10th World Ayurveda Congress and Arogya Expo

• 13 Dec 2024

Why in News? 

Recently, the 10^th World Ayurveda Congress (WAC 2024) and Arogya Expo were inaugurated in Dehradun. It's a pivotal juncture where various streams of ideologies, cultures, and innovations converge. 

 Key Points 

• Launch of "Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan": 
  • On the occasion of the 9^th Ayurveda Day (29 October 2024), the Union Ayush Minister launched the nationwide campaign "Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan". 
  • The objective is to assess the Prakriti of over 1 crore individuals using Ayurveda principles. 
    • Citizens are encouraged to actively participate and contribute to this monumental initiative. 
• Ayush Grid and Global Investment: 
  • The Ayush Grid is a project by the Ministry of Ayush to digitize the Ayush sector and promote traditional healthcare systems. 
  • Its benefits include revolutionizing healthcare with innovations, enhancing effectiveness, safety, and affordability. 
  • Over 1.3 billion dollars of investment is in the pipeline from global partners to support Ayurveda-related initiatives. 
• WAC 2024: 
  • Organised by the World Ayurveda Foundation (WAF), an initiative of Vijnana Bharati. 
  • More than 5500 Indian delegates and over 350 delegates from 54 countries registered for the event. 
  • The event features over 150 scientific sessions and 13 associate events, including plenary discussions. 
  • The theme is  "Digital Health: An Ayurveda Perspective" which focuses on leveraging modern technologies to advance Ayurveda. 
  • Deliberations on: 
    • Enhancing healthcare delivery through digital tools. 
    • Redefining research methodologies. 
    • Integrating Ayurveda into the global health landscape. 
• Role of the Ministry of Ayush: 
  • The Ministry of Ayush is instrumental in organising the World Ayurveda Congress, showcasing India's commitment to promoting Ayurveda globally. 
  • Contributions: 
    • Advancing Ayurveda knowledge, research, and practices through international collaborations. 
    • Engaging experts, practitioners, and policymakers to discuss Ayurveda’s global relevance and future growth. 
• Significance of WAC 2024: 
  • Celebrates Ayurveda's rich heritage and envisions its future in the global healthcare system. 
  • Bridges traditional wisdom with modern technology, ensuring Ayurveda thrives as a sustainable and holistic healthcare system. 
  • The WAC 2024 is a milestone event in positioning Ayurveda as a transformative force in global healthcare. 

 The World Ayurveda Foundation (WAF) 

• It is an organization that promotes Ayurveda globally and supports research, health programs, and other activities related to Ayurveda. 
• It is an initiative of Vijnana Bharati that was founded in 2011. The WAF's objectives include:  
  • Supporting research  
  • Supporting health programs through camps, clinics, and sanatoriums  
  • Organizing seminars, exhibitions, and study groups  
  • Providing leadership in policy and planning for Ayurveda 
• The WAF organizes the World Ayurveda Congress (WAC), which is an event that features scientific sessions, health ministers' conclaves, and other activities.  
  • The WAC aims to discuss how Ayurveda can address various health challenges.