Mangaluru: Efforts will be made to build a healthy society by promoting yoga and naturopathy, said Dr Bhagavan BC, vice-chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS).Speaking at the 31st graduation ceremony of SDM College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, Ujire, at Dharmasthala on Sunday, he said yoga and naturopathy were highly effective in maintaining physical and mental health and called for greater public awareness of these traditional systems.Dr Bhagavan expressed concern that modern lifestyles disconnected from nature, unhealthy food habits, and addictions such as beedi and cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption were leading the youth astray. He said even young women were increasingly falling prey to such habits, resulting in declining health. He noted that people earlier maintained good health by practising Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Jnana Yoga in harmony with nature.He said efforts would be made to popularise naturopathy using science and technology, and announced that a research centre would be set up soon on 60 acres in Bengaluru. RGUHS would also place emphasis on promoting yoga and naturopathy, he said, adding that the central govt would be urged to give these systems greater recognition.Advising graduates, he urged them to face challenges with courage, serve patients with humanity and compassion, and pursue higher studies and research.
