By MTT Team
On the 10th National Ayurveda Day, held at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in Goa, key dignitaries emphasised that Goa can evolve into a global centre for Ayurveda‑based wellness tourism.
The occasion was attended by the Governor of Goa, Ashok Gajapathi Raju; Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant; Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav; and Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Shripad Yesso Naik.
Ayurveda Day becomes a global movement
Governor Raju observed that Ayurveda Day, once a national observance, has now gained global traction: over 150 countries now recognize it. He endorsed the theme “Ayurveda for People and Planet” as aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Raju stressed the need to maintain the authenticity of Ayurveda while adopting digital tools such as the NAMASTE portal and Ayush HMIS to enhance access and practice grounded in evidence.
He also underscored Goa’s potential as a global hub for Ayurveda wellness tourism. He praised the establishment of an Integrative Oncology Unit at AIIA Goa (in partnership with the Tata Memorial Centre), which aims to combine Ayurvedic and modern cancer care. He called for promoting local medicinal plants, scientific validation of therapies, and ethical, research‑based marketing to spur employment and regional growth.
Goa’s advantage: nature, biodiversity, and integration
Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant pointed to the rising incidence of lifestyle diseases—such as diabetes, obesity, and stress—and said Ayurveda’s principles (e.g. Dinacharya, Ritucharya) offer effective, sustainable preventive strategies. He aligned these ideas with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s concern over obesity, proposing Ayurveda’s detoxification, diet, herbal medicines, and yoga as long‑term wellness tools.
Dr. Sawant emphasized Goa’s rich biodiversity—spanning Western Ghats and coastal flora—as key advantages for Ayurvedic research and cultivation of medicinal plants. He announced a tripartite MoU signed among the Government of Goa, Tata Memorial Centre, and AIIA Goa to set up an Integrative Oncology Centre, envisaged as a progressive merger of traditional and modern medicine for better patient outcomes.
National initiatives and campaigns amplify Ayurveda
Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav traced the global rise of Ayurveda and noted that designating September 23 as Ayurveda Day—coinciding with the autumnal equinox—symbolizes balance in nature, a core Ayurvedic concept. He also lauded the “Desh ka Swasthya Parikshan Abhiyan” (launched on Ayurveda Day last year): over 1.29 crore citizens participated in health screenings based on Ayurvedic parameters, supported by more than 1.8 lakh volunteers. This campaign even set five Guinness World Records and paved the way for data‑driven Ayurvedic research.
Jadhav stressed that such programs strengthen integration between traditional systems and modern medicine, promoting preventive, predictive, and personalized healthcare models.
Shripad Yesso Naik, speaking on broader challenges like non‑communicable diseases, mental health, and environmental stress, said Ayurveda—with its emphasis on plant‑based remedies, preventive care, and harmony with nature—is ideally suited to address both health and sustainability concerns. He welcomed Goa’s efforts and the integrative medicine push, praising the new oncology collaboration with Tata Memorial Centre as an exemplar of convergence. Naik also noted Prime Minister Modi’s role in elevating Ayush systems globally and called for evidence‑based approaches to integrating Ayurveda into primary care.
Highlights and institutional developments
The Ayurveda Day event featured several new initiatives:
- Launch of the DRAVYA portal, a digital platform for Ayurvedic substances, to improve access and standardization.
- Unveiling of new facilities at AIIA Goa, notably the Integrative Oncology Unit, and multiple MoUs for academic exchange, integrative oncology research, and global partnerships.
- The “Ran‑Bhaji Utsav,” celebrating forest vegetables central to Ayurvedic diet traditions.
- Presentation of the National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards 2025, honoring distinguished contributors such as Prof. Bamwari Lal Gaur, Vd. Neelakanthan Mooss E.T., and Vd. Bhavana Prasher.
- Publication releases, including “25 Years Journey of NMPB,” “Ayurveda for Sports Medicine,” and “Ayurveda Insight for Restful Sleep,” alongside technical research reports.
The event was attended by key officials: MLA Praveen Arlekar, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha (Secretary, Ministry of Ayush), Prof. Pradeep Kumar Prajapati (Director, AIIA, New Delhi), Prof. Sujata Kadam (Dean, AIIA Goa), Vaidya Devendra Triguna, and WHO representatives among others.
Positioning Goa and Ayurveda’s future trajectory
The 10th National Ayurveda Day in Goa marked a crucial step in elevating Ayurveda’s national and international stature. Through infrastructure expansion, integrative medicine collaborations, digitization of Ayurvedic resources, and public engagement campaigns, the Ayush Ministry intends to position Ayurveda as a core pillar of future healthcare—not just in India but globally. Goa’s unique biodiversity, institutional investments, and vision for integrative tourism make it a promising candidate to emerge as a global hub for Ayurveda‑based wellness tourism.