Mangaluru : The Ayush Foundation in association with the district administration and District Ayush department will be conducting a two-day Ayush Habba in Shivarama Karanth Pilikula Nisargadhama from December 19.

Apart from providing free check-up of the four systems of medicine, there will be information about medicines that help one to develop immunity from diseases.

There will also be a stall on homemade remedies for different ailments. A separate session will be held on preparation of health food and also about lifestyle practices that need to be followed.

Releasing the logo for the two-day event, Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader said the intention of holding the Habba was to project these systems of medicine, not as “alternative” medicines, but, as “original” medicine. The Health Department was treating these Indian systems of medicine on par with allopathic medicine. “We are giving a chance for people to choose the system of treatment they want,” he said.

In continuation of this thought, Mr. Khader said, the State government has proposed to construct a 50-bed Ayush Hospital in Government Hospitals in Mangaluru and Gadag. The Planning Department has proposed a cut in the number of beds. Mr. Khader said he has asked his officials to resubmit the proposal. There would not be any problem in getting funds for Ayush Hospitals, as this was a budgeted programme.

Chairperson of Ayush Foundation, Asha Jyothi Rai, said they were expecting around 50,000 people for the two-day programme. There will be stalls showcasing special ayurvedic treatment practices such Panchakarma, Nadi, Marma, Jaluka, Kalari and Yoga. They have tied up with the Agriculture Department to provide information about growing plants on barren land in the region.

As a prelude to the event, there will be jatha from Bunts Hostel to Nehru Maidan on December 17. There will be a mass yoga session at the maidan. She said the Foundation will be hosting quiz programme on Ayush for children, she said.