Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Dakshin Prant, Tamil Nadu Vibhag, Natural Resources Development Project (VK-NARDEP) organised a National Seminor on “Traditional Siddha Varmam management for Neurological Disorder” on 19th January-2025 at Eknath Auditorium, Gramodaya Park, Vivekanandapuram, Kanyakumari. 150 participated in the program including seminar participants and guests.
Dr. T. Kannan Rajaram, from the Center for Varma Medicine & Research, Kanyakumari, was the chief guest. Dr. V. Sujatha, Professor at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems (CSSS), Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and Sri Muneeswaran, HOD of the Department of Varma, Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai, were the other distinguished guests.
The program began with the lighting of the lamp by dignitaries and a prayer. Sri. Ramakrishnan Ji, Prakalpa Pramukh, gave a brief introduction about VK-Nardep and welcomed all the guests and participants to the program. Following that, Dr. Muthusanthi, MD, VK-GHH, explained the objective of the seminar and elaborated on why the topic of neurological disorders was chosen. She also emphasized the responsibility of Varma practitioners to protect the practice and pass it on to the next generation.
Adharneeya Sri Vasudeo Ji, Prakalpa Sangatak, delivered the presidential address. He began by discussing Nardep’s work over the past four decades and highlighted the Green Health Home (GHH) and three years Varma course offered by VK-nardep. He also spoke about how traditional medicine methods were preserved and passed down only through selected families, and how VK-Nardep aims to break this tradition and make the knowledge accessible to everyone. He expressed his happiness regarding the Government of India’s recent support for the Ministry of Ayush. He concluded by stating that, according to the Indian system of medicine, food itself is considered medicine, and stressed the need to show the world this path of traditional medicine.
Dr. T. Kannan Rajaram, the chief guest, delivered his address. He praised Nardep’s work in the field of Varma therapy and explained its specialties. He highlighted that many diseases, which are difficult to treat by other forms of medicine, can be treated through Varma. He stressed the importance of clinical study methods and research methodology, noting that only through these will the scientific community recognize and accept the practice. He shared exceptional cases of Varma treatment based on his experience and emphasized that we have yet to fully understand the complete potential of Varma. He concluded by urging everyone to participate in more conferences like this, as only through research will we be able to sustain these traditional methods for future generations.
The ID cards and membership certificates for the new members of the Varma Research and Resource Center (VRRC) were distributed by Adharneeya Vasudeo Ji and other dignitaries on the dais.
Dr. V. Sujatha addressed the participants and gave a brief introduction to her field, the Sociology of Medicine, and provided a summary of her research. She praised the integrated nature of traditional medicine methods and stressed the importance of skill, strategy, and discipline for practitioners. She emphasized the value of using an integrated system of traditional medicine to serve diverse societies. Dr. Sujatha also expressed her hope to see this alternative system of medicine become one of the mainstream forms of medical practice.
Adharneeya Sri Vasudeo Ji felicitated all the guests on the dais.
The inauguration was followed by paper presentations from five selected participants, each presenting case studies focused on neurological disorders. The panel, which included Dr. T. Kannan Rajaram, Sri Muneeswaran, Vaidyar Chinnapoo Aasaan, Vaidyar Mani Aasaan, Sri. Thenkarai Maharaja Pillai, Dr. D. Suresh Kumar, and Dr. V. Sujatha, engaged with the presenters, providing valuable feedback and fostering interactive discussions on their papers. Dr. Muthusanthi led the paper presentation sessions.
A dedicated session on “Food and Medicine” was conducted by Dr. V. Sujatha. She expressed her concern that food has increasingly become commodified, whereas it should be regarded as a vital element of life. Dr. Sujatha emphasized the importance of traditional and locally sourced foods, noting that such knowledge is crucial for maintaining health. She highlighted the alarming trend where traditional foods are being commercialized, exported, and gradually disappearing from local communities. As a result, people may soon be forced to rely on non-traditional foods. She stressed that innovation is necessary to make traditional foods more accessible to everyone, ensuring their preservation and continued relevance in modern society.
Dr. D. Suresh Kumar delivered a session on “Narambiyal Soothiram,” where he discussed various important nerves in the body.
The concluding session was held at 3:30 PM, with Mananeeya Sri Hanumantarao Ji, All India Vice President of VRM & VK, presiding over the event. Vaidyar Mani Aasaan, Vaidyar Palasan, Vaidyar Chinnapoo Aasaan, and Dr. D. Suresh Kumar were also present. Sri Ramakrishnan ji extended a warm welcome to the guests.
Mananeeya Hanumantarao Ji delivered the Asirvachan (blessing address), beginning by stating that India is a land rich in everything needed for a fulfilling life. He emphasized the importance of living in harmony with nature. He also spoke about Sage Agasthya and recalled his contribution through the “Aditya Hrudayam,” which helped Lord Rama triumph over Ravana. He stressed that we must first practice the traditional methods we preach—both for our own well-being and to inspire confidence in the methods among others. Only by embodying these practices can we truly build trust in both ourselves and the medicine. He concluded by stating that, beyond training, certification, or professional roles, the sharing of knowledge with others is of utmost importance.
Maa. Hanumantharao Ji and other dignitaries distributed Varma Course Completion Certificates to the students and Seminar Participation Certificates to all participants. Dr. Kumaresan, VK-GHH delivered the vote of thanks, and the program was concluded with Shanti mantra.
The one-day national seminar was organized efficiently and seamlessly by VK-Nardep team led by Sri Ramakrishnan Anna, Prakalpa Pramukh and Sri Vijayaragavan Anna, Vyavastha Pramukh, under the guidance of Adharneeya Sri Vasudeo Ji, Prakalpa Sangatak, VK-NARDEP.
