Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine from India, emphasises holistic health by balancing the body, mind, and spirit. The word “Ayurveda” combines two Sanskrit terms: “ayu” (life) and “veda” (knowledge), translating to “knowledge of life.” In India, the Government has celebrated Ayurveda Day on Dhanawantari Jayanti (Dhanteras) annually since 2016 to promote awareness of Ayurvedic principles, medicinal plants, and lifestyle practices. This day is dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari, revered as the divine physician who brought this knowledge to humanity from Lord Brahma. Celebrating Ayurveda Day honors his contributions, highlighting Ayurveda’s core philosophies and health practices.
On the occasion of Dhanvantari Jayanti and the 9th Ayurveda Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate a series of significant health sector projects valued at over Rs 12,850 crore. These initiatives underscore India’s dedication to fostering accessible healthcare and promoting Ayurveda, a traditional system of medicine. A central part of this expansion is the second phase of the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), which now includes a Panchakarma hospital, an Ayurvedic pharmacy, a sports medicine unit, a central library, an IT and start-ups incubation center, and a 500-seat auditorium.
Highlighting Ayurveda’s potential to complement modern medicine, PM Modi will also unveil four Ayush Centres of Excellence. These include the Centre of Excellence for diabetes and metabolic disorders at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, and the Centre of Excellence in sustainable Ayush for advanced technological solutions and start-up support at IIT Delhi. Additionally, the Central Drug Research Institute in Lucknow will host a Centre of Excellence for fundamental and translational research in Ayurveda, and Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi will feature a Centre of Excellence on Ayurveda and Systems Medicine. Each center is committed to leveraging Ayurveda to address contemporary health issues while fostering sustainable healthcare solutions.
The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stones for two Central Research Institutes in Yoga and Naturopathy, located in Khordha, Odisha, and Raipur, Chhattisgarh. These initiatives are key steps in integrating Ayurveda into mainstream healthcare, strengthening research and clinical practice in traditional medicine, and showcasing Ayurveda’s significant role in India’s healthcare landscape.
Ayurveda’s Role in Addressing Global Health Challenges
Ayurveda, a centuries-old system of medicine, is increasingly being recognized for its potential to address complex global health issues. The theme “Ayurveda Innovation for Global Health” brings focus to how Ayurvedic approaches can provide sustainable and effective solutions, especially for combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and antimicrobial resistance. NCDs, like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, are growing concerns worldwide, affecting millions and imposing a heavy economic burden. Ayurveda’s emphasis on individualized treatment and natural remedies provides an alternative pathway to managing these chronic conditions, with fewer side effects and more sustainable long-term health benefits.
Tackling Health Challenges of Climate Change, Aging, and Mental Health
The impact of climate change on health is undeniable, with increased respiratory illnesses, mental health strain, and a rise in infectious diseases. Ayurvedic practices promote natural harmony and resilience, equipping people to better handle these challenges. Ayurveda also emphasizes geriatric care, offering solutions to age-related ailments through personalized wellness plans. Furthermore, mental health support in Ayurveda—grounded in practices like yoga, meditation, and herbal therapies—can aid in managing stress, anxiety, and other mental health conditions, encouraging a holistic approach to psychological well-being.
Emphasising Preventive Health and Holistic Wellness
Preventive health lies at the core of Ayurveda, aligning well with the global shift toward holistic wellness. Ayurveda’s preventive focus encourages lifestyle modifications, diet management, and routine health practices to maintain balance and prevent illness before it arises. Such measures are particularly important in reducing the global health burden by decreasing the prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases. The integration of Ayurveda into preventive health care can thus play a pivotal role in achieving long-term wellness.
Supporting SDGs and Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Ayurveda offers a framework that promotes equity, accessibility, and affordability in health care. Its low-cost, low-tech interventions can reach underserved populations, helping bridge the gap in health equity. Ayurveda’s integration into global health systems aligns with SDG targets for ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all, paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable health care model globally.
The theme “Ayurveda Innovation for Global Health” underscores the potential of Ayurvedic approaches in addressing modern health challenges. By embracing its preventive, holistic, and inclusive principles, Ayurveda can make a meaningful contribution to global health and well-being.
Understanding the 2024 Theme: “Ayurveda Innovation for Global Health”
This year’s theme, “Ayurveda Innovation for Global Health,” highlights the vital role Ayurvedic medicine can play in addressing pressing health challenges worldwide. By embracing innovation within the traditional Ayurvedic system, the focus is on addressing contemporary health issues through a holistic, preventive, and sustainable approach. This theme supports initiatives like combatting non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and antimicrobial resistance, recognizing the urgent need for sustainable healthcare solutions. Additionally, Ayurveda’s unique emphasis on balancing mind, body, and environment aligns with the rising global interest in addressing climate change, geriatric care, mental health, and nutritional disorders holistically.
This focus on preventive health and holistic wellness also connects deeply with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) vision, emphasizing accessible, affordable, and effective healthcare for all. Ayurveda’s integration into the global health framework presents an opportunity to innovate traditional practices and bring them into modern contexts, fostering improved quality of life worldwide.
Themes of Previous Years
2016: Ayurveda for Prevention & Control of Diabetes – Focused on Ayurveda’s preventive measures and therapeutic potential in diabetes management, helping to mitigate the rising global burden of diabetes.
2017: Ayurveda for Pain Management– Highlighted Ayurveda’s role in managing and alleviating chronic and acute pain through natural and non-invasive treatments.
2018: Ayurveda for Public Health – Explored Ayurveda’s contributions to public health, particularly its role in community wellness and disease prevention.
