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Kerala is known globally as the land of Ayurveda and wellness tourism forms a significant component of the state's overall appeal as a top-tier tourism destination; therefore it is the need of the hour that Kerala gets a National Institute of Ayurveda of its own, contends Ayurveda medicine manufacturers. 

Leaders of the Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturers Organisation of India (AMMOI) have sought to develop the proposed Government Ayurveda Medical College in Idukki as a National Institute of Ayurveda. AMMOI had recently submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Kerala to this effect. 

The world is looking up to Kerala for the authentic Ayurvedic experience. Setting up a national institute in the State would go a long way in not only promoting tourism but also bringing in foreign exchange, opined AMMOI president P. Ramkumar and D. Ramanathan, general secretary.

While Kerala had three Ayurveda medical colleges in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, and Kannur, an earlier proposal to convert any of them into a national institute had to be dropped due to objection from the staff. 

It is therefore suggested that a proposal for setting up the national institute in Idukki be included in the upcoming Union Budget. This would also help generate funds for the development of Ayurveda through Central grants, the AMMOI leaders said. 

On behalf of the Centre, Union Minister for AYUSH Sarbananda Sonowal has said that the Government of India was willing to consider proposals if they were submitted under the State annual action plan.

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