A Global Stage for Ayurveda:
The 10th World Ayurveda Conference (WAC) serves as an international stage for promoting Ayurveda and other Indian medicinal traditions. This four-day event, hosted in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, commenced on December 12, drawing thousands of attendees, including international guests. The conference concludes on December 15.
Digitally Health-Centric Theme:
Organized by the World Ayurveda Foundation—an initiative of Vijnana Bharati—themed “Digital Health – An Ayurveda Perspective,” the symposium attracts ayurvedic professionals, scholars, policymakers, diplomats, educators, and students.
Arogya Expo 2024 Showcase:
An extensive ‘Arogya Expo 2024,’ part of this global event, unfolds at Dehradun’s Parade Ground, spanning a vast area of 100,000 square feet.
Diverse Participation:
WAC Chief Coordinator, KA Chandrasekharan Nair, reported 8,221 registered participants from 59 countries, with 324 international representatives in attendance. Eleven seminars spotlight Ayurveda and indigenous healing practices, featuring a 300-strong International Delegates Assembly on Day One.
Comprehensive Seminars and Sessions:
Highlighted seminars encompass ‘International Conclave on Veterinary Ayurveda, Vriksha (Tree) Ayurveda, Ethnopharmacology and Traditional Healers’ Meet,’ Guru-Shishya Meet, Ayurveda Institutions’ Principals’ Meet, Ayush Practitioners and B2B Export-Import gatherings, and Ayurveda Industry Conclave. A special focus on Ayurveda’s role in multimedia, with the introduction of a Short Film Festivals segment.
Prime Minister’s Endorsement:
In a message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the inauguration on December 12, he emphasized Ayurveda’s potential in reinforcing global health frameworks. He praised its holistic approach, encompassing prevention, nourishment, and mental wellness.
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami’s Vision:
Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, inaugurated the event. He voiced his ambition to extend Ayurveda’s reach across the country and globally, collaborating with herbal product practitioners and manufacturers. Acknowledging its efficacy in treating COVID-19 from the onset, Dhami announced the establishment of 300 Ayurveda hospitals in Uttarakhand and proposed a national-level research institute.
Ayush Secretary’s Strategic Outline:
Presiding over WAC’s initial session, Ayush Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha highlighted the alignment with the 2030 Agenda, aiming for fair health outcomes and prosperous scalability of Ayurveda. He acknowledged India’s strides in the sector’s renaissance over 20 years.
Congress Chairman’s Insights:
Dr. P Madhavan Kutty Varier, head of the National Organizing Committee, lauded the Congress’s role in advancing Ayurveda’s incorporation into mainstream healthcare.
Research and Industry Innovations:
Among the 3,993 research submissions, 1,222 were showcased at WAC. At the Arogya Expo, 222 companies demonstrated their cutting-edge products.