Promotion of Ayurveda and Government Efforts in Alternative Medicine: Ayushman Bharat, AYUSH Wellness, and Medical Tourism in India (narendramodi.in)

With its origins dating back over 5,000 years, Ayurveda has evolved into a holistic system of medicine that not only addresses physical ailments but also nurtures the harmony between mind, body, and spirit. In the diverse landscape of India, Ayurveda has thrived as a time-honoured healing tradition, offering a unique blend of natural remedies, dietary guidelines, and lifestyle practices that aim to restore balance and vitality. Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ayurveda has experienced a renaissance, with renewed efforts to integrate its principles into modern healthcare, promote research, and position it as a beacon of holistic wellness on both national and international fronts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has underscored the significance of Ayurveda, portraying it not merely as a medical system but as an integral facet of Indian tradition and ethos—a veritable way of life. Recognising India as the birthplace of Ayurveda, PM Modi has expressed unwavering commitment to amplifying its global influence. India takes strides to expand Ayurveda's global footprint, which symbolises a harmonious blend of ancient wisdom and contemporary global wellness paradigms. Underlining a revolutionary shift towards wellness and prevention, PM Modi has reiterated the significance of integrated and holistic medicine systems for the overall health and wellness of the populace.

PM Modi took to X in 2021 to declare the WHO's decision to announce the setting up of the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in India, which has encouraged students from various countries to come to India to study Ayurveda and traditional medicines.

Prime Minister Modi has steered the nation's health agenda towards comprehensive methodologies, intertwining integrated medicine systems to address contemporary health challenges. He has underlined the pivotal role of evidence-based research structures in the 21st century, stressing the importance of their contribution.

During the pandemic, the global demand for Ayurvedic products soared, registering a remarkable 45 per cent increase. Prime Minister Modi celebrated this surge as a testament to the newfound confidence in Indian spices, like ginger, turmeric, cloves etc.. and Ayurvedic solutions worldwide. He emphasised that during the then ongoing health crisis, the focus extended beyond the use of Ayurveda alone to encompass advanced research in Ayush, both within the country and globally.

Prime Minister Modi asserts that Ayurveda is no longer an alternative but a fundamental pillar of the country's national health policy and interventions. Congratulating the two premier Ayurveda Institutes, he urged them to pioneer new curricula aligned with emerging opportunities and challenges in modern medicine. Furthermore, he called upon the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MoHRD) and the University Grants Commission (UGC) to enhance postdoctoral and doctoral studies, positioning Ayurveda as a global leader through its contributions to the "Vocal for Local" initiative. Highlighting the imperative of wellness, Prime Minister Modi envisions the establishment of 1.5 lakh Health & Wellness Centres across the country as part of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. Among these, 12,500 centres will specifically focus on Ayush Wellness, further promoting integrative medicine systems.

Reference: Promotion of Ayurveda and Government Efforts in Alternative Medicine: Ayushman Bharat, AYUSH Wellness, and Medical Tourism in India (narendramodi.in)