Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Nov 12: “A powerful medical lobby has been working behind blowing the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) out of proportions. In my opinion, the government will do well to shift a big chunk of the money being spent on AIDS education, awareness and treatment, towards eradication of illiteracy,” said retired vice chancellor of Manipal University, Prof B M Hegde. He was speaking after presiding over a function organized here on Thursday November 11, to release the decennial issue of a Suratkal-based periodical, ‘Issues and concerns’.

“All those who are diagnosed as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive, do not become the victims of AIDS. Compared to other deadly diseases, the number of people dying from this disease is less. A powerful medical lobby is working to project AIDS as the most deadly of the diseases. If we spread literacy, AIDS automatically comes under control. Along with it, several other problems also get redressed,” he reasoned.

Hegde said that a large number of people die from the side effects of allopathic drugs. He said that during the period the doctors of Israel were on strike for six months, the number of deaths in that country fell considerably, as compared to other periods. “When the doctors were actively involved with treatments, the number of deaths was seen to be more,” he explained. He said that Ayurveda offers treatment for all kinds of ailments, but lamented that Indians have swept Ayurveda, culture and traditions into a corner in the name of modern way of life. He said that the traditional systems of medicine have considerably lesser side effects and offer promise of permanent health improvement. He lamented that the children of today are not taught how to respect their parents, culture and traditions.

Mahesh Joshi, general manager, Doordarshan, Bangalore, who released the decennial issue of the periodical, said that ten years is an important milestone in the history of a publication. Dr P Dayanand Pai, chairman of Century Group, wanted efforts to be put to ensure that the benefits of the government schemes reach even the last beneficiary.

Members of the editorial board of the publication, Dr Shankar Shetty and Jayaram, were present.