The century-old heritage structure, which houses the country’s oldest academic institute teaching Ayurvedic medicine, the Government Ayurveda Medical College and Hospital, will get a new lease of life. The Department of Health and Family Welfare has decided to renovate the building.
The structure, located in the heart of the city, on Sayyaji Rao Road, was constructed by then ruler Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. The building has a glorious history. The institution was started in 1908 at Maharaja’s Sanskrit Pathashala and was shifted to Chamarajendra Technical Institute (CTI) as the number of students increased. Later, the institute was shifted to the existing building, following its construction.
The Department of Health and Family Welfare and National Ayush Mission will renovate and upgrade the structure at an estimated cost of Rs 1.54 crore.
A tender has been floated for the works. In addition, the college auditorium will be renovated at a cost of Rs 18 lakh.
According to the college principal Dr Gajanana Hegde, the building is being taken up for renovation for the first time. Except for minor repair works, no major works had been carried out. The water pipes have been damaged. Walls, floor, roof too are in a dilapidated condition. Renovation is very much needed for the structure, he said.
Public Works Department (PWD) Executive Engineer and others had visited the college and have inspected the structure. As the structure is heritage, the permission and guidance will be taken from the concerned authorities before renovation, the Principal said.
Smart classrooms
In addition, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) has decided to establish smart classrooms and a digital valuation centre to ensure speedy valuation of answer papers.
The college offers undergraduate courses, leading to a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) degree and post-graduate courses leading to a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in the fields of Ayurveda.
The college is attached to a 175-bed hospital and ayurvedic treatment is given to the public, particularly for ailments such as paralysis, skin disorders, hepatitis, asthma, joint pain, and jaundice. Apart from Ayurveda, there are separate departments for Unani and Homeopathy treatment and yoga.