Puri: President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday emphasized the need for extensive research in Ayurveda, highlighting its potential to address numerous medical conditions during the 75th anniversary celebrations of Gopabandhu Ayurveda College in Puri.
"Practising yoga will lead to a disease-free life," Murmu said, while noting the growing global interest in Ayurveda and yoga research, particularly highlighting the untapped potential of ancient palm leaf manuscripts preserved in museums.
The anniversary celebration marked a significant milestone for the institution, which has been a cornerstone of Ayurvedic education since its establishment in 1949. Chief minister Mohan Majhi announced plans to elevate the college to an institution of excellence, emphasizing Ayurveda's 5,000-year heritage in Indian culture.
In a significant development, the college principal submitted a proposal to rename Puri VIP Road as "Dhanwantari Road", which received conditional support from the president, pending local legislative backing.
The CM outlined the state's healthcare initiatives, announcing two new 250-bed Ayush hospitals in Dhenkanal and Ganjam districts. Currently, Odisha maintains three govt Ayurveda colleges, one private institution, 520 clinics and five hospitals dedicated to Ayurvedic medicine.
The event highlighted India's commitment to traditional medicine, with references to the establishment of the ministry of Ayush in 2014 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration. The celebration was attended by Governor Raghubar Das and other dignitaries.
The president's address emphasized the importance of evidence-based research in building public trust and acceptance of traditional medicine, marking a new chapter in the integration of ancient wisdom with modern healthcare practices.