President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday inaugurated the ‘National Arogya Fair 2026’ at Shegaon in Buldhana district, Maharashtra, highlighting Ayush systems as a holistic framework for wellness. She noted that these traditional systems provide not just treatment but a comprehensive lifestyle approach encompassing diet, daily and seasonal regimens, yoga, meditation, and natural therapies.
Addressing attendees, President Murmu said the world increasingly recognises that long-term wellness requires harmony between body and mind. “Preventive and holistic healthcare is essential for reducing disease burden and promoting long-term wellbeing,” she stated.
She emphasised that Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy have made significant contributions in preventive, promotive, and curative healthcare and continue to guide society toward balanced living. The President also highlighted India’s rich heritage of medicinal plants and traditional knowledge, urging conservation and scientific cultivation to support sustainable healthcare, boost farmers’ incomes, and protect the environment.
Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat described Ayurveda as a timeless scientific tradition established by ancient Indian Rishis, whom he identified as the earliest research scholars. He noted that the human body, composed of the five elements, can be optimally healed through alignment with nature and that preventive healthcare remains superior to curative approaches. Devvrat called on practitioners to maintain authenticity, ensure quality in medicines, and uphold faith in traditional disciplines, while recognising the Ministry of Ayush’s efforts to strengthen India’s traditional knowledge systems nationally and globally.
Ayush Minister Prataprao Jadhav said the Fair brings together policymakers, researchers, academicians, industry representatives, farmers, and practitioners on a single platform. He described the event not as a routine health camp but as a national initiative to reinforce India’s holistic healthcare traditions and connect them directly with the public.
The Fair is designed to showcase the practical applications of Ayush systems, encourage research and innovation, and create awareness about preventive healthcare strategies. By integrating lifestyle interventions, yoga, and traditional therapies, the event aims to promote long-term wellness and reduce reliance on curative treatments.
The inauguration highlighted the government’s focus on advancing Ayush systems as a vital component of India’s healthcare framework. It also underlined the importance of sustainable sourcing and cultivation of medicinal plants to strengthen the raw material base for traditional therapies.
Participants at the Fair will engage in workshops, policy discussions, and demonstrations to explore synergies between traditional knowledge and modern health practices. The initiative reflects a coordinated effort to preserve traditional healthcare knowledge while promoting its accessibility and scientific validation for contemporary society.
