Haridwar, Uttarakhand:
In a visionary move to establish Uttarakhand as a leading ‘AYUSH Pradesh’, the state government under Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami has intensified efforts to elevate Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) as pillars of holistic healthcare and education. Marking a decisive step in this direction, the newly appointed Secretary of AYUSH and AYUSH Education, Shri Deependra Chaudhary (IAS), conducted a comprehensive inspection of the historic Rishikul and Gurukul campuses of Uttarakhand Ayurved University in Haridwar.
The Rishikul campus, founded in 1919 by Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya, and the Gurukul campus, established in 1921 by Swami Shraddhanand, have long stood as cornerstones of Ayurvedic education in India. Secretary Chaudhary emphasized their transformation into world-class institutions, instructing the preparation of a strategic action plan for holistic upgradation. Accompanied by University Registrar Shri Ramji Sharan Sharma, the Secretary assessed long-standing infrastructural and administrative challenges, assuring swift and effective resolutions.
Engaging directly with faculty and staff, the Secretary addressed pressing concerns including delayed salaries, pending promotions, and arrears. He assured the workforce that these issues would be resolved with urgency, reinforcing the government’s commitment to institutional welfare and transparency.
The inspection emphasized adherence to the norms laid down by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM). Key directives were issued to upgrade staffing, infrastructure, hygiene, medicine supply, laboratory capabilities, and administrative efficiency. Secretary Chaudhary also underscored the importance of maintaining discipline, sanitation, and implementing a transparent system for admissions and examinations.
Recognizing the immense potential of the Panchakarma department, the Secretary outlined an ambitious vision to position Uttarakhand as a global wellness tourism hub—on par with Kerala. He announced plans to bolster pharmaceutical startups, modernize herbal medicine industries, and enhance pharmacy laboratories with cutting-edge technologies.
To integrate AYUSH into everyday lives, Secretary Chaudhary stressed the launch of widespread outreach initiatives including school awareness campaigns, yoga camps, and dedicated health camps for women and senior citizens. The aim is to democratize access to traditional healthcare across urban and rural populations.
A detailed roadmap was also presented to realize the Government of India’s five-point AYUSH agenda—quality education, robust research, effective drug development, conservation of medicinal plants, and public awareness. Secretary Chaudhary reaffirmed the department’s dedication to embedding these goals at the grassroots level, transforming every village into a node of wellness and awareness.
With this strategic push, Uttarakhand is not only honoring its rich Ayurvedic heritage but also carving a bold new path as a global center of integrative health and traditional medicine.
Myself Dr Navin Joshi . I am an Ayurvedic Physician,Medical content writer,Bloggar
