NMPB Hosts 'Ashwagandha-A Health Promoter' Workshop to Promote Traditional Medicine

Under the initiative ‘Ashwagandha-A Health Promoter’ of National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of Ayush, Govt. of India organized a One-day Workshop cum Launch of Awareness Campaign on 5th March 2024 at the NDMC Convention Centre, New Delhi. Dr. Mahesh Kumar Dadhich, Chief Executive Officer, NMPB, Ministry of Ayush stated during his address that there are 31 granted projects related to Ashwagandha and NMPB, Ministry of Ayush is committed towards more such campaigns in future also for the herbs of importance.

Speaking on the occasion, Danish Ashraf, Special Secretary (Ayush), Govt. of NCT of Delhi lauded the efforts of NMPB, Ministry of Ayush in popularising the traditional systems. He emphasized the significance of the campaign and workshop in promoting traditional medicine, particularly Ayurveda and Unani, and underscored the government's commitment to integrating alternative healthcare systems. Prof. Dr. Tanuja Nesari, Director, All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) briefed the attendees about the work done by All India Institute of Ayurveda in the field. She enlightened participants by sharing the success story of KSM-Ashwagandha, a unicorn selling Ashwagandha extract.

On behalf of the Directorate of Ayush, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Principal Investigator of the Project Dr. Raj K Manchanda emphasized the transformative impact of the campaign on promoting the utilization of Ayush systems of medicine and disseminating knowledge about the health benefits of Ashwagandha.

Dr. Yogita Munjal, Deputy Director (ISM), Directorate of Ayush, GNCTD, highlighted the important events going to be organized under the campaign, including IEC activities, the distribution of 2 lakhs Ashwagandha saplings in Delhi and various competitions for students. A farmer’s meet will also be held under the Campaign in Ch. Brahm Prakash Ayurved Charak Sansthan, Khera Dabar to sensitize farmers about the Agro-techniques related to the cultivation of Ashwagandha plants.

Key Highlights of the Workshop

The workshop featured distinguished keynote speakers of international repute including Dr. Mayaram Uniyal, Former Director General of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Prof. Dr. Tanuja Nesari, Director of the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, Dr. Raman Mohan Singh, Director, PCIM & H, Prof. Sayeed Ahmad, Director, Centre of Excellence (Unani) Jamia Hamdard and Prof. Alpana Sharma from the Department of Biochemistry at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.

The event witnessed the participation of approximately 300 attendees, comprising Medical Officers, Academicians, Researchers, Students, Representatives from the pharmaceutical industry, and other stakeholders.

On behalf of the Directorate of Ayush, Dr. Yogita Munjal extended gratitude to all participants, partners, and stakeholders for their invaluable contributions towards the success of the event and urged all for continued collaboration in spreading awareness about the health-promoting properties of medicinal plants and Indian systems of Medicine.