Minister for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav today said Ayurveda offers a holistic approach to prevent lifestyle-related diseases and maintain health through a balanced diet, disciplined routine, sound sleep, yoga and harmony with nature.
Addressing the national celebrations of the 11th Ayurveda Day in Nagpur, Mr. Jadhav said the theme of this year’s Ayurveda Day is “Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow.” Secretary Ayush Rajesh Kotecha, DG of Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Science (CCRAS), Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya, were present on this occasion.
Stressing the importance of Ayurveda-aligned lifestyle, Mr Jadaho said the first centre of healthcare is the home and the first foundation of health is a healthy lifestyle rather than medicines alone. The Minister said the world is facing lifestyle-related health challenges, including diabetes, obesity, hypertension, mental stress, sleep disorders and age-related problems.
He said Ayurveda’s principle of “Swasthasya Swasthya Rakshanam, Aturasya Vikara Prashamanam” emphasises protection of the health of healthy persons along with treatment of disease.
Mr. Jadhav highlighted the significance of September 23 as Ayurveda Day. He said the Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, notified in March 2025 that September 23 would be observed every year as Ayurveda Day on a permanent basis.
He said the date coincides with the autumnal equinox, symbolising balance between day and night and reflecting the principle of balance central to Ayurveda.
The Minister mentioned that, Ayush sector has made significant progress during the last 12 years.
He referred to the intiatives like establishment of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre at Jamnagar in Gujrat according of the status of an Institute of National Importance to the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), and the inclusion of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani in the WHO’s ICD-11 framework.
Mr. Jadhav also said Maharashtra has played an important role in the development of Ayurveda, with its educational institutions, hospitals, medicinal plant resources and research infrastructure.
He particularly highlighted the role of the Regional Research Institute of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) at Nagpur, in addressing local health needs.
During this programme, 6 reports of unveiled by the dignitaries, which include Safety Dossiers on Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) and Chandrasura (Lepidium sativum), Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) on Skin Disorders, Report on the “Ayush Services Sector”, prepared by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS).
Other reports also include “From Traditional Wisdom to Global Leadership: Ayush Vision 2030” – Report, Status Report on Ayush-related Inventions in India and launch of CCRAS-AGNI Assessment Scale Web Portal.
Following the inaugural ceremony of Ayurveda Day, Scientific sessions were addressed by eminent scientists . Stakeholders from Ayurveda and students of Ayurvedic College were present in this program.
Meanwhile, talking to reporters on the sidelines of the event, Ayush Secretary Rajesh Kotecha said that currently Ayush Sector size in India is 6.5 lakh crore and is contributing 1.5 percent in Countrys GDP. This sector is expected to grow over 200 billion by 2030.