Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday placed India's ancient healing systems at the forefront of the worldwide health dialogue. He marked a historic moment by flagging off the launch of the Traditional Medicine Global Library (TMGL), envisioned as a shared international platform to anchor systems like Ayurveda and Yoga in modern research, policy, and evidence-based care.
A Global Repository for Ancient Wisdom
Addressing the closing ceremony of the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, PM Modi stated that the digital library fulfills a key commitment made during India's G20 presidency. The TMGL will consolidate scientific data, research papers, and policy documents related to traditional medicine from across the world onto a single, accessible platform. "This will ensure equal access to authentic information for every country," the Prime Minister emphasized.
This groundbreaking initiative hosts content from 194 nations, moving away from scattered, region-specific knowledge to a unified global repository. The library is designed to empower evidence-based research, shape better regulations, and enable the safer integration of traditional practices into national health frameworks worldwide.
Delhi Declaration and India's Leadership Role
The Prime Minister noted that the three-day summit showcased a powerful convergence of tradition and technology, with in-depth deliberations on research, digital tools, artificial intelligence (AI), global standards, and investment. These discussions have culminated in the Delhi Declaration, which will now serve as a common roadmap for international cooperation on safety, standards, and training in traditional medicine.
Highlighting India's central role in this global movement, PM Modi expressed pride that the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine is located in Jamnagar. He also inaugurated the new WHO South-East Asia Regional Office Complex in Delhi, describing it as a future global hub for research, regulation, and capacity building in the health sector.
Linking Tradition to Modern Health Challenges
Connecting ancient wisdom to contemporary health crises, the Prime Minister pointed out that lifestyle imbalances are driving the rise of diseases like diabetes, heart conditions, depression, and cancer. "Restoring balance is not just a global cause but a global urgency," he asserted.
In a significant announcement, he outlined steps to strengthen integrative cancer care, which blends traditional systems with modern oncology treatments. He also highlighted ongoing clinical studies on anaemia, arthritis, and diabetes, alongside the growing innovation in this field by Indian startups.
Key Ayush Initiatives Unveiled
During the landmark event, PM Modi launched several pivotal initiatives under the Ayush ministry:
- The My Ayush Integrated Services Portal for streamlined public access to services.
- The Ayush Mark, established as a global quality benchmark for Ayush products.
- A WHO technical report on yoga training was also released.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister felicitated the recipients of the Prime Minister's Awards for Outstanding Contribution to the Promotion and Development of Yoga, recognizing their sustained efforts in popularizing yoga across the globe.
