THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Describing Ayurveda as a beacon of hope in a world grappling with complex health challenges, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar today said its emphasis on prevention, balance, and personalized care aligns well with the global call for a sustainable and equitable healthcare system.
Inaugurating the five-day 5th Global Ayurveda Festival (GAF) here, Dhankhar hoped the event will qualitatively enable exploration of Ayurveda’s transformative potential in addressing these challenges.
The message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hailing the efforts of GAF to promote Ayurveda globally, was read out by Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan on the occasion.
Kerala Transport Minister Antony Raju and Shashi Tharoor MP were present.
“Ayurveda is much beyond treating ailments; it encompasses a comprehensive approach to wellness and well-being…Apart from curing existing ailments, Ayurveda also protects the overall health of the body. No wonder, that more than Rog, Ayurveda talks about Nirog,” he said, adding: “India stands as a global leader in Ayurveda, with rich legacy of knowledge and practice that spans millennia.”
Dhankhar noted that the Covid-19 pandemic that swept the world was a period that saw rediscovery of Ayurveda and its larger philosophy of wellness and wellbeing as envisioned in ancient Indian texts.
Since 2012, the biennial Global Ayurveda Festival has served as a beacon of Ayurveda’s enduring legacy, bringing together the global Ayurveda community to celebrate and propagate this ancient healing system, the Vice President noted.
Lauding Kerala for hosting the event, he said the enchanting state is renowned as a cradle of Ayurvedic excellence.
Dhankar said the Government of India has played a pivotal role in fostering the growth and global recognition of Ayurveda. “The establishment of a dedicated AYUSH Ministry, the observance of National Ayurveda Day, and the integration of Ayurveda into the National Education Policy are testaments to the government’s commitment to Ayurveda’s advancement. This has created an affirmative environment for blossoming of the rich ancient Indian healing system and integrating Ayurveda in the healthcare mainstream.”
He also mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative at global stage at the UN fructified in the International Day of Yoga (IDY), describing it as ‘a gift of our Bharat to the world, which has resulted in positive change in the health of the people globally.’
Ayush Industry which was about Rs 20,000 crore eight years ago has reached about Rs 1.5 lakh crore today, he said, and appealed to the various stakeholders to tap the huge potential offered by India’s digital ecosystem and Internet penetration. Notably, around 40,000 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are actively contributing to the dynamic AYUSH.
The National AYUSH Mission under the Ayushman Bharat scheme to promote cost-effective medical systems has been highly impactful while the availability of AYUSH is also being extended through telemedicine and digital platforms, catering to urban and rural communities alike.
“This is a landmark step for wider use of traditional systems of medicine and will help India move towards meeting the goal of universal healthcare by improving access and delivery in remote areas,” he noted.
Noting that Kerala was the most ideal place to hold a conclave like GAF, Shri Dhankhar made a strong case for leveraging Ayurveda to promote wellness tourism in the country. “From detoxifying in Kerala’s lush greenery to practicing yoga amidst the mountains of Uttarakhand, India provides a tranquil escape for rejuvenation and relaxation. Kerala’s Ayurveda tourism not only promotes well-being but also contributes significantly to the state’s economic growth.”
V Muraleedharan, who is also Chairman of GAF 2023, said the steady increase in global demand for ayurvedic products and services amply demonstrated the strength and credibility of this time-tested Indian wellness system.
Asserting that Kerala has time immemorial practised and promoted Ayurveda, Muraleedharan said the state, especially its wellness tourism sector, will significantly benefit from the networking and promotional initiatives of GAF for the next five days.
Antony Raju said it is important to scale up scientific research and documentation efforts to promote Ayurveda and make it acceptable for the entire world.
The Brihatrayee Ratna award, instituted by Arya Vaidya Pharmacy Coimbatore Ltd, was presented at the function to Vaidya Sadanand Prabhakar Sardeshmukh, by Dhankhar.
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Dr G G Gangadharan, Working Chairman GAF, and Dr C Sureshkumar, Secretary General, GAF, were present at the inaugural ceremony.
