By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 13 Dec: All hundred years old Ayurveda Medical Colleges in Uttarakhand will be revamped and upgraded soon. In a statement issued today, the AYUSH Department has shared that upgradation of Rishikhul Ayurveda College is progressing rapidly. The state government has prepared a detailed project report (DPR) for submission to the Union Government, which has shown a very positive attitude towards this initiative. Similarly, the government is also considering upgradation of the hundred-year-old Gurukul Ayurveda College, although this idea is still in its nascent stage.
The ongoing World Ayurveda Congress and Expo-2024 in Dehradun is creating a favourable environment for Uttarakhand. The state has been continuously advocating for the upgradation of these historic Ayurveda colleges. While Uttarakhand initially proposed to make Rishikul College, an All India Institute of Ayurveda, the Centre instead sought a proposal for its upgradation. The AYUSH department of Uttarakhand has acted accordingly, with the Public Works Department preparing the DPR for the upgradation. A government-level decision is expected soon.
Dr AK Tripathi, Vice Chancellor of Uttarakhand Ayurveda University, today expressed optimism about upgradation of Rishikul College in view of the Centre’s interest towards this. AYUSH Secretary of the Union Government Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha has confirmed that action on Uttarakhand’s proposal is progressing and the ministry’s attitude is favourable.
It may be recalled that there are about a dozen hundred-year-old Ayurveda colleges across the country. Uttarakhand is fortunate to have two such institutions in Haridwar district, namely Rishikul College and Gurukul College. Rishikul College, established in 1919 by Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya, is the oldest. Gurukul College was founded by Swami Shraddhanand in 1921.
The detailed report for Rishikul College’s upgradation includes a proposal for a seven-storey hospital. Dr AK Tripathi mentioned that the plan involves demolishing the old hospital currently at Rishikul College and utilising the available 25 acres of land. Currently, postgraduate studies are offered in 11 subjects.
Commenting on this, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami claimed that the government is committed to promoting AYUSH-related activities in Uttarakhand, with strong support from the central government. He expressed hope that the proposals regarding AYUSH in Uttarakhand would be approved soon.
