The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

HEALTH

A non-violent cure

Homeopathy cures untreatable diseases like cancer, cardiac affections, renal failures, rheumatism, skin diseases etc, says Dr Paramjeet Singh Ranu. He speaks to Manish Kumar Singal.

Homeopathy is a science that has been acknowledged by the World Health Organisation. Even the armed forces have homeopathic doctors on their panels for stress related problems of the troops, says Dr Paramjeet Singh Ranu.

Dr. Ranu, a Homoeo Rattan award winner, is the national president of the Indian Homeopathic Medical Association. He is presently running his Ranu Homeopathic Hospital in Ludhiana and is the chairman of Punjab Homeopathic Council (under the auspices of Ministry of Medical Education & Research, Punjab Government).

Dr. Ranu started his career after getting a degree of DHMS and preferred to serve the patients of his town and surrounding areas. Later, he became a Member of the Central Council of Homeopathy. Dr. Ranu believes that homeopathy is a “non-violent” method of curing patients. “It is a perfect science and even better than Allopathy.’’

In a conversation with the NCR Tribune, Dr. Ranu talks about his passion for homeopathy.

What is the scope of Homeopathy in India?

Homeopathy has a worldwide scope as it has been accepted as a second line of treatment by the World Health Organisation. It has been also accepted as a viable and safe system of medicine in the country. Moreover, it has a strong acceptance among the public as a unique stream of health care.

Who was the founder of Homeopathy?

Dr Samuel Christian Fredrick Hahnneman of Germany was the founder of Homeopathy. He was an Allopathic, but during his research he discovered the principles of Homeopathy. Now, it is a big medicine industry and accepted worldwide.

What type of diseases does Homeopathy cure compared to Allopathy?

Here, the concept differs as Homeopathy cures the sick and not the disease. Disease is the language of sickness, which manifests in the body as symptoms. There is an adage, ‘Man Raji to Tan Raji’ (If the mind and soul are perfect, then physical health is perfect). Homeopathy cures untreatable diseases like cancer, cardiac affections, renal failures, rheumatism, skin diseases etc. There are reports of patients suffering from dreaded disease like AIDS, where they were found to be symptom free after treatment. Homeopathy can also prevent renal transplant or haemodylasis.

Have you ever come across any patients suffering from haemodylasis who was either cured by you or any other doctor of Homeopathy?

Yes, there are hundreds of examples. We have also seen patients suffering from cancer who had been written off. Allopathic doctors had declared that their disease was not amenable to treatment. And yet Homeopathy cured them and they have been living a healthy life for many years.

Have you ever come across any patients who were suffering from AIDS and are now totally cured?

There are reports that a patient suffering from the dreaded disease AIDS, when given a Homeo course, showed considerable improvement and the symptoms of AIDS disappeared. Even though, when he was examined, the patient was found to be HIV positive and was carrying the AIDS virus in his body. This is because the disease is new and medical science is still examining its virus. But one thing was noticed: Homeopathy had rendered the person symptom free that is he was back to normal.

How many institutes are there in India teaching Homeopathy?

There are 189 institutes all over India, which are churning out more than 2000 doctors every year. These institutes are offering a Bachelor’s Degree in Homeopathy (BHMS) of five-and-a-half years. Thereafter, there is a three-year MD programme in Homeopathy. Presently, 23 institutes are offering MD course in India.

Do you think that people in India are accepting Homeopathy treatment?

In India, it is picking up fast. It is a perfect science and presently there are three lakh qualified doctors in this field. The patients come to Homeopaths and are fully satisfied with the treatment.

Are Homeopaths still depending upon medicines being imported from Germany or have they started manufacturing these medicines in India?

Earlier, the medicines were imported directly from Germany. With the passage of time, the demand increased and it was impossible for German firms to export such huge consignments at regular intervals. So, they decided to install their own factories in India. This also shows that Homeopathy is being accepted in India in a big way.

What is the role of the government in your success and how far is the Central Council of Homeopathy helping you?

It is regretful that even though Homeopathy has been accepted by the WHO as a second line of treatment, our government is still not aware about it. Instead of supporting Homeopaths, the government recently proposed that MBBS doctors be given one-year training in Homeopathy. The government does not appear to be in favour of Homeopaths. As far as the Central Council of Homeopathy is concerned, it does not look properly examine the condition of Homeopathic institutes.

