World Ayurveda Congress & Arogya Expo 2024 inaugurated by CM & Union MoS in Doon
By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 12 Dec: The 10th World Ayurveda Congress and Arogya Expo-2024 was inaugurated by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Union Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge) Pratap Rao Jadhav at the Parade Ground here today. On this occasion, CM Dhami expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for organising this prestigious event in Dehradun. He shared that this event is witnessing participation of representatives from over 50 countries and more than 6,000 experts, along with over 250 stalls and added that this indicates the global acceptance of Ayurveda.
Dhami emphasised that the conference would foster mutual knowledge sharing, various research works in Ayurveda, and new opportunities for cooperation and business. He provided insights into the state government’s efforts under Prime Minister Modi’s guidance to promote Ayurveda, including the operation of 300 AYUSH-based ‘Ayushman Arogya Kendras’, AYUSH consultation via the e-Sanjeevani portal, and the establishment of 50-bed and 10-bed AYUSH hospitals in each district.
The CM asserted that the state government is also promoting the production of Ayurvedic herbs by establishing one model AYUSH village in each district. The Uttarakhand AYUSH Policy aims to accelerate AYUSH manufacturing, wellness, education, research, and cultivation of medicinal plants. The government is committed to starting AYUSH tele-consultation and establishing 50 new yoga and wellness centres in the coming years. He announced that Uttarakhand has urged the Union Ministry of AYUSH to establish the All India Institute of Ayurveda in Uttarakhand, which would be a milestone in Ayurveda education and research.
Dhami called upon experts to promote the English names of herbs also along with their Hindi names to facilitate global market access. He stated that Ayurveda is a unique medical system that ensures the health of human civilisation and promotes a healthy lifestyle. The Chief Minister also inspected the stalls after the formal inauguration of the expo.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has affirmed the government’s commitment to promoting the ancient Indian system of medicine which has the potential to strengthen the global healthcare system.
In his message read out at the inaugural function of the Congress, Modi said Ayurveda has the potential to strengthen the global healthcare systems as it focuses on providing “comprehensive remedies” to various health problems and lays equal emphasis on prevention, nutrition and mental health.
Modi expressed confidence that the four-day meet will expedite the promotion of Ayurveda at the global level and asked the delegates to come out with a new “blueprint” for the purpose.
The Congress and the Expo are organised by the World Ayurveda Foundation, an initiative of Vijnana Bharti, Union Ministry of Ayush and Uttarakhand Government.
Addressing the inaugural function, Union Minister Pratap Rao Jadhav noted that initiatives in the AYUSH sector under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership have increased the production of AYUSH products eightfold, with exports to over 150 countries. He also mentioned the adoption of technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Ayurveda. Jadhav acknowledged the preference for Ayurveda in India but noted the challenge of accessing all necessary medicines in rural areas. He stated that to address this issue the union government is establishing AYUSH medicine centres to provide all Ayurvedic medicines under one roof at district, tehsil, and village levels. The first such centre has been started at the All India Institute of Ayurveda, Delhi.
Jadhav expressed confidence that the World Ayurveda Congress would be a confluence of new ideas, ancient culture, and innovations. He highlighted the business opportunities provided by the event and also mentioned the Prakriti Pariksha Abhiyan, started across the country on 29 October, inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi.
Ayush Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha said proposals for an investment of 1.3 billion dollars are in the “firm pipeline”. The ministry’s ‘Prakriti Pariksha’ (Nature Test) programme has met with astounding success and this will help invention of new medicines.
Ravinath Raman, Uttarakhand’s Ayush Secretary, said the state has 300 Ayushman Arogya Kendras and more than 8000 camps have been held in schools to promote Ayurveda and herbs. He expressed the confidence that the Congress will take Ayurveda to greater heights.
Dr PM Varier, Chairman, National Organising Committee, 10th WAC, said the Congress has been shaping over the years the growth trajectory of the sector and is making all-out efforts to fully integrate Ayurveda into the mainstream of the healthcare system. As a result, Ayurveda is witnessing a growing resonance in the global healthcare system.
