The Indian Ayurvedic Medical College (IAMC) of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) commemorated the 9th National Ayurveda Day today, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Lord Dhanwantari, the Hindu God of Medicine. The event saw the participation of prominent figures including Chancellor Mahbubul Hoque, Vice Chancellor Prof GD Sharma, Dr. R K Sharma, Principal IAMC, Prof Dr BK Das, Principal PA Sangma International Medical College, and Dr RK Sharma, Advisor USTM.
The celebration commenced with an Ayurveda Walkathon Rally within the USTM campus, emphasizing the theme “Ayurveda Innovation for Global Health.” Students and staff with slogans and banners highlighted the theme of Ayurveda Day –“Ayurveda Innovation for Global Health”–and specially Preventive and Promotive measures of Ayurveda for appraisal of common people. Further emphasizing the theme, students organized an “AYUR AHARA MELA,” a traditional food recipe festival, showcasing various Ayurvedic food items.
The official program at the NKC Auditorium commenced with a lamp lighting ceremony and Dhanwantari Vandana by students. Dr. R K Sharma, Principal of IAMC, welcomed the audience before Prof. G D Sharma, Vice Chancellor of USTM, spoke about Ayurveda.
The event featured a key guest lecture by Dr. Dhanehwar Kalita, Former Principal of the Government Ayurvedic College Guwahati. Dr. Kalita, drawing on his extensive experience, emphasized the significance of innovation in healthcare and how Ayurveda can bolster the existing healthcare system, particularly in preventive health. He lauded the current year’s Ayurveda Day theme for highlighting Ayurveda’s contribution to global health.
The celebration also included a puja to Lord Dhanwantari, a tradition observed on the 13th day of the dark moon in the Hindu month of Kartik by Ayurvedic institutions, hospitals, and drug manufacturing units. IAMC marked the occasion with a puja, homa, and Prasad distribution, concluding the event with arati and banti prajwalan.