SHEGAON, MAHARASHTRA — President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday inaugurated the National Arogya Fair 2026 in Shegaon, Buldhana district, delivering a strong endorsement of India’s traditional medical systems. Highlighting the historical and ongoing contributions of Yoga, Ayurveda, and Siddha, the President underscored that healthy citizens are the foundational bedrock of a strong nation.
During the inaugural ceremony, President Murmu also felicitated six senior Vaidyas, recognizing their lifetime contributions and dedication to the field of AYUSH healthcare.
“The Greatest Happiness” In her address to the gathering, the President drew upon ancient Indian traditions, noting that holistic health has long been considered the ultimate form of wealth and happiness.
“Overall health is regarded as the greatest happiness. Promoting AYUSH systems supports physical well-being, strengthens economic progress, and contributes to environmental conservation at the same time,” President Murmu stated.
She pointed to the rich treasure trove of medicinal plants and health-protecting herbs found across India’s farms, kitchens, and forests. The President emphasized that cultivating and conserving this natural wealth is a multifaceted solution: it ensures a steady supply of raw materials for medicines, maintains critical environmental balances, and directly improves the economic standing of local farmers.
Global Acceptance Through Modern Standards Observing a global paradigm shift, President Murmu noted that the international community is increasingly turning to integrative medicine for disease prevention, with Yoga becoming a universal tool for stress relief and Ayurveda gaining traction for holistic treatments.
However, to truly cement AYUSH’s position on the world stage, she stressed the absolute necessity of modernization and rigorous scientific validation. She called for:
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Evidence-based research to scientifically validate traditional remedies.
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Standardization of medicines to ensure consistency and efficacy.
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Stringent quality control to build unshakeable global trust.
Expressing satisfaction with current governmental efforts, the President commended the Ministry of AYUSH for aligning its general guidelines for research and drug development with international standards. She expressed firm confidence that, backed by modern research and global partnerships, India’s traditional medicine systems will soon play a central, guiding role in global holistic healthcare.
