SOCIETY FOR ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY: MANIPAL CHAPTER LAUNCHED BY DR. BHUSHAN PATWARDHAN

Society for Ethnopharmacology (SFE) Kolkata is an affiliated body of International Society for Ethnopharmacology UK. The society is working for the development and better utilization of natural and ethnic resources in the healthcare. The society aims at providing a common platform for traditional medical practitioners, researchers, modern medical practitioners and researchers to discuss and develop the ethnic practices. The Society has formed as many as four chapters in different geographical zones of India in order to execute its aim and propagate ethnic knowledge. Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MCOPS) is a well-known center for pharmaceutical education and research with state of the art research and academic facilities. It has been working continuously in the area of herbal and traditional medicine apart from other research areas. Manipal Academy of Higher Education has started a center for integrative medicine to cater to needs of the quality education and research in the alternative systems and to provide common platform for a holistic development. The Society for Ethnopharmacology considered it apt to start a chapter in this conducive atmosphere of MCOPS and Manipal Academy of Higher Education under the stewardship of Dr. N.Udupa. The Manipal Chapter of Society for Ethnopharmacology was inaugurated in a formal function held at MCOPS on 12 February 2016 at 5.30 pm. The function began with an invocation by Ms. Varsha, research scholar MCOPS. Dr N Udupa, Director Research, Manipal Academy of Higher Education and convener of the Manipal chapter of SFE gave the welcome address. The local chapter was flagged off by Dr. Bhushan Patwardhan, Director, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune and Editor in Chief, Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine by lighting a lamp. Dr. KL Bairy, Professor, Dept. of Pharmacology, KMC Manipal and the President Manipal Chapter of SFE and Dr. C. Mallikarjuna Rao, Principal MCOPS Manipal were present on the occasion. In his inaugural speech Dr. Bhushan Patwardhan underlined the importance of Ethnopharmacological research and associated benefits for the mankind as a whole. Prior to the inauguration, Dr. KL Bairy highlighted the aims and objectives of the SFE. He also explained the benefits for members of the society. The Function concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. M. Manjunath Setty, Professor and Head, Dept. of Pharmacognosy, MCOPS Manipal. The Manipal Chapter of Society for ethnopharmacology was thus declared open in presence of a large audience from different disciplines and backgrounds. People from departments of Ayurveda, Yoga and Integrative Medicine, Manipal Academy of Higher Education; Muniyal Ayurvedic institute and SDM Ayurvedic College and Hospital; members of Rotract, Manipal, Heads and Faculty of various departments of MCOPS were present on the Occasion. Vice Principal. Dr. M. Srinivas Reddy also graced the occasion. The Function was smoothly conducted by Ms Shilpee, research scholar, Dept, of Pharmacognosy, MCOPS Manipal.