Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Yoga is an integral part of traditional medicine systems and has guided the world towards a life of health, balance, and harmony. He was addressing the closing ceremony of the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in the national capital.
The Prime Minister said that while traditional medicine addresses present-day health needs, there is also a collective responsibility to prepare for future health challenges. He noted that over the past three days, experts from across the world held meaningful discussions at the summit, with India providing a strong platform in partnership with the World Health Organisation.
Calling it a matter of pride for the country, PM Modi said the establishment of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar reflects the global trust placed in India’s leadership in this field. He said the success of the summit holds importance from a global perspective and marks a convergence of traditional knowledge and modern practices.
Highlighting the global reach of Yoga, the Prime Minister recalled that through India’s efforts and the support of more than 175 countries, the United Nations declared June 21 as International Yoga Day. He commended individuals who have contributed significantly to the promotion and development of Yoga worldwide.
PM Modi reiterated the government’s focus on mainstreaming traditional medicine and the Indian Knowledge System through research, standardisation, and global collaboration. During the programme, he launched several Ayush initiatives, including the My Ayush Integrated Services Portal, a unified digital platform for the Ayush sector, and unveiled the Ayush Mark, envisioned as a global benchmark for quality assurance of Ayush products and services.
The Prime Minister also released the WHO technical report on training in Yoga and the book “From Roots to Global Reach: 11 Years of Transformation in Ayush.” A commemorative postal stamp on Ashwagandha was released, symbolising the growing global recognition of India’s traditional medicinal heritage.
He inaugurated the new WHO South-East Asia Regional Office complex in Delhi, which will also house the WHO India Country Office, marking a significant milestone in India’s partnership with the World Health Organisation.
PM Modi felicitated the recipients of the Prime Minister’s Awards for Outstanding Contribution to the Promotion and Development of Yoga for the years 2021 to 2025, recognising their sustained dedication to Yoga and its global promotion. The awards reaffirm Yoga as a timeless practice for balance, well-being, and harmony.
The Prime Minister also visited the Traditional Medicine Discovery Space, an exhibition showcasing the diversity, depth, and contemporary relevance of traditional medicine knowledge systems from India and across the world.
The Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine was jointly organised by the World Health Organisation and the Ministry of Ayush from December 17 to 19 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, under the theme ‘Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-being’. The summit witnessed extensive deliberations among global leaders, policymakers, scientists, practitioners, Indigenous knowledge holders, and civil society representatives on advancing equitable, sustainable, and evidence-driven health systems.
-ANI
