The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, today called for greater scientific research into Ayurveda to establish the efficacy of traditional healthcare practices, strengthen patient confidence and enhance the global acceptance of India’s traditional systems of medicine. He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the third edition of the international conference on Kaumarabhritya, KAUMARACON-2026, organised by the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi.

Referring to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of developing the All India Institute of Ayurveda on a par with AIIMS, the Vice-President said the Institute was moving towards realising this vision. Congratulating AIIA on its 10th Foundation Day, he emphasised the importance of sustained efforts in research, innovation and academic excellence to further strengthen the Institute’s standing.

The Vice-President noted that India’s traditional systems of medicine represent a valuable legacy rooted in its civilisational wisdom and centuries-old knowledge traditions. He highlighted the establishment of a separate Ministry of AYUSH in 2014 and its efforts to strengthen education, expand healthcare services and promote scientific research. He also referred to interdisciplinary collaborations between the Ministry of AYUSH and institutions such as ICMR, CSIR, DBT, DST and AIIMS.

Referring to the integration of AYUSH services in premier medical institutions, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan said such initiatives create opportunities for dialogue and collaboration between traditional systems of medicine and modern healthcare. He also highlighted the international recognition of Yoga and the establishment of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar as important milestones in sharing India’s traditional knowledge with the world.

Highlighting the importance of child healthcare, the Vice-President said the conference theme, “Shaping the Future of Child Health: Global Perspectives, Research Innovations, and Clinical Frontiers in Kaumarabhritya,” reflected the shared responsibility to ensure that every child grows in a healthy and nurturing environment. He stressed that children require particular attention to nutrition, growth, development, disease prevention and emotional well-being.

The Vice-President said that building a Viksit Bharat by 2047 also requires sustained attention to children’s health and the quality of human capital. He called upon researchers and practitioners to preserve traditional wisdom, strengthen it through scientific validation and place child health at the centre of their efforts.

During the event, the Vice-President inaugurated the AYUSH Start-up Portal, the AIIA–iCAINE website and the Ayurveda Digital Innovation and Venture Acceleration Facility (AyuDIVA). He also launched the Vamana App and the Panchakarma Assessment App. An international Memorandum of Understanding between Maharishi International University (MIU), USA, and AIIA, New Delhi, was also exchanged in his presence.

Earlier, the Vice-President visited the hospital facilities of AIIA and Dhanwantari Vatika, where he was briefed on the Institute’s contributions to public health and the Ayurvedic significance of various medicinal plants, herbs and rocks displayed at the Vatika.

The event was attended by Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State for AYUSH and Health and Family Welfare; Shri Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH; Dr. Maneesha Upendra, Chairperson, National Commission for Indian System of Medicine; Professor P. K. Prajapati, Director, AIIA, New Delhi, and other dignitaries, researchers, faculty members and students.

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PR/ASM/VMJ