Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that immense opportunities awaited Ayush practitioners of the country in expanding fields such as preventive cardiology, Ayurvedic orthopaedics, and Ayurvedic rehabilitation centres while asking the youth and Ayush practitioners to prepare for its growing demand in the medical and wellness tourism sector. 

Speaking after laying the foundation stone for multiple health sector projects worth around ₹12,850 crore at the All-India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, on the occasion of the 9th Ayurveda Day, Modi said that while there were already 7.5 lakh registered Ayush practitioners, more were needed to meet this growing demand. 

“In the past decade, the country has witnessed the beginning of a new chapter in the health sector with the amalgamation of knowledge of Ayurveda with modern medicine,” PM Modi said. “The Ayush manufacturing sector has grown from USD 3 billion in 2014 to nearly USD 24 billion today. This success of Ayush is transforming not only the health sector but also the economy.”

The Prime Minister underscored the importance of validating traditional herbs like Ashwagandha, turmeric, and black pepper through high-impact scientific studies. 

“Lab validation of our traditional healthcare systems will not only increase the value of these herbs but also create a significant market,” he remarked, noting the rising demand for Ashwagandha, which is projected to reach USD 2.5 billion by the end of this decade.

Among the projects launched under the ministry of Ayush, the Prime Minister inaugurated the ₹258.73 crore Phase II of the AIIA, which includes key features such as a 150-bed Panchakarma hospital, an Ayurvedic pharmacy for drug manufacturing, a sports medicine unit, a central library, an IT and start-ups centre, a 500-seat auditorium, and guest houses for both general and international visitors

Foundation stones were also laid for two Central Research Institutes in Yoga and Naturopathy (CRIYNs) at Khorda (Odisha) and Raipur (Chhattisgarh). Four Ayush Centres of Excellence (CoEs), each targeting specific areas in health research and innovation were also launched. 

The ​Centre of Excellence for Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, will focus on prediabetes and diabetes research, while the ​Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Ayush at IIT Delhi will be dedicated to developing advanced technological solutions, supporting start-ups, and creating net-zero sustainable solutions for Rasaushadhis.

The ​Centre of Excellence for Fundamental and Translational Research in Ayurveda at CDRI Lucknow will focus on advanced research in Ayurvedic botanicals like Ashwagandha, and the Centre of Excellence on Ayurveda and Systems Medicine at JNU, New Delhi, aims at researching the molecular mechanisms of Ayurvedic treatments for rheumatoid arthritis using systems medicine.

The Prime Minister also launched “Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan,” a nationwide campaign involving 4,70,000 volunteers to promote health awareness and highlight the importance of holistic well-being as part of daily life. Led by Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (I/C), Ministry of Ayush, this campaign will also attempt multiple Guinness World Records.

J.P. Nadda, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare & Chemicals & Fertilizers; Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Labour and Employment & Youth Affairs and Sports; Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ayush; Dr Manoj Nesari (Advisor, Ayush); Prof. (Dr.) Tanuja Nesari, Director, AIIA, among others were present on the occasion.