9th Ayurveda Day 2024 observed across 150 countries in the world

The 9th Ayurveda Day 2024 is being observed in the country and over 150 countries worldwide. The Ayurveda Diwas is observed on the Dhanvantari Jayanti or Dhanteras. This year, the Dhanteras, or Ayurveda Day, is being observed on 29 October 2024. 

On the occasion of the 9th Ayurveda Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in New Delhi, virtually laid the foundation stone for multiple projects related to the health sector across the country. The total worth of the projects is estimated at around 12,850 crore rupees.

Background to the Ayurveda Day 

In 2016, the Narendra Modi government decided to observe Dhanvantari Jayanti or Dhanteras as Ayurveda Day. According to Hindu mythology, Dhanvantari is considered to be the physician of God. The traditional Indian system of medicine Ayurveda is attributed to Dhanvantari, who received this knowledge from Lord Brahma.

Ayurveda, which in Sanskrit means ‘Knowledge of Life,’ focuses on achieving balance in the body, mind, and spirit to promote holistic well-being.

In 2016, the government decided to observe Ayurveda Day to raise awareness about Ayurvedic principles, medicinal herbs, and lifestyle practices.

Theme of the 9th Ayurveda Day 2024

Every year, the Union Ministry of Ayush chooses a theme to highlight a particular issue. The theme for the  9th Ayurveda Day is “Ayurveda Innovations for Global Health”.

The theme has been chosen to emphasise fostering innovation in Ayurveda to address global health issues.

Prime Minister Modi Inaugurates Various Projects 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated multiple health-related projects on the occasion of the 9th Ayurveda Day 2024. The following are the projects inaugurated/foundation stones laid. The Prime Minister launched all the projects virtually in New Delhi.

Phase II of the All India Institute of Ayurveda Inaugurated, which includes a dedicated Panchakarma hospital, an Ayurvedic pharmacy, a sports medicine unit, a central library, an IT and start-ups incubation centre and a 500-seat auditorium.

Four Ayush Centres of Excellence inaugurated 

• Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru- Centre of Excellence for diabetes and metabolic disorders;
• IIT Delhi- Centre of Excellence in sustainable Ayush for advanced technological solutions, start-up support and net zero sustainable solutions for Rasaushadhies; 
• Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow- Centre of Excellence for fundamental and translational research in Ayurveda; and 
• Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi - Centre of Excellence on Ayurveda and Systems Medicine.

Prime Minister Modi also laid the foundation stone for two Central Research Institutes in Yoga and Naturopathy to be established in Khordha, Odisha, and Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 

He also laid the foundation stones for five nursing colleges in Madhya Pradesh: Shivpuri, Khandwa, Mandsaur, Ratlam and Rajgarh.

He inaugurated three medical colleges in Madhya Pradesh: Seoni, Mandsaur and Neemuch.