Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Global Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit in Gandhinagar on the third day of his visit to his home turf Gujarat. He also addressed the event.

Along with PM Modi, the World Health Organization's Director-General Dr Tredos Ghebreyesus and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth were also present during the program. 

PM Modi highlighted that “it's the first time an investment summit is being held for the AYUSH sector. I thought of this at the time COVID19 outbreak. During this time 'AYUSH Kada' and other similar products have helped people boost their immunity.”

Talking about how India is becoming an investment hub, he said that it has just been four months in the year 2022 and already 14 startups have joined the unicorn club. He also said that he is confident that unicorns will soon emerge from AYUSH start-ups. “We are already witnessing an unprecedented boom in the production of AYUSH medicines, supplements and cosmetics,” added the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister further said, "It is very important that the farmers involved in growing medicinal plants should get the facility to easily connect with the market. For this, the government is also working on modernisation and expansion of AYUSH e-marketplace."

Speaking about how the AYUSH products have helped patients not only in India but across the world, the Prime Minister informed that the government is now going to make a special AYUSH mark. “We are going to make a special AYUSH hallmark. This hallmark will be applied to the highest quality Ayush products made in India,” he added.

PM Modi also said that traditional medicine has been helping foreigners as well, hence, for better access to the facilities in India, soon, the government is going to introduce a special AYUSH visa category for foreign nationals who want to come to India to take advantage of AYUSH therapy.

The Prime Minister also talked about the WHO director-general's experience in India and in Gujarat. He said that Dr Tedros wanted a Gujarati name as he feels like a Gujrati now. Hence, as a gesture of love and respect from India, PM Modi gave him the Gujarati name "Tulsi Bhai".

Dr Tedros also spoke during the event and said, "Areas of focus--long term strategic investments and government commitment needed to support innovation, innovators and government to develop traditional medicine in a sustainable way, when bringing traditional medicine to market must make sure communities that gave this knowledge also benefit."

Mauritius PM Pravind Jugnauth also spoke on the occasion and said, "India is pharmacy of world. We're grateful to India for sending Ayurvedic medicines during Covid pandemic. In Mauritius, practice of AYUSH is popular we have embraced the notion that traditional medicines compliment modern medicines."

Speaking on the occasion, Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel lauded PM Modi’s efforts in Yoga and traditional medicine. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts have made a place in the world for Yoga and for now traditional medicine. People across the world are now moving towards traditional medicine. It’s time to now move toward preventive medicine.”

The PMO said that the event aimed to increase investments and showcase innovations in the field of traditional medicine. “It is a unique attempt to foster long-lasting partnerships, boost exports and nurture a sustainable ecosystem”

Image source: ANI