New Delhi, Sep 10 : The Union Cabinet today approved The Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2009 for amending the 1970 Act to grant recognition to the System of 'Sowa-Rigpa' commonly known as 'Amchi' which is one of the oldest surviving systems of medicine in the world and is popular in the Himalayan region of India.\
The theory and practices of 'Sowa-Rigpa' are similar to Ayurveda, and also include a few principles of traditional Chinese medicine.
The fundamental text book rgyud-bzi of the system is believed to have been taught by Buddha himself and is closely linked with Buddhist philosophy.
Briefing medipersons about the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said the Government had received representations from various quarters to grant recognition to the System of Sowa-Rigpa to enable it get a legal status, for which amendments to section 2,3,8,9 and 17 of the Indian Medicine Central Council Act 1970, need to be carried out.
The proposed amendments shall give effect to the inclusion of 'Sowa-Rigpa' under sections 2,3,8,9 and 17 of the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970 thereby recognizing this system legally, she said.
It is expected that the legal recognition of 'Sowa-Rigpa' will lead to the protection and preservation of this ancient system of medicine and will help in its propagation and development. This will also open new vistas leading to collaborative research and scientific validation of the system, besides conservation and protection of the medicinal plants/minerals used in the system.
The recognition of the traditional system will also lead to the setting up of a mechanism to regulate its education and practice, she said .
UNI
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