Enthusiasm to have the prefix "Dr" before the name is one of the prestigious feels for many teens from the science stream. For the reason being, that it is one of the most respected professions in the world.
The sense of achievement is what drives most science students towards the medical profession. Passionate students who undertake a medical course enter with a heart full of hope visualizing themselves as life saviors.
In cognate with MBBS, another course acronym BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) under the wing of AYUSH, was established in 1971 with an intention to incorporate the teachings of ancient medical science which dates back to the Vedic era.
With the zeal to learn the traditional system of medicine, very few students opt for BAMS and the rest would be students who missed out on taking up MBBS seats. So the journey to BAMS starts with ambiguity.
The course covers a wide range of subjects in accordance with Ayurveda and basic medical terminologies in order to easily understand and relate the concepts.
It is curated in such a way that, it enables budding doctors not only to cure diseases but also help learn the principles of Ayurveda to lead a healthy happy life.
The study of the body and its functioning is studied alongside Anatomy, Physiology and other modern medical science subjects. At first, it created an air of despondency among young students, as the understanding of concepts in Ayurveda in the form of Sanskrit shlokas was a tough task, which was swamped by modern medical subjects (Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, and Forensic medicine).
Though the beginning started on a rough path, eventually the hunger to learn in-depth about Ayurveda began. The more seminars and conferences I attended, the more passionate and keen I became.
By the final year, which included clinical subjects such as Kaya Chikitsa, Panchakarma, Shalya Tantra, and Shalakya Tantra alongside General Medicine, Surgery, Opthalmology and ENT, drove me more toward the wonders of Ayurveda.
Soon after the hardship of academics ended, the realm of Ayurveda commenced through an internship where we had to experience real-life patients and apply our knowledge gained in 5 years. This was the toughest part to prove ourselves as competent theoretically robust Ayurvedic doctors.
After the successful completion of the Internship, the journey further to practice independently without the shadow of our peers and teacher was never smooth.
It is indeed very difficult to practice as from a patient's point of view, visiting a fresher or recently passed-out doctor for their ailment is not an easy decision. Although, the urge to learn and practice endlessly will yield success in Ayurveda.
Expectations were high when we joined the course of BAMS, but the reality is far more demanding.
In my opinion, the traditional science of Ayurveda needs to be learned incessantly which is possible only if interest in this science persists. If not, it is not an easy path.
We, Ayurvedic doctors, are privileged to have obtained the essence of the traditional system of medicine, and it is up to us to uphold and propagate the principles of Ayurveda for the welfare of society.
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