2019: Ayurveda for Longevity – Emphasized Ayurveda’s approach to enhancing lifespan and improving the quality of life through balanced living.
2020: Ayurveda for Covid-19 – Addressed the relevance of Ayurveda in immunity building and overall health resilience amid the global pandemic.
2021: Ayurveda for Poshan – Aligned with India’s focus on nutrition, or “Poshan,” Ayurveda was promoted as a means to improve nutritional health and wellness.
2022: Har Din Har Ghar Ayurved – Aimed to integrate Ayurveda into daily lives and households, encouraging a culture of holistic health within communities.
2023: Ayurveda for One Health – Focused on the interconnected health of people, animals, and the environment, advocating for a more inclusive and integrative approach to health
Women’s Health: Ayurveda offers a unique approach to women’s health by addressing their distinct health challenges through natural and holistic practices. It emphasizes dietary adjustments, personalized lifestyle choices, and preventive measures tailored to support hormonal balance, reproductive health, and mental well-being. In the context of Ayurveda Day 2024, this focus area aims to educate women on how Ayurvedic practices can alleviate common health issues, enhance vitality, and provide sustainable solutions for long-term wellness.
Workplace Wellness: In today’s fast-paced work environments, maintaining physical and mental health is a growing challenge. Ayurveda’s principles, with an emphasis on stress management, balanced nutrition, and lifestyle, can play a significant role in improving workplace wellness. By adopting simple Ayurvedic techniques, such as mindful eating and personalized routines, employees can boost productivity, manage stress, and foster a harmonious work-life balance. Ayurveda Day 2024 highlights this approach, advocating for a healthier, more mindful work environment.
School Wellness Programs: Fostering wellness from a young age is essential for a healthier society, and Ayurveda offers valuable insights for school-aged children. Ayurveda Day 2024 promotes the incorporation of Ayurvedic practices in school wellness programs, focusing on immunity-boosting foods, balanced diets, and practices tailored to each child’s unique constitution. This approach not only strengthens children’s physical health but also nurtures mental resilience and mindfulness, creating a foundation for healthier habits.
Food Innovation: Ayurveda’s emphasis on diet as a pillar of health offers endless possibilities for food innovation, blending traditional wisdom with modern culinary techniques. By reimagining Ayurvedic dietary principles, Ayurveda Day 2024 seeks to inspire innovations that enhance flavor and health benefits, focusing on food that is nourishing and supports various body types. This approach bridges the gap between ancient practices and contemporary food culture, making Ayurvedic nutrition accessible and appealing to a broader audience.
Origins and Development of Ayurveda
Ayurveda, known as the “science of life,” is one of the oldest and most comprehensive health care systems. Its roots trace back to India’s ancient texts, the Vedas, composed between 5000 and 1000 BC, which contain early references to plant-based treatments and natural healing methods. Ayurveda evolved into a structured medical system around 1000 BC with the creation of key texts like the Caraka Samhita and Susruta Samhita. These foundational works, later expanded upon by authors like Vagbhata in the Astanga Sangraha and Astanga Hrdaya during the 6th to 7th centuries AD, shaped Ayurveda’s eight specialties, forming a solid basis for the system’s growth and adaptation.
Spread and Influence of Ayurveda
From 200 BC onward, Ayurveda attracted medical students globally to institutions like the ancient University of Takshashila and later Nalanda, drawing scholars from regions including Japan and China. Ayurveda’s influence spread beyond India, reaching Egypt, Greece, and Rome through trade and military interactions. During the first millennium, Ayurveda also impacted Tibetan and Chinese medical practices through the spread of Buddhism. By the 9th century, renowned scholar Nagarjuna conducted in-depth studies on medicinal metals, and Ayurvedic literature began to incorporate exotic plants and new uses for native herbs.
Modernisation and Institutionalisation
Ayurveda continued to develop, with significant institutionalization in India beginning in 1827, when the Government Sanskrit College in Calcutta introduced the first Ayurveda course. The 20th century saw a resurgence of Ayurveda, with the establishment of many colleges and increased academic efforts to document and discuss Ayurvedic practices. In the 1970s, renewed recognition of Ayurveda led to further research and education, helping create a robust network of practitioners and manufacturers and bolstering public and private sector infrastructure to extend Ayurvedic care to wider communities.
Global Expansion of Ayurveda
Today, Ayurveda is gaining global recognition as a traditional medical system, acknowledged in 24 countries. Collaborative platforms like the SCO Expert Working Group on Traditional Medicine and the BRICS High-Level Forum on Traditional Medicine strengthen Ayurveda’s integration into international healthcare. The inclusion of Ayurvedic morbidity codes in the World Health Organization’s ICD-11 and WHO’s benchmarks for Ayurveda training and practice further standardize Ayurvedic care globally. The establishment of the Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, underlines India’s commitment to advancing Ayurvedic research and education.
Ayurveda Day 2024 and the Path Ahead
Ayurveda Day 2024 celebrates the enduring relevance and innovation of Ayurveda with the theme “Ayurveda Innovation for Global Health.” Recognized worldwide, Ayurveda offers solutions for modern health challenges, including non-communicable diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and climate-related health concerns, emphasizing a preventive and sustainable approach to wellness. This year’s celebration honors Lord Dhanvantari, the deity of Ayurveda, and symbolizes Ayurveda’s growing influence in global healthcare systems and its contribution to sustainable health practices. Through international collaborations and WHO recognition, Ayurveda is poised to play a key role in addressing global health needs in the future.
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