AIIA Celebrates 6th Foundation Day: A Milestone in Advancing Ayurveda and Holistic Healthcare

The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) marked its sixth foundation day on October 20, 2023, with a celebration that paid tribute to the legacy of Padma Vibhushan Vaidya Bṛihaspati Dev Triguna, a luminary in the realm of Ayurveda.

The highlight of this momentous occasion was the unveiling of a statue in his honour at the newly christened ‘Vaidya Bṛihaspati Dev Triguna Auditorium.’ The esteemed Union Minister of Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal, had the honor of inaugurating this monument.

Vaidya Bṛihaspati Dev Triguna's life and work were dedicated to the practice and promotion of Ayurveda, earning him the prestigious Padma Vibhushan award, one of the highest civilian honors in India. His contributions to Ayurveda continue to inspire the entire field.

During the event, Sarbananda Sonowal addressed the audience, emphasizing India's potential for global leadership in holistic healthcare. He pointed out that global investors are keen to invest in the Ayush sector, and it's essential for India to seize this opportunity. The Minister also shared that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has allocated 12 acres of land to facilitate the expansion of the All India Institute of Ayurveda, further supporting its mission of providing holistic healthcare services.

In a significant step forward, six Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between AIIA and renowned institutions such as Hindustan Salt, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the Heartfulness Institute. These collaborations will contribute to the establishment of a new molecular biology lab for advanced research, a Manuscript Unit, and a Center of Excellence called Dakshya. These endeavors are expected to pave the way for significant advancements in Ayurvedic research.

Minister of State for Ayush Munjapara Mahendrabhai Kalubhai commended the All India Institute of Ayurveda's evolution over the past six years. He noted that it has become a symbol of excellence, innovation, and a bridge between India's traditional healing practices and modern healthcare demands. In keeping with this commitment, the institute has introduced new facilities, including a Molecular Biology laboratory and skill labs.

Director of AIIA, Professor Tanuja Nesari, expressed her pride in the institute's journey so far. She emphasized that celebrating the sixth-year foundation day signifies their dedication to preserving and promoting the traditional science of healing while embracing modern research and innovations. Established on October 17, 2017, AIIA's mission is to promote and advance the knowledge and practice of Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of medicine. Over the past six years, it has emerged as a leading institution for Ayurvedic education and research, not only in India but also on a global scale.

On this occasion, Hon'ble Minister Sarbananda Sonowal presented the A++ certificate of NAAC to Director Professor (Dr) Tanuja Nesari. AIIA also signed six MoUs with prestigious institutions such as Hindustan Salts Ltd, the National Institute of Health & Family Welfare, and others. Various technical documents, including a COVID diary, were released during this momentous occasion.

The President of the Heartfulness Institute, affectionately known as Daaji, delivered a virtual keynote address, highlighting the significance of meditation in the realm of Ayurveda. He expressed a desire to establish a center of Ayurveda in collaboration with AIIA at Kanha Shantivanam, Hyderabad. The signing of MoUs with six institutions, a renewed focus on systematic evidence generation, and the recognition of senior teachers were among the other highlights of the event.