There are still several institutes, which are offering PG course and are being run from one room. The quality of education is lacking in Homeopathy. Moreover, the job opportunities are also less.

It has been seen that there are a number of quacks in Homeopathy and the lay man is unable to differentiate between a quack and a genuine doctor. What is your association is doing in this regard?

The quacks are there not only in Homeopathy, but also in Allopathy. The CCH is vested with the responsibility of nabbing quacks and it conducts raids from time to time. Recently, the CCH raided several places in Bihar and unearthed a number of quacks.

What is the role of Homeopathy in mental diseases?

As our day to day life has become fastidious and materialistic, we live in anxiety and stress, which is the basic reason for insomnia, hypertension, diabetes and peptic ulcer etc. Homeopathically, these diseases are the products of sickness.

Here, the disease is in the mind and soul, which is effected by stress and feelings. Homeopathy has a good hold over these incurable diseases. It can help in psychiatric disorders like mania, delirium, delusions and hallucinations. Even the habit of stealing in children — kleptomania — is curable in Homeopathy.

What response is Homeopathy getting in this field?

Homeopathic doctors are getting good results and even armed forces have now started inducting Homeopathic doctors on its panel for stress management and stress removal through medicines.

First ever international conference on herbal products on March 26
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 22
The city will host the first ever International Conference on livelihoods and trade options in medicinal plants and herbal products on March 26 and 27. The two-day conference is being organised by Oxfam GB, the international humanitarian and development organisation working on overcoming poverty and suffering in more than 70 countries around the world.

The emerging sector of herbal products is projected to be amongst the fastest growing in coming years. According to a World Health Organisation estimate, the present demand for medicinal plants is about 14 billion US dollar a year and the projected demand by the year 2050 is five trillion US dollar. Medicinal plant-related trade in India is estimated to be around Rs 550 crore per year. While the value of global trade in medicinal plants has been put at over 60 billion dollar per year, of which India’s total turnover of Rs 2,300 crore (551 million US dollar) of ayurvedic and herbal products, major over-the-counter (OTC) products contribute around Rs 1,200 crore, other formulations fetch around Rs 650 crore, while the classical ayurvedic formulations contribute the remaining Rs 450. The demand for medicinal plant based raw materials is growing at 15-25 per cent internationally. Though India has a rich and ancient tradition of established practices in traditional medicine, Indian organisations have not been able to hit the mainstream and create a viable local and international market for traditional health products.

Another issue of concern is the dynamics of international trade, which is largely tilted in favour of the developed world. In particular, international policy environment, a global agreement on intellectual property rights - a nebulous point where traditional health systems are concerned, and information and communications technologies are key drivers of global trade. Medicinal herbs and herbal products supply value chain is one sector that directly relates to livelihood and health security for millions of poor people.

In this context, the conference will debate issues of resource constraints and lack of market information that have been identified as major problem areas. According to Prof M. S. Swaminathan, eminent scientist and Member of the Executive Committee, a lot more needs to be done, both at the supply side and demand side in terms of interventions in this sector. Elaborating on the employment potential of the sector, he felt that a considerable proportion of the population in the country depends on herbs and medicinal plant as a means of livelihood.

However, since much of the herbal materials that come to market are collected from the wilds, it would be prudent for all stakeholders in the sector-traders, voluntary organisations, government agencies and financial institutions to evolve mechanisms, which would develop inclusive strategy for sustained intervention, both for resource harvesting and conservation.

SPORTS

Sonnet Club sail into Kaushik cricket semi-final
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, March 22
Deadly bowling by left-arm spinner Manan Sharma (4 for 17) and an all-round display by Prateek Suneja (44 and 3 for 15) helped Sonnet Club defeat Bhai Parmanand Academy by 32 runs and entered the semi-final of the Mahender Kaushik Memorial Under-15 Cricket Tournament at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Prateek received the man of the match award.

Scores: Sonnet Club: 167 all out in 38.1 overs (Prateek Suneja 44, Sahil Kher 42, Karan Khanna 31, Tarun Kumar 3 for 33, Sagar Midda 2 for 50).

