BRICS workshop in Bengaluru to showcase global Ayush on 10-11 Sept

The ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), is organising a two-day `BRICS Wellness Workshop' at Bengaluru on 10-11 September 2016.

Simultaneously, the ministry of Ayush is also organising a four-day Arogya Fair, a comprehensive health and wellness fair showcasing strengths of traditional systems/wellness sector in India as well as other BRICS partner countries during 10-13 September 2016.

Secretary level officials and traditional medicine / wellness experts from BRICS countries will participate in the BRICS Wellness Workshop.

Briefing media persons in New Delhi on the significance of the BRICS Wellness Workshop, secretary, ministry of Ayush, Ajit M Sharan, said traditional medicine has assumed an important role in contemporary community health care due to its health promotive, disease preventive, curative, rehabilitative and rejuvenation properties.

The workshop is being organised to promote partnerships with BRICS nations, including knowledge sharing and pushing forward Ayush initiatives in these countries, which will further help in globalisation of Ayush, he said.

In fact, Sharan said, several countries, including those in the BRICS grouping, have already taken steps to promote traditional systems of medicine.

He said China has taken to Yoga in a big way and has set up college of Yoga, while ayurveda is gaining popularity in Russia.

The workshop, being organised in Bangaluru, will have sessions related to traditional systems of medicine, trade and economy, wellness and sustainable development goals (SDGs), wellness indicators for BRICS and wellness and tourism among others. It will also include a session on WHO strategy for traditional medicine.

The Arogya Fair, to be organised simultaneously at Palace Grounds, Bengaluru, will provide a good exposure for manufacturers / importers of traditional medicines/raw materials of the BRICS countries to have firsthand experience of Indian traditional medicinal products / manufacturing facilities. At the same time they will have the opportunity to showcase their products and services.

Prior to the two-day workshop, site visits to traditional medicine institute/facilities for the delegates from the BRICS countries will be organised to provide onsite exposure to the delegates.

Yoga workshops and Ayurveda consultations with experts will also be organised for interested delegates from 9-12 September 2016.