1. Ayurveda, the Indian medical system, and Yoga are shining brighter after centuries of use and are the most sacred science of life originated from ancient Indian scriptures and India’s healing gift to the world. Both are art, science, and philosophy which touches all four aspects of health i. e. physical, mental, social, and spiritual. India, being the home to such immense historical knowledge of the natural ways of life, has both a responsibility as well as an obligation to share this knowledge with the world. One such knowledge system is Ayurveda. Ayurveda is based more on holistic well being and prevention from disease and then cure. Not just a medical system, It is a manifestation of our symbiotic relationship with nature too. Just like Yoga, research, and experience in Ayurveda has consistently portrayed the importance of following Ayurvedic principles and practices in our routine. With a plethora of health benefits, Ayurveda is a field of medicine that shows global understanding and acceptance. Evolved over thousands of years, these historical ways have way more than what meets the eye, and slowly its various advantages are being unraveled and made available to the world.

2. Along with breakthroughs in modern medicines, India is also putting great importance on these indigenous medicinal ways through its Ministry of AYUSH. The National Ayush Mission (NAM) is one such initiative taken to promote Ayush medicines and make them more streamlined and accessible in the nation. To make the knowledge widely understood, the recently proposed National Education Policy would also include Ayurveda alongside Allopathy for a more comprehensive education to students.

3. India has been actively initiating cooperation with other countries to enable better health care services worldwide using Ayurveda and Yoga. The AYUSH department ‘Central Sector Scheme for Promotion of International Cooperation’ aims to promote global acceptance of AYUSH systems of medicines. India has conducted various international exchange programmes, seminars, and workshops on AYUSH. MoUs for ‘Country to Country cooperation in the field of traditional medicine’ have been signed with multiple countries and are in pipeline with many more.

4. The Covid-19 pandemic we’re going through has given people a lot to think about in their living habits and people have turned towards Ayurveda, as modern medicines are limited to the number of diseases humanity has already faced. The body’s immunity is always the first line of defense against any form of disease. Ayurveda and Yoga share the philosophy of strengthening the human body and mind through preventative, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative approaches.

The Government of India has taken initiatives such as the ‘Interdisciplinary AYUSH Research and Development Task Force’ to minimize the Covid-19 pandemic sufferings using AYUSH methods. The task force has also initiated multiple activities to boost research and bring together modern medicines and Ayurveda to fight it out together. Integration of these approaches offers us a complete strategy to tackle any virus or disease, not just the corona virus. It is now clear, more than ever, that good healthcare should not just be limited to solutions offered to problems but also to prevent them.

5. Ayurveda is extremely dynamic in its functions. Natural ingredients like herbs and seeds ensure there are no negative impacts and it serves all humans regardless of age, gender and has minimal to no restriction for people with a medical history. It is best to inculcate practices like Ayurveda and Yoga in society from a young age so as to reap the maximum benefits that is - a healthy body and a healthy mind.

6. At present, so many Ayurveda practitioners are serving the society in Japan and their endeavour to make people understand its importance is evident from the visible growing number of students in the Yoga and Ayurveda courses being conducted by the Vivekananda Cultural Centre at the Embassy of India, Tokyo.

I extend my warm greetings to all, who have joined today’s webinar and hope such ventures would be successful in making more and more people realize the importance of Ayurveda in the world.

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