Photo : Collected

DHAKA, Sept 23, 2025 (BSS) - The Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka today celebrated the 10th National Ayurveda Day 2025 with a special programme highlighting the relevance of India's ancient wellness traditions in today's world.

This year's observance was held under the theme "Ayurveda for People, Ayurveda for Planet," emphasizing Ayurveda's role in promoting individual health as well as ecological harmony, according to a press release here.

The event brought together dignitaries, medical professionals, yoga practitioners, and members of the Bangladeshi youth delegation.

In her welcome remarks, IGCC Director Ann Mary George noted the strong historical, linguistic, and cultural bonds between India and Bangladesh, including in the field of traditional medicine. She pointed out that Ayurveda, along with Unani, Yoga, and Homeopathy, plays an integral role in Bangladesh's healthcare system.

George highlighted the potential for collaborative research between the two countries, given their shared geo-climatic conditions and medicinal plant resources. She also noted that many Bangladeshi students pursue higher education in traditional medicine in India, further deepening bilateral ties.

Reaffirming India's commitment to promoting traditional medicine, George said New Delhi would continue to support joint efforts in research, education, and knowledge exchange.

In the keynote address, Dr. Sarik Hasan Khan, Vice Principal of the Government Unani and Ayurvedic Medical College, Dhaka, emphasized the preventive healthcare benefits of Ayurveda and Unani systems.

The programme featured a short film titled "Journey of Ayurveda", a yoga demonstration by IGCC instructor Shahanaz Parvin Shikha, and an interactive session conducted by Farhana Sultana Karim, founder of Yoga Bliss, Dhaka.

Speakers also connected Ayurveda to India's Swasth Bharat Yojana vision, which aims to improve healthcare infrastructure, disease surveillance, and biomedical research, while promoting a "One Health" approach integrating human, animal, and environmental well-being.