New Delhi :Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said for quality control of AYUSH drugs steps are being taken to bring regulatory amendments for effective enforcement and strengthening.
Addressing the third Global Ayurveda Festival here, he said, “In India, we have had a long great tradition of saints and hermits, who evolved our own indigenous systems of healthcare and the Government was fully committed to the promotion of Ayurveda and traditional systems of medicines.”
Noting that Kerala is the hub of traditional Ayurveda, he said the status is not only due to the long uninterrupted practice of Ayurveda in the state, but also due to the global popularity of its authentic medicines and therapies.
He, however, underlined the need for looking beyond providing healthcare, and stressed on engaging in the pursuit of good health – a combination of physical and mental well being.
Underlining that escalating costs of treatment, side effects of medicines have prompted experts to think of widening horizons to traditional systems, the Prime Minister said, “Our efforts are to tap real potential of Ayurveda, other AYUSH systems in imparting preventive, promotive, holistic healthcare to people.”
“Traditional medicine is affordable to many rural people, locally available to the communities, time-tested for its safety and efficacy,” he said, adding that above all, it imbibes the culture and eco-system of the communities within which it grows.
The Prime Minister said, “We will learn from the experience of other countries, and ensure Ayurveda and other Indian systems are propagated and popularised. We would like to offer institutions as centres for training, capacity building and information and technology exchange programmes in Ayurveda.”
Noting that India has a long history and rich heritage of Ayurveda and Yoga, he said, “Our traditions grew by sharing knowledge, both locally as well as across cultures. We will share the knowledge of our systems with the world and continue to enrich our traditions by learning from other systems.”
Recounting phrases from Ashtangahrudayam, one of the most famous texts of Ayurveda, Prime Minister Modi concluded, “The poor, those suffering from disease and those afflicted by sorrow should be helped. Even insects and ants should be treated with compassion, just as one’s own self.”
The Global Ayurveda Festival is an international Ayurvedic biennial event started to serve as a force to galvanise the Ayurvedic sector to aspire, plan and achieve greater heights.
PTI