Father Muller Charitable Institutions Signs MoU with Avishkar Yoga & Holistic Health Center to Promote Integrative Healthcare
Mangaluru, July 15: Father Muller Charitable Institutions (FMCI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Avishkar Yoga & Holistic Health Center on Tuesday, marking a significant step towards promoting holistic healthcare, wellness, research, and academic collaboration.
The MoU was signed by Rev. Fr. Faustine Lucas Lobo, Director of Father Muller Charitable Institutions, and Mr. Kushalappa Gowda, Director of Avishkar Yoga & Holistic Health Center, in the presence of the FMCI Management Committee and members of the Avishkar Yoga Trust.
The partnership seeks to foster integrated healthcare practices while advancing FMCI’s longstanding motto, “Heal & Comfort.” It aims to facilitate collaboration in education, research, innovation, skill development, community outreach, and wellness initiatives through the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and institutional resources.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kushalappa Gowda expressed his happiness at partnering with one of the region’s most respected healthcare institutions. Recalling his personal experience as a patient at Father Muller Hospital nearly 27 years ago, he said the compassionate care, supportive nursing, and healing environment had left a lasting impression on him.
Reflecting on his journey in yoga, Mr. Gowda said yoga began as a path of self-realisation and later inspired him to pursue higher studies, including an M.Sc. in Yogic Science. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in yoga research, he noted with satisfaction that today’s younger generation, particularly healthcare professionals and students, have shown increasing interest in yoga and holistic wellness.
He added that although Avishkar Yoga has collaborated with several educational institutions over the years, its association with Father Muller Charitable Institutions holds special significance because of FMCI’s diverse academic campuses and multi-speciality healthcare services. He expressed confidence that the collaboration would result in meaningful research, scientific publications, innovative wellness programmes, and community-oriented healing initiatives.
Addressing the gathering, Rev. Fr. Faustine Lucas Lobo described yoga as “Suyoga”—a perfect opportunity for wellness and healing—and emphasised the timeless principle that prevention is better than cure. He observed that the MoU represents not merely a formal agreement but a living commitment to mutual learning and institutional growth.
He said yoga is one of nature’s invaluable gifts to humanity and expressed confidence that the partnership would enable students, faculty members, healthcare professionals, and staff across FMCI campuses to adopt practices that promote physical and mental well-being. He also highlighted the potential for meaningful academic collaboration, interdisciplinary research, and practical wellness initiatives.
For over a century, Father Muller Charitable Institutions has remained committed to providing compassionate, patient-centred healthcare. The institution believes healing extends beyond treating disease and must address the physical, emotional, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of every individual. Through this collaboration, FMCI aims to integrate evidence-based yoga and traditional wellness practices with modern medicine to enhance preventive healthcare, rehabilitation, stress management, lifestyle modification, and overall quality of life.
Mr. Kushalappa Gowda is a distinguished Yoga Therapist and Director of Avishkar Yoga & Holistic Health Center with more than 27 years of personal yoga practice and 18 years of teaching experience. He holds postgraduate degrees in Yogic Science and Social Work, an M.Phil., and is currently pursuing doctoral research at Yenepoya Research Centre on the biochemical and immunological effects of yoga among patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
A nationally recognised yoga educator, Mr. Gowda entered the Golden Book of World Records in July 2024 by conducting the longest yoga lesson lasting 25 hours and 4 minutes while simultaneously setting a record for the largest participation of healthcare professionals in a yoga session, involving 2,693 participants. He is also the recipient of the Yoga Jyothi Award 2024.
Dr. Shycil Mathew, Professor, Department of Community Health Nursing, briefed the gathering on the objectives of the MoU and the scope of the collaboration. The programme was compered by Dr. Kelvin Peter Pais, Liaison Officer, Father Muller Charitable Institutions, who also welcomed the gathering.
Among those present from Father Muller Charitable Institutions were Rev. Fr. George Jeevan Sequeira, Administrator, Father Muller Medical College Hospital; Rev. Fr. Donald Nilesh Crasta, Administrator, Father Muller Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital; Dr. Antony Sylvan D’Souza, Dean, Father Muller Medical College; Dr. Venkatesha B. M., Vice Dean; Dr. Shivashankara A.R., Principal, Father Muller College of Allied Health Sciences; Prof. Cherishma D’Silva, Principal, Father Muller College of Pharmacy; Sr. Dhanya Devasia, Principal, Father Muller College and School of Nursing; Dr. Agnes E. J., Vice Principal, Father Muller College of Nursing; Prof. Cynthia Santhmayor, Principal, Father Muller College of Speech and Hearing; Dr. E. S. J. Prabhu Kiran, Principal, Father Muller Homoeopathic Medical College; Dr. Satish S., Principal, Father Muller College of Physiotherapy; Dr. Shycil Mathew; and Dr. Kelvin Peter Pais.
Representing the Avishkar Yoga Trust were Mrs. Usha K., Yoga Instructor, and Mr. Giriappa, Yoga Instructor.
The collaboration is expected to open new avenues for interdisciplinary research, faculty and student development, therapeutic yoga programmes, community outreach, and evidence-based integrative healthcare, further strengthening Father Muller’s legacy of compassionate healing while embracing innovative approaches to holistic well-being.
