On 17 September 2006 a Medico-Spiritual Conference was organized for the first time by AARSH (Akshardham Centre for Applied Research in Social Harmony) at Swaminarayan Akshardham, New Delhi, from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm.
The conference was inaugurated with the lighting of divas by Pujya Mahant Swami. Thereafter, he delivered his keynote address on body, mind, and soul.
The theme of the conference was ‘Self-Management’, which explored the topics of ‘Self and Family’, ‘Self and Society’, ‘Self and Self’, ‘Self and God’. Some of Delhi’s most prominent surgeons, physicians and psychiatrists gave their presentations. Dr. Ish Kathpalia (Sr. Physician and President of IMA, New Delhi) and Dr. I.P.S. Kalra (Cardiologist and former President of IMA, New Delhi) were chairpersons of the first and second sessions.
Dr. S.C. Manchanda (former Head, Cardiology AIIMS and Sr. Cardiologist, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital) and Swami Vivekjivandas talked about ‘Self and Family’. Dr. Ashok Seth (Chairman Max Health Care) and Swami Vivekpriyadas talked about ‘Self and Society’. Dr. Ish summed up the speeches and gave his conclusions for the first session.
In the second session Dr. H.K. Chopra (Chief Cardiologist at Moolchand Medicity and Chairman World Heart Academy, India) and Swami Brahmaviharidas talked on ‘Self with Self’. Thereafter Dr. Jitendra Nagpal (Head of Psychiatry , VIMHANS) and Prof. Janak Dave, M.A. Sanskrit and former professor in Bombay University, presented their views on ‘Self and God’. Dr. I.P.S. Kalra summarised the presentations of all four speakers and quoted profusely from the Guru Granth Sahib.
The head of Akshardham Complex , Swami Atmaswarupdas concluded the conference and gave a vote of thanks.
In all, about 130 prominent doctors of New Delhi attended the conference. They expressed their gratitude for the enlightening sessions. After lunch the doctors were given a guided tour of Swaminarayan Akshardham and its exhibitions.