Ayurveda’s heritage is a strong foundation for a healthy future: Dy.CM Keshav Prasad Maurya

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India's rich Ayurvedic tradition is gaining global recognition. By integrating Ayurveda with the modern healthcare system, the government is promoting research, education, and innovation. He emphasised that Ayurveda, Yoga, Homoeopathy, Unani, and other Indian systems of medicine play a crucial role in building a healthy India and a healthy Uttar Pradesh.

The Deputy Chief Minister addressed the gathering as the chief guest at an event organised to mark the 11th Ayurveda Day at Mercury Hall, Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow on Wednesday.

Maurya cited a popular saying from rural areas: "The first happiness is a healthy body; the second is prosperity at home." A healthy body is the foundation of true prosperity. Ayurveda and Yoga provide vital guidance for adopting a healthy lifestyle and leading a disease-free life. He noted that public trust in Ayurveda is continuously increasing, and to further strengthen this trust, special emphasis must be placed on research and validation.

He clarified that he is not opposed to the Allopathic system of medicine; every medical system has its own utility. The need of the hour is better coordination and knowledge exchange among Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Unani, and modern medical systems so that useful information from each system becomes widely available and patients receive more effective healthcare services.

The Deputy Chief Minister said work is underway in Uttar Pradesh toward the goal of "One District, One Medical College." Similarly, Ayurveda education and medical facilities need to expand in every district. He noted that high-level Ayurveda institutions are being developed across the country, further strengthening public confidence in the Indian system of medicine.

While felicitating Padma Shri Professor Manoranjan Sahu, Padma Shri Professor Chandrashekhar Singh, and Padma Shri Professor K.K. Thakral—who were present at the event—Maurya remarked that the presence of three Padma Shri awardees on a single platform was a matter of pride. He commended their contributions to Ayurveda and extended his congratulations and best wishes.

The Deputy Chief Minister stated that the rich tradition of Ayurveda has been an integral part of India's way of life for thousands of years. He observed that the entire world is embracing Yoga today, and the observance of June 21 as World Yoga Day stands as a testament to the global acceptance of India's ancient knowledge traditions. He emphasised that the Indian knowledge tradition on medicine and health should not be confined to India; rather, its benefits should extend to the entire world.

He stressed the need to understand and adopt our traditional lifestyle, dietary habits, and knowledge systems rooted in natural resources to ensure a healthy life.

He urged Ayurveda students and aspiring physicians to pursue research and innovation with confidence. He said that alongside building a developed India and a developed Uttar Pradesh, the goal should also be to create a healthy India and a healthy Uttar Pradesh. In this endeavour, students, physicians, teachers, and researchers associated with Ayurveda and Indian medical systems play a crucial role, he added.

The Deputy Chief Minister remarked, “The objective of our medical tradition is not merely to provide healthcare facilities to the people of India, but to serve humanity.” He said Indian medical systems have immense potential to benefit a large global population through their knowledge and experience.

He noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is moving forward by integrating its ancient knowledge traditions with modern technology, research, and innovation. New possibilities are also emerging in Ayurveda. He urged students and all medical professionals to continuously elevate research standards and help make Ayurveda even more credible and effective globally.

“It serves as a cornerstone. It is the responsibility of us all to pass on this glorious medical tradition of India to the new generation and to develop it within a modern context,” he said.

On this occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister and the Minister of State for AYUSH honoured Padma Shri awardees by presenting them with traditional shawls, mementoes, and citations. Additionally, the Minister presented awards and AYUSH citations for yoga programs, district-level competitions, and doctors for their contributions. Maurya also launched the AYUSH Clinical Establishment Registration Portal.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of State (Independent Charge), Dayashankar Mishra “Dayalu” noted that this year's Ayurveda Day theme, "Ayurveda for a Healthy Future," offers an opportunity to reflect on how we can provide quality healthcare to the general public by integrating our ancient medical traditions with modern scientific research and the latest health technologies. Medical science has made unprecedented progress today; the number of hospitals is increasing, modern medical equipment is becoming available, and healthcare services are expanding.

Principal Secretary (AYUSH) Ranjan Kumar highlighted the government's innovative efforts and initiatives to expand Ayurvedic healthcare.

Director General (AYUSH) and Director of the AYUSH Mission Gauri Shankar Priyadarshi, Special Secretary (AYUSH) Madan Singh Garbyal, Director of Ayurveda Dr Narayan Das, Director of Homoeopathy Pramod Kumar Singh, and Director of Unani Prof. Jamal Akhtar, along with Ayurveda experts, physicians, teachers, AYUSH students, and other senior departmental officials participated in the Ayurveda Day.

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VRC Phaniharan

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