VP inaugurates KAUMARACON-2026, launches digital initiatives at AIIA

CP Radhakrishnan, Vice President of India inaugurated the third edition of the international conference on Kaumarabhritya, KAUMARACON-2026, organised by the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, and called for greater scientific research to establish the efficacy of traditional healthcare practices and strengthen their global acceptance.

Addressing the conference, he emphasised the need to integrate traditional knowledge with scientific research to improve healthcare outcomes and build patient confidence. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of developing AIIA on a par with AIIMS, he said the Institute was moving towards realising this vision. He also congratulated AIIA on its 10th Foundation Day and stressed the importance of research, innovation and academic excellence.

The Vice President highlighted the role of the Ministry of AYUSH, established in 2014, in strengthening education, expanding healthcare services and promoting scientific research. He also noted collaborations between the Ministry and institutions such as ICMR, CSIR, DBT, DST and AIIMS to advance interdisciplinary research and dialogue between traditional medicine and modern healthcare.

He cited the international recognition of Yoga and the establishment of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar as milestones in promoting India’s traditional knowledge globally.

Emphasising the importance of paediatric healthcare, Radhakrishnan said the conference theme, “Shaping the Future of Child Health: Global Perspectives, Research Innovations, and Clinical Frontiers in Kaumarabhritya”, reflected the shared responsibility of ensuring children’s healthy growth and development.

He called for greater attention to nutrition, physical growth, disease prevention and emotional well-being, adding that child health and the quality of human capital would be crucial to India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

During the event, the Vice President inaugurated the AYUSH Start-up Portal, the AIIA–iCAINE website and the Ayurveda Digital Innovation and Venture Acceleration Facility (AyuDIVA). He also launched the Vamana App and the Panchakarma Assessment App.

An international memorandum of understanding between Maharishi International University (MIU), USA, and AIIA, New Delhi, was exchanged in his presence.

Earlier, the Vice-President visited AIIA’s hospital facilities and Dhanwantari Vatika, where he was briefed on the Institute’s contributions to public health and the Ayurvedic significance of medicinal plants, herbs and rocks displayed at the Vatika.

The event was attended by Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State for AYUSH and Health and Family Welfare; Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH; Dr Maneesha Upendra, Chairperson, National Commission for Indian System of Medicine; Professor P. K. Prajapati, Director, AIIA, New Delhi; and other dignitaries, researchers, faculty members and students.

Source: PIB