Celebration of 9th Ayurveda Day in Melbourne

The 9th Ayurveda Day in Melbourne was celebrated with great enthusiasm at the Melbourne Multicultural Hub. This event was organised by Dr. Kusum Lata, Treasurer of the Australasian Association of Ayurveda Inc. (AAA), in collaboration with the Consulate General of India Melbourne, All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) New Delhi, Ayurveda Chair at NICM, Western Sydney University, the AYUSH Information Cell, and the Ministry of AYUSH, India.

Dr. Sushil Kumar, the Consulate General of India in Melbourne, delegated Consul Mr. Hemant Kumar Pandey to be the chief guest for the event. The celebration began with a traditional Danvantri Puja, followed by the lighting of the lamp by Mr. Pandey, Dr. Kusum Lata (chief organiser), and other distinguished guests, including:

• Dr. Naveen Shukla, President of the Australasian Association of Ayurveda Inc.
• Dr. Rajagopala, Ayurveda Chair, Western Sydney University
• Dr Krishna Kumar, Patron of Australasian Association of Ayurveda Inc. (present online)
• Dr. Santosh Yadav, AYUSH Information Cell
• Ms. Monica Raizada, Founder & Director of Vedic Global

Theme of the Year: “Ayurveda Innovation for Global Health”

The central theme of this year’s Ayurveda Day celebration focused on “Ayurveda Innovation for Global Health.” The event aimed to explore how Ayurvedic principles and innovations can address contemporary global health challenges. Discussions centred around integrating traditional Ayurvedic practices with modern healthcare innovations to make Ayurveda more accessible and relevant on a global scale.

Primary Objectives of Ayurveda Day

1. Integrating Tradition with Modern Innovation: The event highlighted how Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine, can adapt to modern healthcare needs. This included discussions on new research, digital health tools, and personalised Ayurvedic treatments. Innovations in Ayurvedic formulations and technologies were presented, showcasing their relevance in the modern world.
2. Promoting Global Health Solutions: Ayurveda’s potential as a sustainable, cost-effective healthcare system was explored, focusing on its role in preventing and managing chronic diseases, stress, and mental health issues.
3. Encouraging Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: The event facilitated collaboration between Ayurvedic practitioners, scientists, medical professionals, and technology innovators. New Ayurvedic-based healthcare models were proposed to ensure that Ayurveda can be scalable, accessible, and adaptable across different cultures and regions.

Opening Remarks

• Mr. Hemant Kumar Pandey, Consul for Commerce and Education, Consulate General of India, Melbourne, delivered the opening speech. He highlighted the growing global recognition of Ayurveda, which is now acknowledged as a valid Traditional Medicine modality in 25 countries, including Australia. He also mentioned that India exports Ayurvedic products to over 100 countries.
• Dr. Naveen Shukla, President of the AAA, spoke about the 40-year legacy of the Australasian Association of Ayurveda, a leading organization dedicated to promoting Ayurveda in Australia.

Key Presentations and Discussions

The event featured insightful presentations from Ayurvedic experts, including:

• Dr. Rajagopala (Ayurveda Chair, NICM -Western Sydney University): Dr. Rajagopala emphasized the distinction between invention and innovation. He explained that while inventions introduce something new, innovations adapt and build on existing knowledge. He discussed innovations in:
• Education: The development of a uniform syllabus for Ayurvedic studies.
• Treatment: New technologies and techniques in Ayurvedic treatments.
• Pharmacy: Modernized herbal delivery systems and packaging.
• Preventative Measures: Innovations like automated Shirodhara equipment to regulate temperature.

He also discussed the importance of the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library in safeguarding Ayurvedic knowledge from patenting exploitation.

• Dr. Roopa Kannanur: (AAA) Dr. Kannanur addressed how Melbourne’s fluctuating and unpredictable climate affects the body, creating stress. She emphasized how Ayurvedic practices like Dinacharya (daily routine) and Ritucharya (seasonal routine) can help maintain balance and health in such conditions.
• Dr. Pallavi Tivarekar: (AAA) Dr. Tivarekar discussed modern health challenges, such as back pain and sedentary lifestyles, linking them to Ayurvedic practices of mindful eating, meditation, and holistic wellness routines. She shared practical remedies for common modern health issues.
• Dr. Rajaram Mehto: (AIIA): Dr. Mehto provided a comprehensive overview of Ayurvedic treatments for diabetes and metabolic disorders. He discussed therapies like Rasayana (rejuvenation), Samshodhana (detoxification), and Samshamana (palliative care). He also introduced Nadi Tarangini, a device developed by AIIA for detecting diabetes.
• Dr. Ramakant Yadav: (AIIA): Dr. Yadav focused on mental health, discussing Ayurvedic therapies like Sattvavajaya Chikitsa (psychotherapy) and Yuktivyapashray (rational therapy). He introduced Psycho Veda, a fusion approach that combines Ayurvedic principles with modern psychotherapy techniques, highlighting the positive effects of yoga, meditation, and herbal remedies on mental health.

Ayurvedic-Inspired Food

A special highlight of the event was the healthy, Ayurveda-inspired food provided by Juice Veda. Attendees enjoyed Ayurvedic herbal tea, fresh green juice, sugarcane juice, Kanji (fermented drink), vegetable wraps, millet dishes, and more. These wholesome, nutritious offerings energized and inspired participants, reflecting the holistic approach of Ayurveda to health and wellness.

Conclusion

The Ayurveda Day 2024 celebration in Melbourne was a resounding success, offering a platform to explore how Ayurveda, through innovation, can address modern health challenges. The event showcased how Ayurveda’s time-tested principles, when integrated with contemporary technologies, can provide sustainable, preventive, and holistic solutions to health issues globally. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, Ayurveda has the potential to bridge the gap between tradition and modernity, making a meaningful contribution to global healthcare.

The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by the gracious Dr. Kusum Lata, the chief organiser and AAA Treasurer. In her closing remarks on behalf of AAA Dr. Kusum Lata expressed deep gratitude to all the esteemed speakers whose presentations were centred around the theme “Ayurveda Innovations for Global Health.” She acknowledged the valuable contributions of each speaker in highlighting the transformative potential of Ayurveda in addressing contemporary health challenges.

Dr. Kusum Lata on behalf of AAA also extended her sincere thanks to the chief guests consulate general of India to Melbourne, Ayurveda chair western Sydney university, Ayush Information cell, members of the Australasian Association of Ayurveda (AAA), and the enthusiastic public who attended the event. She emphasized that their participation and support were pivotal in making the celebration a grand success.

With her leadership and vision, she has once again demonstrated her commitment to promoting Ayurveda globally. Her efforts have made it possible for Ayurveda to continue evolving, integrating modern innovations while staying true to its ancient wisdom. The event concluded on a note of optimism for the future of Ayurveda, as innovations continue to ensure that this timeless system of medicine remains relevant and effective in addressing the health needs of the contemporary world.

Dr. Kusum Lata’s dedication to the field of Ayurveda is truly inspiring, and her role in organizing such a successful event “Ayurveda Day 2024 in Melbourne” on behalf of AAA further solidifies her as a prominent leader in the Ayurvedic community.