Rajkot: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Ayurveda played a key role in helping the country tackle the coronavirus pandemic and this ancient knowledge has gained immense acceptance worldwide, which is evident from the surge in exports of several spices like turmeric.
Speaking after dedication of two future-ready Ayurveda institutions in Jaipur and Jamnagar to the nation via video conferencing on the occasion of the 5th Ayurveda Day, Modi said that exports of Ayurvedic products increased by about 45% in September this year compared to the previous year.
“The significant increase in export of spices like turmeric, ginger, considered as immunity boosters, shows the sudden boost in confidence in Ayurvedic solutions and Indian spices in the world. In many countries, the use of turmeric drinks is also increasing and the world's prestigious medical journals are also seeing new hope in Ayurveda,” the PM said.
The two institutes unveiled at the event include Ayurveda Institute of Teaching & Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) in Jamnagar and the National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA) in Jaipur.
He said that the prices of herbs like ashwagandha, giloy and tulsi have increased amid the pandemic, which has ultimately helped the growers. “The price of Ashwagandha has more than doubled compared to last year and farmers are reaping the benefits,” he said.
He also called upon startups and the private firms to analyze global trends and demands and ensure their participation in the sector.
Modi said that during the coronavirus period, the focus was not only limited to the use of Ayurveda alone but also on research related to AYUSH in the country and the world.
"On one hand, India is testing vaccines, on the other, it is also increasing international cooperation on Ayurvedic research to fight Covid-19," he said.
Stressing on bringing ayurveda knowledge out of books, scriptures and home remedies and developing this ancient knowledge as per modern needs, Modi said new research is being done in the country by combining information received from modern science of the 21st century with India's ancient medical knowledge.
Modi also said that the two institutes now have an increased responsibility to prepare syllabus for Ayurveda which meets international standards.
He also suggested that the education ministry and UGC exploure new avenues in disciplines like Ayurveda ohysics and Ayurveda chemistry.
Modi also mentioned about research going on in more than a 100 places including at the All India Institute of Ayurveda in Delhi which has conducted research related to immunity on 80,000 Delhi Police personnel. It could well be the world's largest group study and the results are encouraging results, he said.