In Dehradun, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that the state government is working towards implementing the country’s first Yoga Policy. This policy aims to integrate Ayurveda and yoga on a large scale, playing a crucial role in bringing about a new revolution in the health sector. While addressing the 10th World Ayurveda Congress and Arogya Expo – 2024 held at Parade Ground, the Chief Minister expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this event. He highlighted that it is a matter of pride for the state to host representatives from over 50 countries and more than 6,000 experts. The expo features over 250 stalls, showcasing the global acceptance of Ayurveda. Dhami stated that this conference will promote knowledge sharing in the field of Ayurveda, encourage various research initiatives, and create new opportunities for collaboration and trade. He provided updates on the initiatives taken by the state government in the Ayush sector, mentioning that under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi, the state is continuously working to promote Ayurveda. Currently, there are 300 Ayushman Health Centers operating in the state, and over 70 specialists are providing Ayush consultations through the e-Sanjeevani portal. Plans are underway to establish **Ayush hospitals with 50 beds and 10 beds in each district. Additionally, the government aims to designate one village in each district as a model Ayush village to promote the cultivation of Ayurvedic herbs. The Chief Minister also mentioned that the state government has implemented the Uttarakhand Ayush Policy to enhance the production of Ayush, wellness, education, research, and medicinal plants. Furthermore, the government is committed to starting Ayush tele-consultation services in the coming years and establishing **50 new yoga and wellness centers. Regarding the establishment of an All India Ayurveda Institute in Uttarakhand, Dhami stated that the state government has requested the Ministry of Ayush to set up this institute, which will be a significant milestone in Ayurveda education and research. He urged experts to promote both the Hindi and English names of local herbs, as this will help these herbs reach the global market more easily. He pointed out that while people in the mountains know the local name “Shilajit,” many are unaware of its English name “Mineral Pitch,” which is recognized worldwide and used in medicines. Therefore, promoting the English names is also essential.
The Chief Minister highlighted that Uttarakhand, the “Devbhoomi,” has always been a land of wisdom and knowledge in Ayurveda and medicinal resources. The medicinal herbs found in the state have played a significant role in establishing Ayurveda as a fundamental element of health. He emphasized that Ayurveda is a unique medical system that has been ensuring the well-being of human civilization since ancient times. It’s not just about herbs and medicines, but a distinct art of living. It teaches us about the right lifestyle, aiming not just to cure diseases but to prevent them from occurring in the first place. He mentioned that various programs like the National Ayush Mission and the Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan initiated by the central government are playing a vital role in establishing health from cities to villages. After formally inaugurating the expo, the Chief Minister also inspected the stalls. The Union Minister of State for Ayush (Independent Charge), Pratap Rao Jadhav, stated that initiatives taken in the Ayush sector during the last ten years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi have led to an eightfold increase in Ayush product manufacturing. Ayush and herbal products are now being exported to over 150 countries worldwide. He added that Ayurveda is also embracing technology, adopting tools like artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Jadhav pointed out that while people in India generally prefer Ayurvedic treatments, doctors in rural areas often recommend allopathic medicines. He attributed this to the limited availability of Ayurvedic medicines and the difficulty in finding all the medicines for various ailments in one place. Therefore, the central government is working to establish Ayush drug centers that will offer all Ayurvedic medicines under one roof at the district, tehsil, and village levels. The first such center has already been launched at the All India Institute of Ayurveda in Delhi. The establishment of these centers across the country will make it easier for Ayush practitioners to prescribe medicines. He called the World Ayurveda Congress a confluence of new ideas, ancient culture, and innovations. The Union Minister said that thousands of people from the surrounding areas will visit the stalls during the four-day event. This event also provides a platform for business opportunities. He mentioned that the central government has launched the Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan across the country on October 29th to promote Ayurveda, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, stated that organizing the World Ayurveda Congress not only helps in gaining global recognition for the Ayush system but also boosts growth in the surrounding area. He highlighted that Uttarakhand is an ideal state for this event, as many medicinal herbs mentioned in Ayurvedic texts are found in the Himalayas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a message for the conference, which was read by Chief Secretary Radha Raturi. The inaugural session also featured speeches from Dr. Shiv Kumar Sharma, the National Organizing Secretary of Vijnan Bharati, Vaidya P.M. Warrior, the Chairperson of the 10th World Ayurveda Congress, and Ravinath Raman, the Secretary of Ayush in the Uttarakhand government. Prominent attendees included state cabinet ministers Satpal Maharaj, Premchand Agarwal, Dr. Dhansh Singh Rawat, MLA Khajan Das, Savita Kapoor, Umesh Sharma Kau, Kishore Upadhyay, Anurag Sharma, the MP from Jhansi, and Acharya Balakrishna.
