By Aanchal / New Delhi : November 6, 2026
Emphasising the universal significance of Ayurveda, former Union Minister Dr Murli Manohar Joshi said that Ayurveda is deeply rooted in the entire universe, including celestial bodies, planets, stars, trees and medicinal plants. He was speaking as the Chief Guest at the Shri Dhanvantari Jayanti occation, organised at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi, under the aegis of the Akhil Bhartiya Ayurveda Mahasammelan and Indraprasthiya Vaidya Sabha.
The programme began with traditional Vedic rituals and prayers dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari, regarded as the divine source of Ayurveda and the science of healing.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Joshi said that Ayurveda offers a holistic approach to health by promoting purity of the mind, intellect, consciousness and body. He emphasised that the ancient Indian philosophy of “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah” (May all be happy, may all be free from illness) reflects India’s timeless vision of universal health and well-being.
He called upon the global community to recognise India’s traditional knowledge systems and said that the world should give greater importance to its own indigenous wisdom rather than looking exclusively towards Western models of healthcare. He also highlighted the continued popularity of Indian rituals, yajnas and traditional food practices in countries such as Mexico and Argentina.
Ayurveda and Yoga Witness Significant Growth After 2014: Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha
Special Guest Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, highlighted the growing global recognition of Ayurveda and Yoga. He said that their promotion and development had gained significant momentum since 2014.
He highlighted the role of the Ministry of Ayush, established on November 9, 2014, in strengthening research, innovation, education and healthcare delivery through traditional Indian systems of medicine.
He also spoke about the government’s efforts to expand the institutional infrastructure of Ayurveda, including the development of new All India Institute of Ayurveda facilities in three states, with the objective of making quality Ayurvedic healthcare accessible to a larger population.
Dhanvantari Jayanti Celebrated Across 30–40 Countries: Vaidya Devendra Triguna
Presiding over the occasion, Padma Bhushan awardee Vaidya Devendra Triguna said that Shri Dhanvantari Jayanti is celebrated with enthusiasm in approximately 30–40 countries, reflecting the growing international acceptance of Ayurveda.
He also highlighted the Government of India’s initiative to celebrate Ayurveda Day on September 23, bringing together practitioners, researchers and institutions to promote the ancient healthcare system.
Recalling the historical contribution of national leaders, he mentioned that former Prime Minister Morarji Desai had chaired a programme on mental health in 1978. He appreciated Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha for his dedicated service as Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush over the past several years, describing his contribution to the development of Ayurveda as commendable.
Senior Ayurveda Experts and Distinguished Guests Attend
Among the distinguished guests were Vaidya Manisha Kotekar, Chairperson of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine, and Rishi Sharma, Director of Baidyanath Ayurved Bhawan.
Vaidya Rajesh Sharma, President of Indraprasthiya Vaidya Sabha, presented an overview of the organisation’s activities and its contribution to the promotion of Ayurveda.
He highlighted the Sabha’s initiatives to recognise excellence in the field through awards such as the Senior Vaidya Samman, Pranacharya Samman, Yuva Vaidya Samman and Yuva Vaidya Pratibha Samman, accompanied by cash prizes to encourage outstanding contributions and emerging talent.
Several senior officials and experts from the Ministry of Ayush and other institutions were also present, including Vaidya Hemant Panigrahi, Director-in-Charge, CRIA; Vaidya Devashish Panda, Joint Advisor, Ministry of Ayush; Vaidya Vandana Siroha, Joint Director, NABH; Vaidya O.P. Vashishtha; Vaidya Tarachand Sharma; Vaidya Ashwini Kumar Sharma; Vaidya Achyut Kumar Tripathi; Vaidya Anup Kumar Jain and Vaidya Awadhesh Srivastava, Secretary of the Mahasammelan.
The gathering witnessed the participation of eminent Ayurveda practitioners, scholars and experts from India and abroad, reaffirming the importance of preserving, promoting and advancing India’s traditional healthcare heritage.
