Thanks largely to the efforts of Dr Rumi Beramji, it will soon be permissible for anyone to be healed with needle therapy at the hands of a state-recognized medical practitioner. On December 10, 2015, Maharashtra became the second state after West Bengal to have passed a bill, paving the way for recognition to this ancient therapy (acupuncture), the doctor informs Parsiana in a write-up.
Starting in November 2013, "it took three meetings and a whole load of documents and proof” for Dr Vijaykumar Gavit, the then medical education minister to call "for a meeting of all concerned departments …to find out how acupuncture can be established in Maharashtra.” In February 2016 Beramji clarified in phone interviews with Parsiana that the "help which he got from all the government departments was unbelievable,” but there were "many ups and downs” including ministerial resignations, elections and a new government in power.
Dr Rumi Beramji using acupressure on a patient
The Daily News and Analysis (DNA) of January 24, 2016 reports that "acupuncture is no more in the realm of ‘esoteric medicine.’” The report states that it was because of Beramji’s "utter conviction” in the efficacy of the treatment that the doctor relentlessly pursued the state government to make this happen. The report quotes the doctor as stating that "acupuncture is already recognized as a discipline is the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and China,” among other countries. Acupuncture can be practiced anywhere, be it in a rural set-up or in a large hospital, and does not require heavy investment or capital, stated the acupuncturist.
After the bill receives Presidential assent, for which Beramji is "hopeful,” the government will set up an Acupuncture Council "on the lines of the Maharashtra Medical Council,” as per a report in The Times of India of December 10, 2015.
A graduate of Topiwala National Medical College, 63-year-old Beramji runs a hospital in central Bombay and is a founder-member of the Association of Acupuncture Science Practitioners (AASP) which he states "has succeeded in bringing all the fragmented acupuncture associations from all over India under one banner.” AASP will "play a very important role in guiding the Acupuncture Council to develop acupuncture courses on par with international standards” and help "all major hospitals in Maharashtra to establish acupuncture departments,” he adds.