Rajasthan Chief Minister Champions Ayurveda and Yoga at National Institute Event
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma declared on Monday that the Rajasthan government is working with high priority to promote Ayurveda and ensure its widespread adoption among the public. He made these remarks while addressing a gathering at the Golden Jubilee celebration of the National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA) in Jaipur.
Ayurveda and Yoga: Pillars of India's Global Leadership
Sharma emphasized the profound role of Ayurveda and Yoga in establishing India as a Vishwaguru, or world teacher. "Along with the Vedas, our sages have understood human life through Ayurveda. Great physicians like Charak, Sushrut, and Vagbhatt gave systematic form to this knowledge," he stated. He highlighted that the Charak Samhita identifies a healthy body as the primary foundation for dharma, and noted that Sushrut is globally recognized as the father of surgery.
National Institute of Ayurveda: A Five-Decade Legacy
The Chief Minister praised the NIA, which began as a college in 1976 and has evolved into one of India's premier deemed-to-be Ayurveda universities. "The prestige and national leadership that the institute has established over 50 years is truly inspiring," he said. Sharma detailed that the NIA has built its leadership across four critical pillars:
- Education
- Training
- Research
- Patient care
Government Initiatives and Prime Minister Modi's Vision
Sharma connected the state's efforts to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of ‘Treatment in India and Treatment by India'. He credited the establishment of a separate AYUSH Ministry with revitalizing traditional medicine systems, including Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. "The Prime Minister was instrumental in getting June 21 declared as International Yoga Day at the United Nations, which provided global recognition not only to Yoga but to the entire Indian medical tradition," he added.
Rajasthan's Concrete Steps to Boost Ayurveda
The Chief Minister outlined specific measures taken by the state government to enhance Ayurvedic infrastructure and accessibility:
- Establishment of new Ayurveda hospitals, colleges, and dispensaries to ensure accessible medical facilities.
- Increase in graduate and postgraduate seats in Ayurvedic education.
- Strengthening of modern laboratories, drug-standardization units, and teaching pharmacies.
- Increased investment in Ayurveda research and expansion of related institutions.
Sharma also assured full cooperation for land allocation to the NIA in Jaipur, reinforcing the government's commitment to supporting the institute's growth and development.
