In an effort to update knowledge on traditional ayurvedic practices amongst the scholars in the country, Dr Palep's Medical Research Foundation would conduct Tadvidya Sambhasha at R.A. Podar Medical College, Worli in Mumbai on February 15, 2009.

Tadvidya Sambhasha is a well defined ayurvedic tradition of debate amongst the scholars for the purpose of updating their knowledge. The central theme of this year's Sambhasha will be "ayurvedic dietetics and nutraceuticals in health and disease".

"The focus of the event will be on how clinical experience and research have corroborated the sutras and aharas in ayurveda (rasas, pathya, aushadi gunas, yogas and so on). The uniqueness of ayurvedic dietetics is the customised approach in relation to individuals' prakruti, age, sex and disease, season, country etc. The participating scientists will correlate the biochemical aspects of ayurvedic nutraceuticals and highlight the current advances in ayurvedic dietetics during the discussions," said the organisers.

In the run up to the Tadvidya Sambhasha, Dr Palep's Medical Research Foundation would also conduct a competition - recitation of sutra sthana of ashtanga hridaya - to the under graduate students from all the ayurvedic medical colleges in Maharashtra on February 10, 2009 at the R.A. Podar Medical College, Worli, Mumbai.

"In order to encourage ayurveda, an ancient tradition, Dr Palep's Medical Research Foundation has decided to institute prize of Rs 10,000/- for excellent recitation of sutra sthana of ashtanga hridaya. This competition will be open to under graduate students from all the ayurvedic medical colleges in Maharashtra. Three prize winning candidates will be given an opportunity to recite from Vaghbhatta's Sutrasthana in front of audience of Tadvidya Sambhasha V Ayurveda programme, which would be held at R.A. Podar Medical College (Ayurvedic) on February 15, 2009," the organisers said.

"In the last four programmes we have honoured a number of scholars and teachers of ayurveda posthumously. This time we are honouring four eminent modern medicine scholars who have made remarkable contributions in ayurveda and integrate ayurveda in to modern main stream medicine. Integrative approach to the practice of medicine has been the fundamental philosophy of Dr. Palep's Medical Education & Research Trust. These awards will be named after charaka, sushruta, vaghbhatta and kashyap," said, Dr H S Palep, founder, Dr. Palep's Medical Research Foundation.