Traditions, Treatments & Temples – Tuesday Highlights

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Tuesday 25th February 2025

Written by Laura & Kamilla

 

Welcome on board of our second official programme day. We had a full day ahead of us—and somehow managed to squeeze in an extra tourist stop on top of everything else! 

 

Yesterday, on our first official day of the programme after we managed to survive the furious trials of registrations (Tiina’s post), we learned about the Indian health care system structure in a lecture by Dr. Sumit. Today our day began with an insightful lecture by Dr. Cherian Varghese on the challenges facing public health in low- and middle-income countries. Professor-Director shed light on concept of Commercial Determinants of Health and offered plenty of food for thought on the complexities of health promotion in a commercial world, showcasing examples of barriers to reducing smoking and preventing diabetes, heavily induced by lobbying. And by the way, you can read more about Dr. Cherian Varghese in a recent Instagram-post! 

 

As Finnish students, we were particularly interested in his reflections on how to approach research in settings like India. He emphasized the importance of cultural sensitivity and understanding localsystems when conducting research as an outsider. It was a strong reminder that context mattersdeeply in global health. 

 

Our first field visit of the day was to the Dr. T.M.A. Pai Rotary Hospital in Karkala. We were welcomed by the assistant manager, an alumna of the Prasanna School of Public Health. Her professionalism and dedication left a lasting impression on all of us. 

 

The hospital operates on a non-profit model, funded primarily through donations. It offers basic elective surgeries in general medicine, gynecology, and orthopedics. We were impressed by how effectively the hospital manages to sustain operations through charitable contributions, and how these donations directly impact access to essential health care services in rural areas. 


 


Our group in front of the hospital

 

After the hospital visit, our bus took us to the Gommateshwara statue—a towering 13-meter-tall granite idol of Lord Bahubali located at a Jain temple. It is said to be the second tallest statue of Bahubali in the world. 

 

The scenery was breathtaking. However, walking barefoot on the sun-scorched stone reminded us just how intense the heat can get! A special shoutout to Elina, who wisely brought an umbrella to shield herself from the blazing sun. 





 

Afternoon 

 

The highlight of the day for many of us was the afternoon visit to an Ayurveda center. Ayurveda, partof the broader AYUSH framework (which includes alternative and traditional systems of healing), remains deeply integrated into Indian health care and daily life. 

 

As newcomers to the concept, we were grateful for a clear and engaging presentation from one of the center’s managers. Through both slides and video demonstrations, we were introduced to the core treatments of Ayurveda—ranging from stress management techniques to remedies for back pain. 

 

We found ourselves reflecting on how different the Indian approach to healthcare is from what we’re used to. Ayurveda's emphasis on preventive care contrasts with the reactive nature of Western medicine, where treatment often begins only after symptoms appear. It made us wonder: could therebe room for more holistic, preventative approaches in our own healthcare systems as part of our everyday lives. 

 

After the visit, we reflected on the coexistence of traditional and allopathic medicine in India. In a country as culturally and demographically diverse as India, it makes sense that people are free to choose from a wide range of health care options. It was eye-opening to see that traditional methods are not overshadowed by modern medicine, but rather, they coexist and complement each other. 



Evening at a Local Temple 

 

Despite a packed schedule, we had just enough energy left for a visit to a local temple—only a short tuk-tuk ride away. Some of us joined a religious ceremony, while others (us and few others) observed the rituals and immersed in people-watching outside feeling the weight of the day in our feet. 


 

         

Phew! What a day—full of action, learning, and cultural discovery. 

 

Yours truly, 

Laura & Kamilla




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