management and Islamic studies,” he added.

As part of the centenary celebrations, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit released a biography of Hameed, who was physician, philanthropist and founder of Hamdard (Wakf) Laboratories.

A tribute

Speaking on the occasion, Hamdard (Wakf) Laboratories Chairman A. Mueed described Hakim Sahib as a visionary who saw the relevance of natural medicine to provide quality health care to the masses at affordable cost.

“The inception of the Hakim Abdul Hameed Award is a tribute to the life of Hakim Sahib who fostered advancement in the field of natural medicine through scientific research. As the leading proponent of natural medicine, we at Hamdard believe that the torch lit by Hakim Sahib must be carried forward for generations ahead. We hope the awards will not only encourage research in natural medicines, both Unani and Ayurveda, but will also lead to the development of new formulations,” he said.

Hakim Sahib modernised and popularised Unani medicine by taking up the challenging task of translating the basic source book of Unani system of medicine into English. This work progressed under his supervision for 40 years. Due to his exemplary work, the thousand years of Unani knowledge will be available to more and more people.

With his dedication and passion for Unani, Hameed transformed the small Unani clinic Hamdard set up by his father in a by-lane of Old Delhi into a modern day enterprise which today offers over 600 natural and herb-based quality Unani medicines and wellness products across the country.

The Hakim Abdul Hameed Award for outstanding contribution in the field of natural medicine will carry a cash prize of Rs.3 lakh along with a recognition certificate. There will also be two runners-up awards carrying prizes of Rs.2 lakh and Rs.1 lakh respectively.