Celebration of 9th Ayurveda Day at Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Kohima on October 29.
KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 1 (MExN): The 9th World Ayurveda Day was celebrated on October 29 at the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Kohima, under the theme “Ayurveda Innovation for Global Health.”
In her welcome address, Dr T Bendangtula, Deputy Director (Ayush) highlighted the significant milestones achieved by the Ayush Wing under the Directorate since its inception. She emphasised the impetus provided by the Government of India through the Ministry of Ayush to promote Ayurveda within the broader Ayush system of medicine.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Khonuo Mary, i/c Medical Superintendent of IAH Razha Chedema, elaborated on the relevance of Ayurveda as an ancient system of medicine that remains integral to society today.
She noted that Ayurveda is gaining international recognition, with around 150 countries celebrating Ayurveda Day. The World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged Ayurveda’s contributions to global health, and products manufactured in India are exported to over 100 countries.
Dr Akhuo Sorhie, Mission Director of the National Ayush Mission (NAM) and National Health Mission (NHM), discussed various health care schemes and policies supported by the Ministry of Ayush.
He highlighted the Ayush Wing's involvement in executing state-level initiatives such as the School Health Program, Non-communicable Diseases (NCD) program, Public Health Initiative Program, Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP), and the establishment of an Ayush Drug Testing Laboratory.
The event also featured the distribution of various medicinal plant saplings, including Agarwood, Ashoka, Chamomile, and Ashwagandha, to the employees of the Directorate.
These saplings were provided through the Regional-cum-Facilitation Centre for the North-eastern region, set up by the National Medicinal Plants Board under the Ministry of Ayush at CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat. Dr. Lanusunep, Consultant for the State Medicinal Plants Board (SMPB), presented on the benefits and importance of medicinal plants, alongside an overview of the SMPB.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr Seyeikhrietuo John, State Nodal Officer for NAM, who expressed gratitude to the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare for its support and conveyed the Ayush Wing's aspirations for future progress.
