2024 saw Ayush breach new levels of popularity and legitimacy on a global level


The year 2024 has been a landmark period for Ayush with significant strides made towards the global recognition and promotion of traditional medicine. From integrating Ayurveda and Yoga into mainstream health systems worldwide to signing major agreements with countries and international organisations, 2024 saw Ayush breach new levels of popularity and legitimacy. Here are some major developments that occurred in the sector during the last twelve months:


Introduction of International Classification of Diseases (ICD) for Traditional Medicine in ICD-11 by WHO:  The data and terminology relating to diseases based on Ayurveda and other forms of traditional medicine have been included in the WHO ICD-11 classification. This effort will further strengthen and expand India’s healthcare delivery system, research, Ayush insurance coverage, research and development, and policy-making system. 


Surya Namaskar Program: On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, the Ministry of Ayush arranged a Surya Namaskar program from January 1 to January 14 to begin the year in a health-promoting manner. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from across regions and age groups. The event raised awareness of yoga's physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits in India and elsewhere. The highlight of the programme was the Guinness World Record set by the Gujarat government by holding the Surya Namaskar program at 108 venues throughout the state.


Establishment of Ayush Holistic Wellness Center and MoU with the Supreme Court of India: The then Chief Justice of India, Justice D. Y. Chandrachud, inaugurated ‘Ayush Holistic Wellness Centre’ in the premises of the Supreme Court of India on 22nd February. On this occasion, the Supreme Court and the All-India Institute of Ayurveda signed an MoU regarding establishing, operationalising and providing expert services at the Ayush Holistic Wellness Centre.


MoU with WCD Ministry for nutritional improvement in adolescent girls: The Ministry of Ayush and the Ministry of Women and Child Development signed an MoU On February 26th for the nutritional improvement in adolescent girls through Ayurveda interventions as part of a joint public health initiative for anaemia control among adolescent girls 


International Diplomacy and Collaborations: On March 1, a meeting was held with Dr. Godfrey Majoni Chipare, Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe, to discuss future collaborations in the field of traditional medicine. Additionally, India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vietnam’s Traditional Medicine Administration and Malaysia, reinforcing Ayush as a global leader in wellness and healthcare.


10th International Day of Yoga 2024: The Ministry of Ayush celebrated the 10th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on 21st June 2024, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the International Yoga Day Celebrations at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar. Over seven crore people took part in the Yoga pledge. IDY-2024 achieved another milestone by reaching a total participation of approx. 24.53 crore. Social media engagement reached 34,890,990 individuals, while community radio stations contributed 2,600,000 participants. Internationally, Indian embassies and leading yoga institutes engaged around 545,000 people. 


Collaborations and Agreements with Global Partners: The Government of India and the World Health Organization signed a Donor Agreement on 31st July 2024. This agreement outlines the financial terms for implementing the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Through this collaboration, the Government of India has committed US$ 85 million over 10 years (2022-2032) to support the operations of the WHO GTMC in Jamnagar. The Donor agreement recognises the establishment of the WHO GTMC as a key knowledge hub for evidence-based Traditional Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM). 


Prime Minister's Vision for Viksit Bharat 2047: In his 78th Independence Day speech, the Prime Minister outlined the vision of making India a hub for traditional medicine by 2047. The Prime Minister emphasised the role of Ayurveda and other traditional systems in transforming global healthcare and positioning India as the leader in holistic healthcare.


World Food India: The Ministry of Ayush showcased the significant role of Ayurveda and different traditional medicine systems of India in modern nutrition through the Ayush Pavilion at the World Food India 2024 event, organised at Pragati Maidan from 19th September to 22nd September 2024. The Ayush Ministry’s pavilion showcased Ayurveda Aahar, a concept that blends traditional wisdom with contemporary food solutions and attracted global attention. The event, graced by senior dignitaries and attended by stakeholders worldwide, emphasised India's rich tradition of Ayurveda-inspired food practices and their relevance to current global health challenges.


First Ayush Aushadhi Kendra: The first Ayush Aushadhi Kendra was inaugurated by Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush at AIIA New Delhi Campus on October 9th. The pharmacy aims to make quality Ayurvedic medicines accessible to all, enhancing healthcare delivery through Ayurveda.


9th Ayurveda Day: On the occasion of Dhanvantari Jayanti and the 9th Ayurveda Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched, inaugurated, and laid the foundation stone of multiple health sector projects worth around ₹12,850 crore at the All-India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi. Notably, the Prime Minister launched the nationwide campaign Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan, promoting health awareness and highlighting the importance of holistic well-being in daily life. Led by Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (I/C), Ministry of Ayush, with 4,70,000 dedicated volunteers, this campaign aims to revolutionise health awareness efforts among citizens and will also attempt multiple Guinness World Records


Ministry of Ayush Pavilion won Silver medal at IITF2024: The Ayush Pavilion at the 43rd India International Trade Fair (IITF) received widespread acclaim for its innovative approach to promoting health and wellness. Interactive exhibits, fun learning activities like the Ayurveda-inspired Snakes and Ladders game, and a drawing competition for kids captivated visitors. At the same time, live yoga demonstrations at the pavilion showcased the power of holistic health practices. These efforts not only won the hearts of the public but also earned a silver medal for the Ministry of Ayush at IITF 2024. The interactive exhibits and innovative projects, such as ‘Ayush Visa’ and ‘Ayush Aahar’ were well-received by visitors and international stakeholders.


Thus, 2024 has been a year of significant achievements, new collaborations, and global recognition for the Ayush sector. With a forward-looking agenda, the future looks set for India’s traditional medicine and wellness practices to continue to play a pivotal role in promoting health, sustainability, and global cooperation.




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