Om Sree Gurubyo Namaha.
40…44…56! Ayur World is getting ‘obese’ and we are not complaining!
This issue is special in more ways than one. To begin with, the Union Budget has brought renewed attention to the Ayush sector. Increased allocation, the announcement of three new All India Institutes for Ayurveda (AIIAs), and several forward-looking measures have collectively energized stakeholders across the spectrum.
Among the public too, curiosity is running high. Speculation is rife about where these new AIIAs will come up. The Delhi AIIA has already set a benchmark, not just in terms of patient footfall, both inpatient and outpatient, but also in its role in easing the burden on institutions like AIIMS. More importantly, it has demonstrated, over the past few years, the tangible contribution Ayurveda can make to public healthcare.
The second highlight is the Third International Ayush Conference and Exhibition (IACE) held at the World Trade Centre, Dubai. This edition marked a significant leap forward: participation from over 20 countries, an overbooked exhibition with more than 20,000 footfalls, vibrant buyer-seller interactions, and meaningful deliberations that included voices from modern medicine. Add to that the screening of compelling short films and the drafting of a White Paper on Mind-Body Health by international delegates, the event has truly set a new benchmark. Our detailed report captures the IACE story in a nutshell.
Equally noteworthy was the active participation of Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Hon’ble Minister of Ayush; Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush; senior officials from the UAE health and academic sectors; and representatives from the WHO across all three days. While geopolitical tensions in the Middle East may have delayed certain expected outcomes, there is little doubt that these engagements will soon translate into tangible progress in terms of strengthening Ayush and integrative healthcare in the region.
On a personal note, the idea for this issue’s cover story emerged while listening to Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha’s inaugural address at IACE. His call for the sector to push harder towards the ambitious $200 billion target by 2030 struck a chord. In response, we reached out to key stakeholders to share their perspectives on the opportunities and challenges tied to this ‘200/2030’ vision. The candidness of their responses is, in itself, a sign of a maturing sector. One hopes that the Ministry of Ayush will continue to play its enabling role, building on the foundation it has steadily laid since its inception.
Finally, Harsha-22 is an exciting R&D story, which promises to wake you up from ‘anesthesia’ in many ways.
There’s much more in these pages from across the world of Ayurveda and integrative health. Do read on and write back with your thoughts.
Best wishes.
