Port Blair, Oct. 20: Along with the rest of the country, various programmes including medical camps, POSHAN camps, awareness talks are being conducted by the Health Department in various parts of the Islands. Ministry of AYUSH celebrates Ayurveda Day every year on Dhanvantari Jayanti/Dhanteras. The Ministry celebrates it in collaboration with all the Ministries and Departments of Government of India with a campaign for six weeks so that every person of the nation is made aware of traditional system of medicine. The theme for the celebration is ‘Har Din Har Ghar Ayurveda’.
The main function of ‘7th National Ayurveda Day’ was organized at Community Hall, Chouldari village today by the AYUSH Wing of Directorate of Health Services and A & N State AYUSH Society. Shri Nikhil Kumar, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Health) graced the event as chief guest. Smti. Pramila Kumari, Adhyaksha, Zilla Parishad South Andaman was the guest of honor.
Addressing the gathering, the Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Health) highlighted the significance of the ancient Ayurvedic Health System which is very much embedded in the society and households of our country. He stressed on the preventive as well as curative aspects of ayurvedic therapies in public health. He further highlighted the efforts of Govt. of India through Ministry of AYUSH for the mainstreaming of AYUSH Systems and appealed the gathering to inculcate the principles of Ayurveda in their daily routine for healthy living.
In her address, the Adhayksha, ZP, S/Andaman praised the various initiative and programmes being taken up by the Health Department for the betterment of the health of people and also emphasized on the importance of Ayurvedic System.
Earlier, Shri Arjun Sharma, IAS, Secretary (Health) welcomed the gathering. A power point presentation on ‘Evolution of Ayurveda and Healthy Living through Ayurveda’ was presented by Dr. Rekha, Specialist Panchakarma. ‘Prakriti Parikshan’ (assessment of body constitution) and persons specific advice on diet and lifestyle was given to the general public by the Ayurveda Doctors. The immunity booster AYUSH Kada was also distributed among the gathering consisting of Govt. Officials, IRBn Jawans, students and local residents.
An exhibition on ayurvedic medicinal plants, dry herbs, panchakarma procedures and healthy food recipes was inaugurated by the chief guest. ANMs, ASHAs and Anganwadi workers of nearby villages participated in the recipe competition and the selected recipes were awarded with cash prizes along with certificates by the chief guest.
A play on the significance of Healthy Lifestyle by families was performed by the Health staff of PHC Chouldari. The event concluded with vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Anil Agarwal, Mission Director (NHM & NAM). Dr. Munni Singhania, DHS, Dr. Kalyan P. Kadbhane, DD (AYUSH), Smti. Tapasi, Pradhan, Gram Panchayat, Smti. Chaitali, Member, Panchayat Samiti, Chouldari village and Dr. Supriya Roy, PHC Chouldari were also present along with many other officials of the area.