Bali, Kerala to Explore Cooperation in Traditional Medicines

Denpasar (Antara Bali) - Bali Province and the Indian State of Kerala will explore cooperation in promoting traditional herbal medicines.

"The cooperation initiative is based on similarity of background  and strong emotional ties between Bali and Kerala, India," Dr Somvir, chairman of the Bali-India Foundation, said here on Monday.

Acharya Asutoshh Kamar, a herbal medicine expert from Kerala, would soon visit Bali to mark the start of the cooperation and carry out social activities to help people needy people, he said.

Acharya Asutosh Kamar will be one of the 12 members of the Indian delegation which will take part in the Second International Bali-India Yoga Festival (IBIF), which will be held at Banjar Gunung Sari,  Tegallinggah village, Sukasada, Buleleng District, northern Bali,  March 3-10, 2010.

Their visit to Bali would  be followed by visits of Balinese yoga instructors to Kerala to make a comparative study on Kerala's traditional herbal medicines.

In 2010, six yoga instructors would study traditional herbal medicines in Kerala for two to three months. Their departures would  be carried out in three phases, with two instructors in each visit.

Bali and Kerala were expected to establish sustainable cooperation, not only in herbal medicines, but also in other fields such as arts, culture and tourism, Dr Somvir said.(*)