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Kerala to get Rs.2.5 billion holistic health village

Kerala to get Rs.2.5 billion holistic health village

Author: Sanu George, Thiruvananthapuram
Publication: India Abroad News Service
Date: February 25, 2001

A bureaucrat in Kerala has roped in a spiritual leader to establish a Rs.2.5 billion holistic health village in the state.

The proposal is the outcome of the collaboration between Mata Amrithanandamayi, a spiritual leader with a following of nearly 30 million worldwide, and Jiji Thompson, managing director of the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSTDC).

"I thought of several people who could probably be roped in as partners. Finally, I zeroed in on Mata Amrithanandamayi," Thomson told IANS. He said the idea first came to him when he noticed that some 300 acres of land belonging to the KSIDC in Balussery in northern Kerala, was lying vacant.

"The place, apart from its natural settings is rich with a lot of flora and fauna and, seeing its natural wealth, I presented the proposal to 'Amma' when she paid a visit to her ashram in the outskirts of the capital city and she was impressed," he said.

"A large number of 'Amma's' followers who are specialists in different fields of medicine belonging to various countries come to spend a lot of time every year at her religious retreat. So we thought we should put their stay in India to productive purpose with the support of 'Amma'," said Thompson.

The proposal presented to 'Amma' envisages setting up a holistic village there as an international center of excellence which would provide treatment, research, education and training in various complementary and alternative medical systems which would include specialties like allopathy, ayurveda, homeopathy, Chinese medicines, naturopathy, Tibetan medicine, Siddha, aromatherapy and similar therapies as practiced in various countries.

On the financial aspect, he said, "Since the government cannot associate with a religious institution, we have asked 'Amma' to set up a separate company or we have even thought in terms of floating a joint venture company to see that it takes off soon. It is proposed that 88 percent share would be held by 'Amma' in the company for which she would bring in Rs.1.1 billion. Apart from the land, which is ours, we are also willing to bring in money by raising it from outside India. There are several people who are willing to invest in this unique project," said Thompson.

He said a core committee has been formed consisting of members from the Mata Amrithanandamayi Mutt at Vallikavu in Kollam district and a high level team from KSIDC. "We are paying a visit to the proposed place in the first week of March to draw up concrete plans and to go ahead with the proposal," said Thompson.

The exclusive village is also envisaged to provide for therapies, which will have no side effects, suited to various budgets. Also planned are techniques to improve the quality of life of people and treatment for various diseases. As per the projections worked out by KSIDC, it is estimated that the total annual revenue expected to be generated by the end of fifth year after it becomes operational would be about Rs.2 billion.

State Industries Minister Susheela Gopalan has taken a keen interest in the health village and is reported to have secured the go ahead signal from her party, the Communist Party of India-Marxist.
 


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