The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the valedictory function of the 9th World Ayurveda Congress. He also inaugurated three National Ayush Institutes – All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Goa, National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM), Ghaziabad and National Institute of Homoeopathy (NIH), Delhi to further strengthen research and international collaborations and will also facilitate affordable Ayush services for people. Developed at a total cost of about Rs 970 crores, these institutes will increase the intake of students by around 400 along with the addition of about 500 hospital beds.
Prime Minister welcoming all the delegates of the 9th World Ayurveda Congress from around the globe to the beautiful land of Goa and congratulating everyone for the successes of the World Ayurveda Congress highlighted that the World Ayurveda Congress is being organised when the journey of Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal is underway. The Prime Minister said that one of the key resolutions of the Amrit Kaal is to ensure global welfare through India’s scientific, knowledge and cultural experience and Ayurveda is a strong and effective medium for that. Referring to India’s G-20 Presidency, the Prime Minister informed about the theme of G-20 ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future.
The Prime Minister expressed happiness that more than 30 countries of the world have given recognition to Ayurveda as a traditional system of medicine. He called for more sustained work to ensure wider recognition of Ayurveda. The three National institutes inaugurated today will provide new momentum to the Ayush healthcare system, he added.
He further stating “Ayurveda goes beyond treatment and promotes wellness”, pointed out that the world is shifting towards this ancient way of life after going through various changes in trends. The Prime Minister expressed delight that a lot of work with regard to Ayurveda is already underway in India. Recalling the time when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, the Prime Minister said that he had promoted institutions related to Ayurveda and worked towards the advancement of Gujarat Ayurvedic University. As a result, the Prime Minister said, “The World Health Organisation established the first and only Global Centre for Traditional Medicines in Jamnagar. Referring to the present government, the Prime Minister highlighted that the separate Ministry of Ayush was established which led to increased enthusiasm and trust towards Ayurveda. He further added that along the lines of AIIMS, All India Institute of Ayurveda are also being established. Recalling the Global Ayush Innovation and Investment Summit that took place earlier this year, the Prime Minister highlighted that WHO was full of praise for India’s efforts in the field of traditional medicine. He also informed that the world is celebrating International Yoga Day as the global festival of health and wellness. “There was a time when Yoga was looked down upon but today, it has become a source of hope and expectations for the whole of humanity”, Shri Modi remarked.
Lamenting the delayed global accord, ease and acceptance of Ayurveda in the world of today, the Prime Minister pointed out that advanced science only considers proof as the holy grail. Stressing the need to continuously work toward the documentation of ‘Data Based Evidence’, the Prime Minister said that we had Ayurveda’s results as well as effects in our favour, but we were lagging behind in terms of evidence. He emphasized that our medical data, research, and journals have to be brought together to verify every claim on modern scientific parameters. Throwing light on the work done in this regard, the Prime Minister mentioned the creation of an Ayush Research Portal for Evidence-Based Research data. The Prime Minister informed that data from about 40 thousand research studies are available so far, and during the Corona period, we had about 150 specific research studies related to AYUSH. “We are now moving forward in the direction of forming a ‘National Ayush Research Consortium”, he added.
Ayurveda and Yoga tourism can provide lot of opportunities, especially for a state like Goa, the Prime Minister said that the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Goa can prove to be an important beginning in that direction.
Speaking on the occasion Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has taken various initiatives to take Ayurveda at greater heights, the Initiatives like creating Ayush Ministry, celebrating Yoga International Day , The Ayush Visa will provide Global reach to Ayurveda. He also announced that Goa Government will create Ministry for Ayush in Goa Soon for Ayush Doctors of the State.
Dr. Sawant informed that 50% seats at AIIA, Dhargal will be reserved for Goans and also assured separate AYUSH Department in the State of Goa dedicated to the AYUSH doctors in Goa. Minister for AYUSH, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal also spoke on the occasion.
Governor of Goa Shri P.S Sredharan Pillai; Union Minister of State for Ayush, Dr Munjapara Mahendrabhai, Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik and President of Vijnana Bharat, Dr Shekhar Mande, Chief Secretary, Shri Puneet Kumar Goel, IAS, senior Govt Officials and other dignitaries were present on the occasion