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India health, wellness hub for UAE and GCC nationals

Nationals and expats encouraged to improve quality of life

Nadia Al Sayegh, managing director, Khalil Al Sayegh Group, and Paras Shahdapuri, chairman of Nikai Group and president of the Indian Business and Professional Council inaugurate the Royal India Wellness 2014 exhibition in Dubai. — KT photo by Mukesh Kamal

India has a holistic health care system that is accessible and effective. Experts in the field were in Dubai to support the vision of the Government of India to promote naturopathy and Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) to UAE nationals and expatriates.

The Royal India Wellness Seminar in Dubai on Wednesday served as a platform to share the wellness, health and medical tourism agenda of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. The seminar showcased the wellness products and services, world-class medical facilities, luxury spas and Ayurveda therapy for holistic healing and rejuvenation. Specialists encouraged UAE nationals and expats to consider wellness and leisure in India as an option to improve the quality of life.

Different aspects were discussed like holistic wellness (mind, body and soul integration), integrative medical and complimentary therapies, detox (de-stress, rejuvenate), early intervention and prevention, and yoga and meditation. Several leading names shared their thoughts on alternative systems of healing.

Promoting this concept was Soukya, an international holistic health centre based in Bengalaru. Says Dr Issac Mathai, its chairman, managing and medical director, “We are here to advocate the different systems of medicine. Many people in this part of the world are suffering from chronic diseases, weight issues, diabetes, arthritis, and back problems including neurological disorders. We want to make them aware that they can be treated through a holistic approach. Ours is a very upmarket facility and we have people from all over the world.” Adds Mridula Jose, vice-president, product development CGH, earth, “We are a hospitality chain with 16 properties of which SwaSwara and Kalari Kavilakom are the well-being spaces. SwaSwara is a magical holiday space for self-realisation. We are experimenting with different ways of holidaying and activities focused on Ayurveda. We were catering to the European markets and now hope to tap into the GCC market to attract expats and GCC nationals.”

Says Pawan Kamra, manager, Kairali Ayurvedic Group, “We encourage a comprehensive approach to health taking the individual into consideration. We have our own herbal garden where we cultivate all the herbs used in the manufacture of certified herbal products. We are expanding in a big way and hope to start a centre in Sharjah soon.”

Ranjit’s Svaasa is located in Amritsar and offers a touch of health, heritage and hospitality. Guests can enjoy a scenic heritage property, which is converted into a lush green area for wellness. Says Rama Mehra, functional medical practitioner at Svaasa, “We had some visitors from the UAE who loved the place and kept coming back to us. This motivated us to come here to promote our property. We’ve incorporated the non-invasive systems of Panchakarma and Ayurveda and modern alternative systems of healthcare into one. We have a base where people can come in and detox and rejuvenate with the Ayurveda massages, Swedish massages and hydrotherapy. We have a non-invasive diagnostic system where guests know about their nutritional deficiencies and body imbalances much before it becomes a disease. We serve fresh organic food to suit the blood type and yoga experts customise asanas for individuals along with meditation sessions stressing on the what, why and how.”

Swami Gururethnam Jnana Thapaswi of Santhigiri Ayurvedic Centre in Karama adds, “In the treatment of diseases we have evolved a novel approach called ‘Integrated System of Treatment’ combining the essence of the various systems of medicines as in Ayurveda, Siddha, Homeopathy and Allopathy for the treatment of lifestyle illnesses. The seamless blend of spiritual knowledge with scientific approach has enabled Santhigiri to effectively address various life-style related problems faced by modern society.”

Meanwhile, members of the UAE based ‘Friends of Yoga’, a voluntary non-profit organisation headquartered in Dubai, stressed the need to inculcate Yoga into daily life. K B Madhavan, its founder, has 40 years of experience teaching Yoga, of which 25 years are in Dubai. He says, “We have 18 locations in the UAE and branches internationally in 20 countries. Alternative medicine is the need of the 21st century. Thousands of lives have been transformed after turning to Yoga. Yoga should be practiced in open air and we thank the Dubai government for permitting us to use the parks in the emirate.”

— suchitra@khaleejtimes.com