Advocating alternate healing therapies, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] said on Saturday that steps should be taken to collect, digitise and print palm leaves of 'great antiquity', which contained invaluable medicinal formulations of the Siddha system.

Singh was dedicating the National Institute of Siddha to the nation. It has been put up jointly by the central and state governments at a cost of Rs 47 crore in the suburban Tambaram sanatorium.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa boycotted the function, though she was slated to be the chief guest.

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Noting that mankind was increasingly turning to indigenous holistic systems of medicine, Dr Singh said these not only treated and prevented diseases but are also free of side-effects.

Pointing out that siddha is a fine blend of science, medicine, spirituality and philosophy, Dr Singh said the increasing popularity of such systems in developed countries testified to their efficacy in dealing with the complex health disorders of the modern world.

"While rejoicing at the relevance and wide acceptablilty of such medicines, we have to help rejuvenate them through modern and scientific research", he said.

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Dr Singh said India has a treasure-trove of knowledge in the siddha system of medicine but that it needed to be contextualised - "If we put siddha medicine in line with scientific methods, there is bound to be progress and more discoveries for the health and happiness of mankind."

Dr Singh said the National Institute of Siddha, in partnership with the laboratories of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Indian Council for Medical Research, universities and pharmaceutical companies, would have to standardise frequently used formulations.

Modern manufacturing processes would also have to be developed and patented. Strict adherence to good manufacturing practices, standardisation and quality control of siddha medicine was the need of the hour, he added.

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