B P Academy: 135 all out in 32.5 overs (Sagar Midda 26, Karandeep Singh 24, Manan Sharma 4 for 17, Prateek Suneja 3 for 15).

Delhi Admn beat Dena Bank

Delhi Administration defeated Dena Bank by 53 runs in the Trans-Yamuna Cricket Association League at the Poorvi Delhi Khel Parisar ground.

Scores: Delhi Admn: 176 all out in 29.5 overs (Anand Singh 46, Omvir Singh 31, Kavin Gupta 3 for 8, Arvind Chaudhary 3 for 33, Aditya Jain 2 for 14).

Dena Bank: 123 all out in 24.5 overs (Vishal Tyagi 34, Subhash Chand 3 for 20, Narender Malik 3 for 37).

HDFC Bank beat HCL

HDFC Bank defeated HCL Technologies by 27 runs in the 11th Teri Cup Cricket Tournament at the Oval.

Scores: HDFC Bank: 162 for 5 in 25 overs (Muskan Singh 89 n o, Sant Ram 30, Govind 2 for 41). HCL: 140 all out in 20.2 overs (Yogesh Kumar 32, Vinay 4 for 39, Virender Bhoj 2 for 23).

12 teams for under-17 cricket

Twelve teams will participate in the R C Sharma Memorial Under-17 Cricket Tournament to be held at the Bharat Nagar and Vikaspuri grounds from March 25.

Sonnet Club will take on Achrekar Foundation in the opening match. The other teams in the fray are Young Friends, Lal Bahadur Shastri, R R Gymkhana, Vikaspuri Coaching Centre, R P Academy, Ravindra School, Gyan Bharati, Poorvi Delhi, K N Colts and West Delhi.

Shastri Coaching Centre coast to victory
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, March 22
Lal Bahadur Shastri Coaching Centre defeated Delhi Wanderors by three wickets in an A-II Division match of the DDCA League at the RSC ground.

Scores: Delhi Wanderors: 206 for 9 in 40 overs (Surender Kumar 46, Vikas Chaudhary 43, Rohit Yadav 3 for 25). Shastri Coaching Centre: 209 for 7 in 39.4 overs (Rohan Kapoor 47 n o, Sobers Joban 43, Kuldeep Bhati 43, Kulbhushan Bisht 2 for 33).

Mohit Sharma scored an unbeaten 78 to help Sarojini Nagar Gymkhana defeat Oriental Bank of Commerce by eight wickets at the University polo ground.

Scores: OBC: 137 all out in 36.1 overs (Kanwal Singh 28, Kshitij Aggarwal 4 for 23, Anoop Dass 2 for 13). Sarojini Nagar: 138 for 2 in 28 overs (Mohit Sharma 78 n o, Sidhant Mandley 29 n o).

Shahdara Sports defeated Yorks Club by 74 runs in an A-II Division match at the Yamuna complex ground.

Scores: Shahdara Sports: 267 all out in 34.5 overs (Jaideep Kumar 119, Rajesh Kumar 58, Rajesh Sharma 4 for 45, Sunil Kumar 4 for 43).

Yorks Club: 193 all out in 34 overs (Naveen Kumar 38, Rajesh Deshwal 32, Arshad Masih 4 for 21).

Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) defeated Lala Ram Charan Club by 12 runs in an A-II Division match at the Yamuna complex ground.

Scores: LIC: 187 all out in 34.5 overs (Gajender Singh 47, Vikas Kapoor 41, Rabhuvir Singh 34, Satish Kumar 2 for 26). Lala Ram Charan: 175 all out in 32 overs (Satish Kumar 55, P K Soni 2 for 20, Gajender Singh 2 for 25, Kuldeep Rai 2 for 27).

Delphi beat KLM

Delphi defeated KLM Cargo by 19 runs in the Reebok Cricket Tournament.

Scores: Delphi: 186 for 4 in 25 overs (Abraham Joseph 96 n o, Neeraj Mathur 35, Shivi Mehta 2 for 31). KLM Cargo: 167 for 9 in 25 overs (Manish Kumar 39, Sameer Kumar 35, Manish Kumar 3 for 16, Vivek Kumar 2 for 12).