Faculty of Sowa-Rigpa,
Namgyal Institute Of Tibetology, Deorali
East Sikkim
Faculty of Sowa-Rigpa,
Namgyal Institute Of Tibetology, Deorali
East Sikkim

INTRODUCTION TO SOWA-RIGPA:
Sowa-Rigpa, one of the seven medical system registered under AYUSH, is among the oldest and well-documented systems of traditional medicine in the world. The term ‘Sowa-Rigpa’ is derived from Tibetan language with Sowa meaning healings and Rigpa meaning Knowledge. Hence, the knowledge of healing. The Four Tantra (Gueshi) is the foundational course text for the oral transmission of medical knowledge till this day. The objective of the establishment of the Sowa-Rigpa faculty, NIT, Gangtok is to impart quality education in Sowa-Rigpa system of Medicine.
This centuries old traditional medical system employs a complex approach to diagnosis, incorporating techniques such as pulse and Urine Analysis and utilizes behavioral and dietary modification, medicines composed of natural materials (herbs &minerals) and physical therapies to treat illness.
ESTABLISHMENT OF SOWA-RIGPA:
The Faculty of Sowa Rigpa was established by the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology (NIT) as mandated by the State Government of Sikkim. Under the visionary leadership of Mr. Tashi Densapa, Director, NIT, the Faculty of Sowa-Rigpa was successfully instituted and came into existence on 24 August 2017. The Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS), Varanasi and The Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (MEN-TSE-KHANG), Dharamshala, HP gave their full assistance and support in its establishment.
The seed capital of Rs. 10.50 crores to build the infrastructure of the Faculty of Sowa-Rigpa at the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology was sanctioned by the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India and Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim at the ratio of 90:10 (Central and State shares).
The faculty has received Conditional Permission from the AYUSH Ministry to conduct the UG (BSRMS) Course, and it is affiliated to Sikkim University (SU), a central university established under an Act of Parliament of India. Apart from the academy, the Faculty of Sowa Rigpa has four main units viz: Herbal Garden, Clinic, Pharmacy, and a Library.
The course is registered under the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India and affiliated to the Sikkim University.
A 5 and a half year long Sowa-Rigpa course (Bachelor of Sowa-Rigpa Medicine &Surgery -BSRMS) was started from 24th August 2017, with a batch of 8 students in attendance. A written examination to gauge their depth in Tibetan Language was conducted on 5th July 2017for 18 students who had applied for the enfoldment 11 students qualified to appear for the interview and finally 8 students were selected for the course.
The Faculty of Sowa-Rigpa affiliated under Sikkim University and all the exams, degrees, marksheet and timetable etc. are to be followed according to the SU norms and distributed by them. The Sikkim University also sends its team for inspection at Faculty of Sowa-Rigpa once in a year for the affiliation order.