Ayurvedic institutes of GAU to be Institutions of National Importance

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday gave its approval to confer the status of Institution of National Importance (INI) to the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Jamnagar, by conglomerating the cluster of Ayurveda Institutes at Gujarat Ayurveda University (GAU) campus, Jamnagar.

These include Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Shri Gulabkunwerba Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, and Institute of Ayurveda Pharmaceutical Sciences including Pharmacy Unit. The Cabinet also approved to subsume the Maharshi Patanjali Institute for Yoga and Naturopathy Education and Research into the Department of Swasthvritta of the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, reads an official statement.

The Bill to that effect is to be introduced in the ensuing Session of Parliament to declare Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Jamnagar, as an Institution of National Importance.

Considering the rapidly growing role of AYUSH systems in addressing the public health challenges of India, conferring the status of National Importance will boost the role and importance of Ayurveda in public health. The strengthening of Ayurveda will reduce government expenditure on health as Ayurveda is cost-effective because of its preventive and curative approaches, added the statement.

"There is rising interest and demand for knowledge and services of Ayurveda all over the world. India is the country of origin of Ayurveda and the world is looking up to India to showcase state of art institutions providing international level education and training in Ayurveda. Elevation of the proposed Institute to the status of Institution of National Importance will provide it the autonomy to upgrade standard of Ayurveda education, frame various courses in Ayurveda as per national and international demand, adopt advanced evaluation methodology, etc.," adds the statement.

It will have the mandate to frame its own certification courses for deeper penetration of AYUSH across masses and will give the capacity to bring out the potential of Ayurveda for addressing the major public health challenges faced by the country. It will help the institute to develop tertiary care in Ayurveda and to secure inter-disciplinary collaborations to give a contemporary thrust to Ayurveda.

( With inputs from ANI )