National Naturopathy Day is annually observed across India on 18th November to promote mental and physical health through “Naturopathy”, a form of healthcare that combines modern treatment with traditional methods.
- 18th November 2024 marks the observance of the 7th National Naturopathy Day.
- This annual observance is led by the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, and Homoeopathy).
Theme:
The theme of the 7th National Naturopathy Day is “Naturopathy for Healthy Aging and Longevity”.
- The 2024 theme highlights the vital role of natural therapies in enhancing quality of life and promoting sustainable wellness throughout the aging process.
Background:
i.The Ministry of AYUSH declared the 18th November of every year as National Naturopathy Day in 2018.
ii.The first ever National Naturopathy Day was observed on 18th November 2018.
Why November 18?
18th November marks the day on which Mahatma Gandhi became the lifetime Chairman of the All India Nature Cure Foundation Trust in 1945 and signed the deed to make the benefits of Nature Cure available to all classes of people.
What is Naturopathy?
i.Naturopathy, also known as naturopathic medicine, is a holistic system of health care that uses natural agents and physical means to treat disease. This is a drug-free medical system that uses natural remedies to help the body heal itself. This avoids the use of surgery and conventional medicines.
ii.Naturopathic practitioners, or Naturopathic Doctors (NDs), use a variety of therapies and techniques to help patients heal and prevent illness.
Events 2024:
The 7th Naturopathy Day was celebrated at the Central Research Institute of Yoga and Naturopathy (CRIYN), Nagamangala(Karnataka), under the aegis of the Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy (CCRYN), Ministry of Ayush.
Key People: Kavita Garg, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Dr. Raghavendra Rao, Director of CCRYN, Dr. H.R. Nagendra, Chancellor of Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (SVYASA) University in Bengaluru(Karnataka), was present during the event.
Highlights:
i.Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav, suggested establishing Yoga and Naturopathy Diet Centres (YNDCs) across India.
ii.He also noted that the ministry is set to create a chain of research and teaching institutes like Central Research Institutes in Yoga and Naturopathy (CRIYN) with 100 to 200 bed hospitals to conduct high-level research across various states.
- Currently, 2 CRIYNs, one at Nagamangala and another one at Jhajjar, Haryana, are already operational.
- On 29th October 2024 (Ayurveda Day), PM Modi laid the foundation stone for CRIYNs in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, and Khorda, Odisha. Plans are underway for similar institutes in Assam, Andhra Pradesh(AP), and Kerala.
iii.During the event, the winners from the YOGATECH Challenge, which recognized innovative startups blending yoga with modern technology, were felicitated.
- 15 startups across categories such as devices, IT solutions, and props and accessories made it to the finals,
- NT Solutions (Devices category) and Yog4Life (Solutions category) were among the winners.
iv.During the event, “The Role of Yoga in UN SDG Goals”, a collaborative book by National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), SVYASA University, and CCRYN, was released.
- Also, 10 research books on yoga, one on naturopathy, and the inaugural issue of the Indian Journal of Yoga and Naturopathy, published by Wolters Kluwer were also launched.
International conference:
i.The International Conference on Naturopathy was organized by CCRYN from November 18-19, 2024 in Nagamangala.
ii.This acts as a platform to unite healthcare professionals, researchers, practitioners, students, and enthusiasts from diverse fields to discuss, share, and explore evidence-based practices in Naturopathy.
About Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, and Homoeopathy):
The Ministry of Ayush was formed on the 9th of November 2014.
Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge/IC)- Jadhav Prataprao Ganpatrao(Constituency – Buldhana, Maharashtra)
Secretary– Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha
