4-day National Arogya Fair-2016 begins in Dehradun

The four-day National Arogya Fair began at Dehradun in Uttarakhand today. The Fair has been organized by the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa & Homoeopathy (AYUSH) in collaboration with the State government of Uttarakhand and the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).

The Fair was inaugurated by the Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge) and Health & Family Welfare, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik and Chief Minister of Uttarakhand , Shri Harish Rawat. The Minister for Health & Family Welfare and AYUSH, Govt. of Uttarakhand, Shri Surendra Singh Negi was also present on the occasion.

Addressing the inaugural session, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik said that India can bring in a revolution in healthcare and be a teacher to the world if we capitalize on our strengths in the traditional systems of medicine. He elaborated that the AROGYA fair has grown into a country-wide phenomenon with more than 10 fairs organized throughout the year now.

The Minister explained that over the past three decades, there has been a tremendous resurgence of World’s interest in the AYUSH Systems of Medicine, including countries in Europe and USA. This is mainly because of holistic approach towards preventive, promotive and positive health and multi-dimensional aspects of disease management in these traditional systems of medicine. We have also signed several MoUs for bilateral cooperation in the area of traditional medicine and setting up Ayurveda chairs and AYUSH information centres in various countries, such as South Africa, Malaysia and Trinidad & Tobago, the Minister disclosed.

Shri Harish Rawat said that the Uttarakhand medicinal plants have long been used for treatment of various diseases. These combined with modern AYUSH interventions can help to create a strong healthcare system in the hills. The AYUSH System of medicine is also more economical, the Chief Minister added.

Shri Surendra Singh Negi explained that growing herbs and medicinal plants can create employment opportunities in the hills, especially when it is linked with industry requirements in an integrated manner. Uttarakhand also has the capacity to become the world capital of Yoga, he added.

During the Inaugural Session, Fusion Yoga was performed by the students of Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga.Large varieties of health productsfor treating diabetes, blood pressure, joint pains, heart diseases, geriatric problems and common ailments are on display at the Fair.

Free Learning Sessions are being organized for visitorswith themes like Panchakarma, Homeopathy forWomen’s disorders, ‘Yog se Arogya’ and Management of Non-Communicable Diseases in Siddha System, treatment of lifestyle diseases like diabetes through AYUSH, and many more.Tomorrow’s session would focus on role of Dincharya and Pathyapathya for maintenance, Siddha Medicine – basic principles, Stress and Homoeopathy etc.

The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa & Homoeopathy (AYUSH) has been organizing AROGYA, comprehensive National Level Fair on AYUSH systems of medicine in the major capital cities in India since 2005 to promote awareness and showcase development in the various AYUSH Systems.

The Fair aims to create awareness among the people about the uses of the AYUSH Systems, their cost-effectiveness and the availability of herbs and plants used for prevention and treatment of common ailments at their door-steps through various mass-media channels to achieve the objective of Health for all.