Life in Balance: Amit Chaudhary’s Blog
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There has been news recently of a Ayurveda pharmacy in India selling products containing human and animal bones. There are the health implications and then faith ones for many Indians tend to be non-meat eaters. These are about Divya Pharmacy in Hardwar, run by Baba Ramdev’s Divya Yog Mandir Trust.

Links:

Ramdev’s samples contained human, animal extracts: Ramdoss
Some testimonials from ex-employees, whistle blowers
In the same article,

Extending support to Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev, Shiv Sena Saturday came down heavily on the CPI-M, accusing it of raking up the medicine issue in the interest of multi-national drug companies.

BJP says doing such investigation hurting faith of Indians in Yoga

Interestingly, Baba ramdev’s website claims Pranayama cures cancer and many other diseases

Here is the link to their pricelist for basham(ashes) and other medicines.
And donations request from Rs 11,000 to 500,000 for the next asharam.

My thoughts:

-If someone claims a method cures something, they should provide a scientific study by a neutral body done over multiple years.

-It is improbably that ashes (or any substance destroyed by fire) can cure anything including health issues like illness. This falls under superstition and blind faith category.

-Direct solicitation for money should not be a spiritual organization’s goal.

-One good thing is that He is making yoga more popular, introducing some exercise into the larger Indian population. Is the price worth it?

My take:

• With GMO(Genetically Modified Foods), Genes of various fruits and vegetables are being mixed to create ‘better’ variations. It might be years before it’s effects are known.
• The practice of feeding animals back to animals have resulted in newer diseases like Mad Cow.
• The the effects of pesticides and growth hormones are well known including many pesticides being now banned due to their cancer causing effects.
• It is prudent to choose and eat the right food. And Organic is often the way to go.
• Consider eating fruits and vegetables that are in season (Hint: They will be available in a local Farmer’s market)