Chandigarh, January 24, 2026: An expert meet on “Theory, Practice, and Research Translation of Yoga: A Health-Centered Exploration” was held at the UT Guest House, Sector 6, Chandigarh, to chart the future of integrative health and wellness in the region. The meet was organised by Dr. Krishan Kumar (Additional Professor, Psychiatry, PGIMER), Dr. Pramod K. Avti (Additional Professor, Biophysics, PGIMER), and Dr. Akshay Anand (Professor In-Charge, CCRYN–Collaborative Centre for Mind Body Intervention through Yoga, PGIMER).
The meeting, chaired by Shri J. Balamurugan, Additional Chief Secretary, Punjab, brought together key stakeholders to deliberate on the role of Yoga, Ayurveda, modern medicine, and technology in addressing lifestyle disorders and chronic diseases. Experts unanimously recommended the establishment of an AyurYog Centre: An International Centre for Research & Translation in Integrative Health and Wellness in Chandigarh.
The vision of the centre is to integrate Ayurveda, Yoga, Modern Medicine, and technological advancements for prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and workforce training to tackle conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, dementia, mental health disorders, addiction, and burnout among healthcare workers.
To achieve this, a three-phase roadmap was proposed:
- Phase 1: Establish an AyurYog hub at PGIMER by expanding the existing CCRYN Yoga Centre with long-term funding and linking it with UT hospitals and research centres.
- Phase 2: Develop a national hub-and-spoke model connecting institutions across India to share best practices, research, and service innovations.
- Phase 3: International expansion through a joint India–UK AyurYog Centre in collaboration with the University of Southampton, UK, under the UK-India Free Trade Agreement. An endorsement letter by Lord Patel (House of Lords) was presented during the meet.
Experts urged the Hon’ble Governor of Punjab to allocate space in Chandigarh for expanding the CCRYN Yoga Centre into a full-fledged AyurYog Centre, calling it crucial for timely implementation of the vision. Several philanthropists, including Mr. Rakesh Mittal, Mr. Omkar Singh Namdhari, and Mr. Shashi (USA), pledged support to mobilise resources for this initiative.
The Expert Committee recommended that the centre be formally launched before June 21, 2026 – International Day of Yoga, positioning Chandigarh and India as global pioneers in integrative medicine.
On January 24, 2026, a follow-up workshop titled “Yoga, Meditation & Wellbeing: A Health-Centered Exploration” was held at PGIMER, inaugurated by Sh. Kuldip Jain, Former District & Sessions Judge, Sirsa. The workshop witnessed participation of over 100 delegates and featured talks by national and international experts from NBRC, Shoolini University, University of Southampton, GMCH-32, and leading public health institutions.
The CCRYN Yoga Centre at PGIMER continues to provide free evidence-based yoga sessions to healthcare workers, patients, and caregivers, while also receiving inter-departmental referrals, reinforcing PGIMER’s leadership in mind-body medicine and holistic healthcare.
