In the government’s latest attempt to project traditional medicine onto the world stage, Union Ayush Minister Prataprao Jadhav pledged on Friday that India would advance Ayurveda not only as a healthcare system but also as a sustainable solution to global health and environmental challenges.
A Tradition Recast for the Modern World
The remarks came as the country prepares to mark the 10th Ayurveda Day on September 23 at the All India Institute of Ayurveda in Goa. With the theme “Ayurveda for People and Planet,” this year’s commemoration reflects New Delhi’s efforts to cast Ayurveda as more than a medical practice — presenting it instead as a philosophy of living in harmony with nature.
Citing the first nationwide survey on Ayush practices by the National Sample Survey Office, Jadhav emphasized that Ayurveda remains widely used across both rural and urban India. He argued that its principles of balance and prevention could help address not only lifestyle-related illnesses but also the mounting health costs of climate stress and industrialization.
Campaigns to Expand Reach
The government plans a range of initiatives: “Little Steps to Wellness” for students, “Lead the Mislead” against false advertising in the health sector, and “Ayurveda Aahara for Obesity” to encourage dietary reform. Future programs will extend Ayurveda into cancer care, veterinary and plant health, and digital platforms.
Officials said more than ₹12,000 crore has been invested to date to embed Ayurveda in India’s health system. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Prajapati, Director of the AIIA, added that this year’s celebration will also feature the National Dhanvantari Ayurveda Awards and citizen engagement campaigns through MyGov and MyBharat platforms.
Between Heritage and Global Ambition
Ayurveda’s expansion is part of India’s larger soft power strategy, positioning traditional knowledge as both a cultural export and a modern health solution. Yet global medical communities remain divided. Advocates see a chance to integrate preventive, eco-friendly practices into mainstream health care, while skeptics warn of insufficient clinical validation and the risk of commercial misrepresentation.
For Jadhav, the goal is clear. “Ayurveda is not only about healing people,” he said. “It is about sustaining the planet.”
