There is only one disease-accumulation of toxic waste in the body. And there is only one cure-helping the body to remove the toxins. This is the radical approach of naturopathy which banks on fasting, diet control, hydrotherapy and other non-drug treatments

Surya Foundation, New Delhi Networking and activism

The Surya Foundation set up in 1992 by Jaiprakash Agarwal, head of Surya group of companies, is a social, research and training NGO involved in the propagation of naturopathy.

Early on in his life, Agarwal was influenced by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda . As a child, he once fell ill and was only cured through naturopathy. Attracted towards this discipline, he felt that it was far superior to the allopathic system.

He decided to pursue naturopathy and went to the centre run by Mahavir Prasad Poddar, a staunch disciple of Mahatma Gandhi. Though the son of an industrialist, Agarwal led an austere life at the centre, doing all the daily chores and practising naturopathy. His life saw a complete transformation from then on.

Today, the Surya Foundation runs over 100 treatment-cum-propagation centres all over the country. It has also started the naturopathy cadre, and the naturopathy gram sewak training course. Also organised are Personality Development Camps in various parts of the country round the year.

Their main training centre is situated at a sprawling campus at Jhinjholi, near Delhi, in Haryana. Many miracles wrought by nature cure have been reported from Jhinjholi.

For example, at their training centre, horse riding is taught. One day, suddenly one of the horses started bleeding in one foot. Its caretaker didn’t report the matter to any of the doctors at the nature cure clinic. Later when the matter was brought to Agarwal’s notice, the affected part of the horse had swollen. Agarwal immediately recommended nature cure treatment. The affected foot was given a mud pack made with ice-cold water. Salt in its diet was eliminated. Within eight days the swelling had reduced by 80 per cent. Soon the horse was on its feet, running around.

Another case relates to Mrs Sanjay Bhanot, a 27-year-old housewife who developed severe thyroid problem. Her weight went up to 67 kg. After nature cure treatment—mud therapy in particular—she recovered, and her weight went down to 47 kg.

Dedicated to the service of society, the Surya Foundation has instituted think tanks working in various fields which besides nature cure, include national security, law, economy, water resources, education, police reforms, constitutional studies, telecom, international relations, public administration, power, tourism, rural development, and herbal.

The members of the think tanks are drawn from a panel of eminent experts in their fields. After much deliberation, the think tanks have concluded that naturopathy has largely been neglected by the Indian Government. To mend matters, Agarwal has decided to launch a satyagraha demanding an increase in the budget allocation for naturopathy and yoga to 5 per cent of the total health budget of the country.

At present the figure stands at a dismal 0.5 per cent. The satyagraha would be held at Raj Ghat in New Delhi from September 12 till the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2. The satyagraha would entail fasting and other forms of protest.

Many other people from all over the country are expected to join him. He will release the details in end-July. An International Naturopathy Organization to promote the system at the top level is also being launched.

CONTACT: SURYA FOUNDATION Ph: (011) 5262994 EMAIL: suryand@del2.vsnl.net.in