Protect Ayurveda and it will protect you, says Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Karnataka Chief minister, BS Yedyurappa, inaugurated the Ayurveda Congress and announced the setting up of the Karnataka Ayurveda University, All India Institute of Ayush at the cost of Rs10 crore with support from the Centre.

The government will encourage research in the field of Ayurveda, for which space will be allocated in one of the Special Economic Zones. “We have also planned many innovative methods to develop infrastructure. But it cannot be revealed now due to election code conduct,” he said.

The chief guest of the occasion, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of Art of Living Foundation, said that ayurveda which was once a part of every household had now become a dying science. A 3,000-year old science must not be brushed aside, he said. “If we protect Ayurveda, Ayurveda will protect us,” said Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

He requested the European delegates not to pass laws which would affect the flow of Ayurveda to the continent. “Thirty percent of Europeans suffer from depression and it would rise to 50% in the coming days. They should not be deprived of Ayurveda,” he said.

He also added that the presence of Ayurveda should expand from the existing 30 to all the 194 countries in world.

He also proposed a concept of organic state for Karnataka, where farming and cutivation will be based on organic methods. “There should be development of good quality herbs. A comprehensive plan should include environmentalists, farmers, doctors, and pharmaceutical experts in the development of a natural and sustainable method,” he said.

Over the next seven days, 1,270 research papers will be presented on Ayurveda by over 4,000 delegates participating in various events.

The programme will also encourage an interaction between traditional healers and new practitioners of Ayurveda. There is also a large ayurveda expo and free medical check up for the general public.