Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said Ayurveda is not merely an ancient Indian medical tradition but an important foundation for building a healthier future. Addressing the 11th Ayurveda Day programme at Mercury Hall, Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, he called for greater integration of Ayurveda, yoga and other Indian systems of medicine with modern research, education and innovation.
Maurya said India’s traditional knowledge of Ayurveda is gaining wider recognition and stressed the need to strengthen public confidence through scientific research and evidence-based practices. He clarified that he was not opposed to allopathic medicine, saying every medical system has its own utility and that greater coordination and exchange of knowledge among Ayurveda, homoeopathy, Unani and modern medicine could contribute to better healthcare.
He said Uttar Pradesh is working towards the “One District-One Medical College” vision and emphasised the need to similarly expand Ayurveda education and healthcare facilities across all districts.
Highlighting India’s traditional lifestyle and dietary practices, Maurya said yoga, millets and other nutritious traditional foods are receiving growing global attention. He urged Ayurveda students, doctors, teachers and researchers to pursue innovation and strengthen the evidence base of the discipline.
He also highlighted the global acceptance of yoga and said India’s healthcare traditions have the potential to benefit people beyond the country. Referring to the Sanskrit ideal “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah”, he said the ultimate objective of Indian medical traditions is service to humanity.
During the programme, Maurya honoured Padma Shri awardees Professor Manoranjan Sahu, Professor Chandrashekhar Singh and Professor K.K. Thakral. Yoga programme participants, competition winners, districts and doctors were also felicitated.
Maurya additionally launched the AYUSH Clinical Establishment Registration Portal, aimed at facilitating registration of AYUSH clinical establishments.
Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge) Dayashankar Mishra ‘Dayalu’ said the year’s Ayurveda Day theme, “Ayurveda for a Healthy Future,” underlines the importance of combining traditional healthcare knowledge with modern scientific research and emerging health technologies.
Principal Secretary, AYUSH, Ranjan Kumar said Ayurveda represents a holistic approach that considers the body, mind, lifestyle and environment as interconnected components of health. Senior AYUSH officials, Ayurveda experts, doctors, teachers, researchers and students attended the programme.
