Dr. D.C. Katoch, Advisor, Ayush, Government of India,
Dr. E.T Neelakandhan Mooss, Director, Vaidyaratnam Oushadhasala Private Ltd.,
Dr. Sajikumar, Chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry, Kerala,
Shri John Kuruvilla, Director & Head, CII Kerala,
Dear Delegates,
Friends in the Media,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmare,
Ellavarkkum Ente Namaskaram.
I am very happy to address the valedictory session of the second edition of the Global Ayurveda Summit organized by the Confederation of Indian industry on the theme, ‘Mainstreaming Ayurveda through Startups, Entrepreneurship and Branding.’
Let me at the outset, compliment the Confederation of Indian industry for organizing this conference to ensure a global market for Ayurveda by positioning it as a solution for global health challenges through appropriate branding and by encouraging start-up ventures based on it.
As we are aware, the history of indigenous Indian medical science is as old as the Indus Valley Civilization and that Ayurveda, which is known as the Science of life, is based on fundamental philosophies about life, disease and health. Scholars say it was composed as a branch of Atharva Veda, after the Aryan invasion. However, references to diseases, herbs and herbal cures have been found in the Rig Vedatoo.
Throughcenturies of practice and refinement, Ayurveda has grown to become renowned all across the world by responding positively to the changing outlook and demands for health care though medicinal products and health services.
Today, the Global Ayurveda Market, which accounted for 3.428 billion US Dollars in 2015 is expected to reach 9.791 billion US Dollars by 2022 growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.2 per cent. Therefore, the intention of this Global summit to help Ayurveda grow as a Rs. 50,000 crore industry by 2025 by promoting Ayurveda Industry through Startups is certainly laudable.
The National Health Policy of 2017, which has rightly considered the scope of Ayurveda, has given priority to main-stream the potential of Ayush. The policy ensures access to Ayush by locating indigenous medical facilities along with modern systems. It also recognizes the need to standardize and validate Ayurveda medicines and to establish an effective quality control mechanism for drugs.
Along with modernization, the National policy also suggests leveraging digital tools for generating and sharing information about Ayush systems. Thus, Indian medicinal systems such as Ayurveda are getting a policy boost in the country, which is likely to further the growth of the industry.
The Health Policy of Kerala also has very good proposals for the development of Ayurveda. Strengthening the existing Government Ayurveda Dispensaries by making them Primary Health Centers with modern facilities and the establishment of Ayurvedic wellness centers that incorporate Yoga in various institutions beginning with the IT sector, are some of the suggestions.
Here, I must mention that Kerala has already taken a lead role in modernization of Ayurveda. I am happy that the major Ayurveda firms in Kerlala have modern wings for research and development and quality control. This points to the keen interest in preserving tradition as well as in taking the science of healing to new levels of perfection. We have also gone ahead in Wellness Tourism. In fact, the Kerala model in Ayurvedic tourism is a great example of how traditional medicine, natural beauty and cultural assets of a location can be blended and marketed to the world. I understand that the Government of India could promote and replicate this model in other States like Himachal Pradesh and Jharkhand.
I am certain that the Indian wellness industry can also take advantage of our inherent strengths in Ayurveda, Yoga and meditation by showcasing them at the world renowned tourist attractions and heritage sites. We only need an innovative packaging that communicates the strength of our heritage through such initiatives which integrate tourism with Ayurvedic treatment.
I have been informed that the major attraction of the Global Ayurveda Summit will be the Ayurstart, which is first ever Ayurveda Startup Competition in India to attract young minds with out of the box ideas in the Ayurveda. Already, Kerala has set up one of the best Startup ecosystems in the country. I hope the organizers will encourage the youth who participate in this event through mentoring and incubation facilities, with the help of the Startup Mission.
I hope today's event would provide a platform for meaningful discussions for creating a workable policy regarding the use of Ayurveda for wellness tourism. I am happy that a report on the potential of Ayurveda and its opportunities will be brought out and that the Policy issues related to Regulations & Compliance will be thoroughly discussed. I also hope that due importance would be given to the skill up-gradation of the people who would work in Medical Wellness tourism in the coming days, because, much more than the infrastructure, it is the people's conduct that would decide the success of our efforts.
In conclusion, I would like to mention about a general reluctance in accepting indigenous systems of medicine, especiallyby those in modern medical research. To change this situation, we need more avenues for research in Ayurvedic and other native systems of medicine. Institutions imparting Ayurveda education should come forward to encourage research by attracting more professionals to advanced studies. I hope this Summit would also give a thought about sponsoring research projects in Ayurveda.
I greet all the delegates and young entrepreneurs attending this summit and wish them all the best. I sincerely hope that their efforts would help Ayurveda to develop as a Rs. 50,000 crore industry by 2025.
I compliment the organizers for conducting this function in a befitting manner.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
