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JAMMU: Ananya Kotwal, a final-year student at the School of Architecture and Landscape Design, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), has achieved a remarkable feat by winning the prestigious National Poem Competition on “Unani Medicine for Innovative Health Solutions.”
Organized by the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) under the Ministry of AYUSH in collaboration with MyGov, the competition saw nearly 500 entries from across the country. Ananya’s poem emerged as a shining example of originality and heartfelt creativity, capturing the holistic essence of Unani medicine in a deeply inspiring manner.
The School of Architecture and Landscape Design at SMVDU, recently ranked 23rd in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), prides itself on nurturing talent beyond traditional academic boundaries. Ananya’s victory is a testament to this culture of encouraging students to explore and excel in creative pursuits outside their immediate fields of study.
For Ananya, poetry is more than just words—it is a way to express the subtle nuances of human experience, moments of emotion, and the ideas that stir her soul. Talking to Ajmer Alam Wani, Editor-in-chief of JK Monitor (www.jkmonitor.org), she expressed her passion: “I am someone who loves to express feelings and thoughts through words. Writing poems helps me capture little moments, emotions, and ideas that inspire me. I enjoy learning, creating, and sharing my work with others, and I see poetry as a part of who I am.”
Her award-winning poem, “Unani: A Journey to True Healing,” beautifully narrates an intimate journey of restoration and wellness through the ancient healing art of Unani medicine. The verses evoke vivid imagery and convey how this time-honored tradition offers more than just quick relief—it promises a lasting balance of body and soul. Through references to black seed, saffron, cupping therapy, and herbal revival, the poem celebrates the profound wisdom embedded in nature’s pharmacy.
Ananya’s triumph is not only a personal achievement but also a beacon for young poets everywhere, showing that artistic expression can be a powerful means to honor tradition, communicate innovation, and inspire well-being. Her success encourages emerging poetic talent to reflect deeply on meaningful themes and weave their unique voices into the rich tapestry of cultural heritage.
This recognition affirms that creative passion combined with scholarly exploration can open new paths, embodying the spirit of innovation in health, art, and beyond—just as Unani medicine itself blends scientific insight with ancient wisdom to create solutions for today’s world.
Ananya Kotwal’s poetic journey serves as a vivid reminder to aspiring poets that their words can heal, enlighten, and transform lives—just as her poem does through the art of Unani medicine.
Ananya’s poem that won National Poem Competition on “Unani Medicine for Innovative Health Solutions, is as below.
Unani: A Journey to True Healing
Long I wandered, weak and worn,
Seeking a cure, tired and torn.
Modern ways just numbed the pain,
Yet deep inside, it stayed the same.
Then Unani, rich and wise,
Opened my world, cleared my eyes.
Not just to treat, but to restore,
To heal the self, to hurt no more.
With black seed’s might and saffron’s gold,
Strength returned, my hands could hold.
Cupping cleansed what time had sealed,
Herbs revived, my body healed.
No fleeting fix, no hurried way,
But health that lasts, come what may.
Through nature’s touch, through balance pure,
Unani’s wisdom holds the cure.
Not just relief, but life anew,
A path of strength I never knew.
This healing art, so vast, so deep,
A gift of wellness mine to keep.