New Delhi: In a significant initiative to promote the ancient Siddha system of medicine, Dr. Munjpara Mahendra Bhai, Union Minister of State for Ayush and Women and Child Development, flagged off the ‘Siddha Wellness Rally & Awareness Campaign’ (SWARC) from Ayush Bhavan, Ministry of Ayush campus in New Delhi. The event is organized by the Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) and the National Institute of Siddha (NIS), both under the Ministry of Ayush. The 20-day expedition will cover approximately 3333 kilometers from New Delhi to Kanyakumari, passing through 8 states/UTs and featuring 21 awareness camp points.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Munjapara highlighted the historical significance of the Siddha system of medicine, one of the oldest healthcare traditions. Recognizing its role in national and global health and wellness, the Ministry of Ayush has established the National Institute of Siddha and the Central Council for Research in Siddha.
Dr. Meenakumari, Director of the National Institute of Siddha, emphasized that the bikers’ rally would support the Ayush system of medicine and disseminate the message of Siddha across the nation, connecting the youth with this ancient system. The bikers are poised to serve as dynamic Siddha medicine ambassadors with hashtags such as #ScientistsOnBike, #DoctorsOnBike, #FacultiesOnBike, and #ResearchersOnBike.
Joint Secretary B.K. Singh, Joint Secretary Dr. Kavita Garg, DDG Satyajit Paul, Advisor Unani MoAyush Dr. M.A. Qasmi, Principal Consultant MoAyush Pramod Kumar Pathak, and President of Board of Unani, NCISM – Siddha and Sowa Rigpa, Dr. K Jagannathan, were among the dignitaries present during the event.
The SWARC program includes various features such as awareness events, meet and greet sessions with public representatives, government dignitaries, and more, involving 20 bikers and 2 standby bikers. The campaign is supported by a comprehensive media strategy to ensure widespread attention and resonance with diverse audiences across the regions it traverses.
Siddha medicine, as one of the oldest codified traditions of healthcare in the Indian sub-continent, offers novel therapeutic interventions and treatment modalities. The SWARC initiative aims to bring awareness to Siddha’s holistic approach to well-being, emphasizing lifestyle practices, dietary regimens, and the usage of safe and effective plant-based drugs, minerals, and animal-origin drugs. The rally is expected to leave a lasting impact on the regions it covers, promoting the rich heritage of the Siddha system of medicine.