Online class was a big challenge: Nandini Joshi, Principal, Lokmanya Homoeopathic Medical College

Shiksha spoke to Dr Nandini Joshi, Principal, Lokmanya Homoeopathic Medical College, Chinchwad, Pune, Maharashtra. Read here to know more.

Established in 1984, Lokmanya Homoeopathic Medical College is located in Chinchwad, Pune. Shiksha.com spoke to the Principal of the college, Dr Nandini Joshi. Here are the excerpts from the interview:

Q: What are your priority areas as Principal of Lokmanya Homoeopathic Medical College, Pune?

A: In the last one and a half years, the Principal’s role is unrealistically and drastically changed by this Covid-19 crisis. The nature of the situation is very different. Earlier, there was no such state of directions to follow, so personally what I did is I called many parents and students to explain the current situation and also I made sure that the management should also take the necessary steps in helping them in overcoming this crisis. We had to give support to teachers, students and parents so that they all become enthusiastic about implementing online learning. Before this, for medical courses, online classes were not at all there, we had to inculcate in students that online classes are a must because what happens in our field we need to see the patients to understand their problems, but we had to start online courses, and students also went to their home town to continue with the online classes. First, we had to convince them what is online classes and that was a big challenge. At every moment, we had to take precautionary measures and every time we had asked the students to keep following the Covid-19 guidelines by avoiding crowded places, wearing a mask and regularly sanitising their hands, we always reminded the students they must take care of themselves during the ongoing pandemic. 

Q: How did the college and admission process got affected due to Covid-19?

A: The admission procedure got a bit delayed due to lockdown and all but still, we have completed up to march and classes again started online and we have taken the first address also online and overcame this situation by completing the portion online and by keeping all the students, teachers and parents everybody on the online platform, because anyhow we had to cope up with the situation and as a Principal and teachers we had to overcome all these situations by keeping ourselves balanced both physically and mentally, because many times what happened that students lost their near ones, so we had to be very balanced. We overcame all these situations and students have performed very well in the examinations.

Q: During the pandemic, the alternative Indian medicine system has got its foothold due to its holistic approach, in such a scenario how do you see the career in homoeopathy in the coming time in terms of scope.

A: In India, homoeopathy already has good scope in terms of career but due to the AYUSH faculty and Ministry of Ayush giving us guidelines for specific medicine such as regarding prophylactic has only increased the awareness regarding this field. As a college, we gave lots of people this prophylactic medicine. In many departments like police, education and in offices, this medicine has been distributed. Acceptance of medicine has increased and though the scope of homoeopathic career was already good, in the current scenario it has improved more.

Q: Ayush Admissions Central Counseling Committee has still not started the counselling for admission to BAMS, BUMS, and BHMS, what you would like to say about this delay?

A: Maharashtra has already started the counselling process for admission to these courses and for AIQ seats also, the counselling will be started soon. 

Q: Anything you would like to add on the ongoing third wave of Covid-19, how the readers can prevent themselves by using homoeopathic medicines?

A: In this wave, people are very well aware of preventive medicines as those are the same they had taken in the first and second wave. Now, they are already attached with homoeopathy, they are also aware of the guidelines given by the AYUSH ministry for all Ayurvedic, homoeopathic, Unani, and all alternative medicines. So again, in this wave, they must continue using these medications, and readers are very much aware of how to prevent Covid-19 this time. Also, the people who have suffered from Covid-19 earlier and faced post-Covid issues – like sore throat, and other symptoms also have benefitted from homoeopathic medicines. Apart from taking these medicines, we are also advising people to do lifestyle changes such as reducing weight, eating a healthy diet and regular exercise and increasing the personal sense of community. People must maintain good relations in their community especially with people who have suffered in this pandemic time, we must provide them with mental support.

Read more:

• AIAPGET 2021 Counselling Round-1 Registration Started at aaccc.gov.in
• AYUSH 2021 counselling schedule for BAMS, BHMS, BNYS, BUMS & BSMS to be out soon