VARANASI: The ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), on Tuesday, announced its decision to observe Dhanvantari Jayanti, popularly known as Dhanteras, as National Ayurveda Day every year. The first National Ayurveda Day would be observed on October 28.In a letter, dated September 27, by adviser (Ayurveda) at AYUSH ministry, Dr. Manoj Nesari, apprised various departments about the central government’s decision to celebrate National Ayurveda Day every year on Dhanteras. The theme for this year is ‘Ayurveda for Prevention and Control of Diabetes’.
Nesari, in his letter, requested state governments, state AYUSH directorates, Ayurveda educational institutions and pharmaceutical companies to commemorate the occasion by organizing public lectures, seminars and exhibitions on the day.Meanwhile, the declaration was welcomed with cheer and happiness by professors associated with faculty of Ayurveda at Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS) in Banaras Hindu University (BHU).

Speaking on the occasion, director of IMS, BHU, Prof VK Shukla said, “In compliance with the directive, various programmes will be organized based on the theme. The faculty of Ayurveda has been organizing series of activities, like the Shishyopnayan Sanskar, on the occasion of Dhanvantari Jayanti for last few years.”

Prof Anand Chaudhary, HOD of department of Rasa Shastra, Ayurveda faculty, IMS, BHU and member of scientific advisory group, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences requested all Ayurvedic hospitals and institutes in Varanasi district and east UP region to organize theme-based programmes on the occasion.