2. Who is a Guni?
JJVS has provided the term ‘Guni’ as unifying title to these non- degree
holder doctors posses distinctive and astonishing competence in bone
setting, curing skin diseases, asthma, snake bites ,sciatica, chronic pains and
various human and animal ailments using certain plants and manual
practices.
These people are a virtual treasure house of indigenous health knowledge.
These practitioners are known by different names at different places in India
such as Vaidya, Vaidhyaraj, Amchis, Gaitas. Uche and Danga Bhagat..
The international organizations such as WHO, IUCN and WWF has recognized
them as traditional health practitioners
3. Background
In the year of 1989 a Diptheria epidemic struck Southern
Rajasthan.
Rural areas were worst hit.
16 children died in the Charmar village.
A further 30 children suffered.
Response from Health Centres was non-existent.
4. Jagran’s Intervention
With the help of Child Relief and You and Voluntary Health
Association of India the government health agency was
alerted and the suffering families of the region were
provided with relief and other help.
Grieving and suffering families were compensated and an
investigation began.
For Jagran this wasn’t enough and they decided that more
needed to be done to prevent this type of incident repeating.
5. Jagran’s Intervention
This incident helped to establish a firm relationship between Jagran
and the community and through this interaction it was decided that
for the development of the community’s health, alternative
arrangements should be made at a local level.
A community meeting was called to discuss vital health questions.
Hiring medical staff initial solution.
No funding to hire medical staff.
6. A solution at a local level.
Upon further inspection it was discovered that the community was
already being treated by local healers.
Jagran began collecting names of healers from each village.
Some were specialist in bone-setting, some with gynaecological
issues and others with infections.
Jagran sent patients to these healers to test their skills.
The results were profound.
Jagran realised that this traditional system needed to be formalised.
7. Gunis
Shortly after this the term “Guni” was established.
Guna meaning talent and knowledge.
Gunis have long been traditionally taught through the Guru-
Shishya system from one generation to the next and acquiring
competency through practical experience.
8. Legitimatising Guni Medicine.
In 1991 Jagran took a group of Gunis to a conference sponsored
by the Indian Government Department of Science and Technology,
alongside Doctors, Scientists, Specialists and Ayurveda Physicians.
This introduced the Gunis to a national audience and their
introduction was well received.
After a series of group discussions it was concluded that Guni
Medicine was a legitimate system of healing and required
documentation.
9. Gunis
By 2003, Jagran had documented and trained 1200
Gunis.
Gunis now have regional level association advocating
for official medicine recognition with the
Department of AYUSH and the Indian Ministry of
Health and Family Welfare.
Through Jagran’s initiative, regular health camps are
arranged in rural villages throughout Rajasthan and
in Udaipur city for the Gunis to share their skills.
The response to these camps have been extremely
positive attracting 300 patients on some occasions.
10. The Problem
With the change in traditional ways and families struggling for
money a new generation of healers are becoming void.
The younger generation are moving to cities to seek their
fortune in order to provide for their loved ones leaving an aging
population of Gunis and a lack of viable health care for the
coming generation.
Jagran has made it their mission to encourage this generation
to pursue and preserve the traditional knowledge of their
forefathers and establish a solid foundation for the future of
traditional medicines.
11. Immediate threats to Traditional
System of medicine
Ever-expanding influence of modern medicine.
Large scale production of medicines leading to destructive
harvesting of medicinal plants from the wild.
Limited social and legal recognition of local healers.
Lack of knowledge and interest about this system of medicine
in youth.
12. The Solution: Guni Training
Jagran has established a Guni training program to encourage
education for current Gunis, as well as recruit the future
generation of Gunis.
Gunis receive a 30 day training certificate after completing
their hands on training and knowledge exchange program.
Three 10 day intensive trainings are offered each year to record
valuable Guni information and share knowledge.
13. Guni Training
The first 10 day program is in summer and designed to share treatment regimes,
diagnosis and discuss important issues surrounding traditional medicine. This
phase document important knowledge.
The second program commences in the forest area after the monsoon. The
Gunis are separated into groups of 5 or 6 and sent into the forest to collect
plants that they have experience with. These plants are collected and brought
back to camp and displayed for viewing. Their indications are discussed later in
the day which includes their location and the parts used.
The third stage of the program takes place in December or January where they
have an opportunity to discuss their treatments with their peers, make
medicines, share seeds and observe techniques used by others. This phase
creates an important platform for the Gunis to interact and connect with each
other.
14. Guni Training cum Treatment Centre
GTTC
Functions in revitalization of traditional practices whilst also promoting
the sustainability of these traditions.
Provides a space for new Guni training practitioners to treat and
consult patients
Increase availability of important medicinal plants
Provide a platform for community awareness programmes
15. Gunis
Jagran currently provides yearly training programs in Myotherapy, Bowen
Therapy, Naturopathy and Remedial Massage in conjunction with the Guni
Program.
Monthly meetings are organised to share expertise and platforms are
provided so Gunis can interact and gather ideas, knowledge and
experience.
Around 2300 patients treated over 16 health camps since 2013.
16.
17. Jagran Jan Vikas Samiti
People’s Awakening and Development Society
