On the occasion of National Ayurveda Diwas, the Department of Ayush, Himachal Pradesh, organized a one-day symposium titled “Ayur Manthan – Ayush in Himachal: A Roadmap for Sustainable Growth” at Hotel Holiday Home, Shimla. The event was attended by over 100 delegates, including senior government officers, subject experts, industry leaders, representatives from Ayush institutions, local entrepreneurs, and community stakeholders.
The symposium was chaired by Ayush Ministe Yadvinder Goma, who delivered the keynote address. He outlined the government’s vision to strengthen Ayush services not only as a healthcare system but also as a catalyst for employment generation, wellness tourism, and sustainable economic growth in Himachal Pradesh.
At the start, Secretary (Ayush) Shainamol A., IAS, and Director (Ayush) Rohit Jamwal, IAS, shared their insights on the department’s future direction. They emphasized the need for collaboration with allied departments, greater transparency through digital platforms, and positioning Himachal Pradesh as a center of traditional healthcare and wellness.
This year’s national theme, “Ayurveda for People and Planet,” guided the day’s discussions. Experts highlighted how the state’s rich Himalayan biodiversity and traditional knowledge could be responsibly utilized to benefit both human health and environmental sustainability.
Key topics included the sustainable harnessing of Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) for the Ayush drug industry. Strategies were discussed for collaboration with the Forest Department, ensuring fair prices for collectors, and promoting large-scale cultivation to ease pressure on wild medicinal plants. Presentations by Dr. Arun Chandan (Regional Director, RCFC-NR-1, RIISM Jogindernagar), Forest Officer Rajneesh Mahajan, Sh. Ujjwaldeep (In-charge, RIISM Jogindernagar), and Dr. Sanjiv Kumar Ranote (In-charge, Charak Pharmacy, Paprola) focused on sustainable cultivation, regulatory frameworks, herbal garden management, and revitalizing government Ayush pharmacies.
Three progressive farmer- Kripal Singh from Rohru, Ram Gopal Thakur from Jubbar, and Anita Nalwa from Lahaul Spiti—shared their experiences and challenges in medicinal plant cultivation and herbal entrepreneurship.
The symposium resolved to strengthen government-run Ayush pharmacies by transforming them into competitive, trusted brands through standardization, quality improvement, supply chain streamlining, and professionalization under society mode.
Deliberations on wellness tourism emphasized Himachal Pradesh’s potential as a global wellness destination by integrating authentic Panchakarma and Yoga therapies with the state’s natural beauty. Dr. Vijay Chaudhary (Principal, Ayurvedic College) discussed policy gaps, while Dr. Ashutosh Sharma Guleri (CMO, VMRT Kayakalp, Palampur) shared industry perspectives. Case studies by Rishi Raj Garg (Vaidyaratnam Vrindavan Ayurveda Chikitsalayam) and Prem Raina (Hotel Hot Spring Resort, Tattapani) illustrated successful models.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Goma stated that Ayush is more than a healthcare system—it is a medium for social change. He said, “Ayush must extend beyond health to become a source of livelihood, self-reliance, and entrepreneurship for farmers, youth, and women.” He announced the expansion of the Panchakarma Therapist Course from two to ten Ayurvedic hospitals, aiming to train 170 therapists annually to meet the wellness industry’s growing demand. He also directed the institution of an award scheme recognizing outstanding Ayush health institutions.
The Minister launched AYUSH Sankalan, a digital health management information system designed to monitor drug inventory, maintain patient records, and facilitate online attendance for departmental staff. This system will generate real-time institutional reports to improve transparency and governance.
Additionally, the logo for Government Ayurvedic Pharmacies was unveiled, with medicines from these pharmacies to be marketed under the brand name “Himoshdham.”
The symposium concluded with the decision to develop a Strategic Roadmap featuring SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) goals for the Ayush Department. A Working Group will be formed to oversee the implementation of the recommendations.
The event reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to positioning Himachal Pradesh as a leader in holistic healthcare and wellness tourism, while promoting environmental conservation and economic empowerment.
