Sona Medical College of Naturopathy and Yoga gets off to a flying start!

The inauguration ceremony of the Sona Medical College of Naturopathy and Yoga, the latest educational unit from the popular and trusted brand in Education, Sona Group of Educational Institutions, was held in a grand fashion with great fanfare on Wednesday ( January 27, 2021 ) at the Sona Valliappa campus (Kandarkulamanickam campus) situated on the stretch between Kakkapalayam and  Attayampatti  in Salem.

Sona Group of Institutions Chairman C Valliappa and Sona Group of Institutions Vice- Chairman Thyagu Valliappa presided over the grand event, which was attended by a host of dignitaries including Sri Gokulam Hospitals Chairman Dr K Arthanari, Periyar University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. P Kolandaivel, Former IG of Police and Chinmaya Mission Hospital CEO Gopal B Hosur, AYURDNA Wellness and Healing Founder and President Gopinath Nair, and Valli and Co Chairman Chidambaram Chettiar.

The event was also attended by parents and students including those who had registered themselves for the first batch of the BNYS course at the new medical college. Seating arrangements were made keeping social distancing norms in mind and all government norms on social distancing and wearing of masks were strictly followed.  After a traditional pooja and the lighting of the kuthu vilakku (the traditional lamp), the event began with a formal welcome address from the principal of the  Sona Medical College of Naturopathy and Yoga, Dr Madhan.

Speaking next, Sona Group of Institutions Vice- Chairman Thyagu Valliappa said that the entire medical college with state-of-the-art facilities was set up in a record time of just 100 days.

“This was originally a textile mill. We began work on it with a pooja on September 24,2020. We took this up as a challenge and the pandemic actually favoured us. It helped us build infrastructure very fast,” he said and in an emotional tone also added that the day was special for  him not only because it marked the official inauguration of the Sona Medical College of Naturopathy and Yoga but also because the day marked the 55th wedding anniversary of his parents, Mr & Mrs. Valliappa.

The young and enterprising  Vice-Chairman also exuded confidence saying that the Sona Medical College, just like the victorious Indian cricket team that trounced a strong Australian side to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy despite losing the first test match after being all out for just 36 in the second innings, would come out victorious. ” I take this as a challenge. This time, we have 36 students. We will have at least 360 students applying next year,” he said and recalled that The Sona College of Arts and Science too, in its first year, had just 36 students but had grown to possess a strength of 1800 students today, in a matter of just three years.

Pointing out that Naturopathy and Yoga were practised over 4000 years ago, the Vice-Chancellor explained why they had chosen to start this course and how students pursuing the course at Sona Medical College of Naturopathy and Yoga would be at a distinct advantage over others.”Naturopathy and Yoga are going to be game changers. You will be looking at multiple levels and avenues after this five- and- a-half year course. We have an earn-while-you-learn programme in this course. You will have practical learning and that is the future for doctors.”

Mr Thyagu also said that the Sona group wanted to create a very strong presence in the Wellness industry, another sector which had many avenues for those who completed the BNYS course. That apart, the Sona group head also said that another area which students could look at was Research. “You can do research on Amino acids or on the different levels of Pranayama,” a well-informed Mr Thyagu said and pointed out that the Centre had allocated a sum of Rs 500 crores for research in Ayush even as he reminded students that there were not many institutions that were in a position to do research in these areas.

Reiterating that Health was the next big thing and that technology was going to be facilitating it, Mr Thyagu told the first batch of 36 students that they would be the nucleus and the brand ambassadors of Sona.

All the students of the first batch were given medical kits that included among other things, a stethoscope and a medical coat on the occasion.

Several of the honourable guests including  Sri Gokulam hospitals Chairman Dr K Arthanari, Periyar University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. P Kolandaivel, Former IG of Police and Chinmaya Mission Hospital CEO Gopal B Hosur also spoke at the event. Dr S N Murthy, a renowned senior Naturopathy practitioner in India, addressed the gathering through the video conferencing mode.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Sona Group of Institutions Chairman C Valliappa said,” The 36 students from the first batch should have role models on how to serve.A good role model for them to emulate would be Dr Ardhanaari. At a time when there are places where patients are asked to pay first even before being given treatment, Dr Ardhanaari cures first.”

The  Chairman also praised Periyar University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. P Kolandaivel for the commendable work that he has done. “At a time when Vice-Chancellor appointments are proving difficult, if there has been a Vice-Chancellor for whom an extension of service has been granted, it is our Vice-Chancellor. His term has been extended by none other than the Governor directly as a result of his good work.”

Recalling that Naturopathy and Yoga have always been a part of our tradition but we had forgotten it, the Chairman said that we were now reclaiming it. He pointed out that Vaideeshwarar is in fact a God’s name.He also went on to point out that Dhanvantri was the God of Health and that there were two temples for worshipping him — one at Kancheepuram and the other at Srirangam and in the Srirangam temple, the God had been sculpted in such a way to show him holding a plate of leeches. “There is a treatment that is provided using leeches,” the Chairman pointed out to an eager audience that was fascinated by the details he was giving them.

Stating that he had undergone Naturopathy treatment at several places and had been greatly benefitted by them, Chairman Valliappa said that Naturopathy was a very good way of life. He concluded his speech by saying,”I pray to the Almighty that this college should grow from strength to strength like the other institutions of this group.”

The Heads of all the institutions that are a part of the Sona Group too spoke on the occasion. The event ended with some cultural events by the students after which the first day of classes for the students began at the college.