02-09-2026 : Address by the Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand at the Integrated Medicine Seminar

Address by the Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand at the Integrated Medicine Seminar

(Date: September 02, 2026)

Jai Hind!

Hon’ble Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of AYUSH, and Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav Ji; Hon’ble Minister of Medical Health and Medical Education, Government of Uttarakhand, Shri Subodh Uniyal Ji; revered Swami Ramdev Ji; distinguished medical experts, scientists, academicians, researchers and doctors from India and abroad; Vice Chancellors of universities; representatives of medical institutions; and all the distinguished guests present here—I extend my heartfelt welcome and greetings to you all at Lok Bhavan.

India’s Sanatan culture has never regarded health merely as freedom from disease. Rather, it has viewed a healthy body, a healthy mind and a balanced way of life as the foundation of human well-being. This broader vision is beautifully reflected in our ancient prayer:

“Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah;
Sarve Bhadrani Pashyantu, Ma Kashchid-Duhkha-Bhag-Bhavet.”

May everyone be happy, may everyone be free from disease, may everyone see what is auspicious, and may no one suffer. This has been the fundamental spirit of India’s approach to healthcare.

Ayurveda emphasised the balance of the body, mind and way of life. Yoga showed us the path towards harmony of the body, mind and consciousness. Living in harmony with nature, eating a balanced diet and following a disciplined lifestyle have always been integral to our traditions.

Today’s seminar is an important endeavour to connect this great heritage of knowledge with the power of modern science, research and technology.

The extensive deliberations held today have further strengthened my belief that we must not create a competition for superiority among different systems of medicine. Instead, we must develop a culture of collaboration in the larger interest of the patient. Our systems of medicine may differ and their approaches may be different, but our ultimate centre of concern is the same—the human being and his or her health.

The true meaning of integrated medicine is precisely this: to bring together the useful strengths of modern medicine, Ayurveda, Yoga and other evidence-based systems through a scientific approach, so that patients can receive more comprehensive and safer healthcare.

The ultimate test of any system of medicine should not be its reputation or popularity, but the health, safety and quality of life of the patient.

Friends,

The health challenges facing us today are also changing. Diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, stress and mental-health-related problems are rapidly emerging as major concerns. Many of these challenges are also closely linked to our lifestyles.

Therefore, we must move beyond a healthcare system that waits for disease to occur and build a culture centred on disease prevention and healthy living.

Healthy nutrition, Yoga, regular physical activity, mental balance, adequate sleep, timely health check-ups and early detection—all of these must become integral components of healthcare.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, India’s healthcare system is also moving forward with this broader vision. Ayushman Bharat has expanded health protection, while through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, emphasis has been placed on bringing healthcare services closer to communities. Efforts are also being made to integrate India’s traditional systems of medicine and Yoga into a broader vision of health and well-being.

This gives us a clear direction: healthcare cannot remain confined within the four walls of a hospital; it must reach homes, families and communities.

However, it is equally important to maintain a proper balance in this journey. Our tradition is our strength, but science must provide the foundation for its credibility.

We should take pride in our traditional knowledge, but it is equally our responsibility to connect it with modern research, scientific evidence, quality standards and appropriate regulation.

What is effective must be validated through research. What is safe must be tested against rigorous quality standards. And what is genuinely beneficial to patients must be responsibly incorporated into the healthcare system.

Faith must be respected, but in healthcare, patient safety and scientific evidence must remain paramount. It is this balance that can transform our heritage into a source of strength for the future.

And Uttarakhand has extraordinary potential in this direction.

This is Devbhoomi. This is the land of the Himalayas. It is the land of Yoga and spirituality. Ayurveda and its rich tradition of medicinal plants are an integral part of its identity. Our biodiversity and natural resources provide us with a unique living laboratory.

But the time has now come for us to ensure that our heritage does not remain merely a matter of pride. We must transform it into a force for research, innovation and public health.

Our heritage gives us our identity, but research will give that identity credibility.

Our universities and medical institutions should promote interdisciplinary research in the field of integrated healthcare. Experts in Ayurveda, modern medicine, Yoga, nutrition, medicinal plants, biosciences, mental health, digital healthcare and artificial intelligence should work together.

In keeping with the spirit of “One University–One Research”, our universities can make Uttarakhand’s unique health challenges the focus of their research.

From Himalayan medicinal plants and mountain lifestyles to Yoga and mental health, and from the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and hypertension to new approaches in healthcare delivery—we need research whose benefits move beyond the laboratory and reach society.

A research paper becomes truly meaningful when its findings improve someone’s life.

Uttarakhand’s geographical conditions also place a special responsibility upon us. Remote villages, high-altitude regions and difficult terrain create significant challenges in accessing specialised healthcare.

For us, the real measure of healthcare cannot be merely the availability of a modern hospital in Dehradun. Our true test is the remote mountain village where access to specialised medical care remains difficult even today.

This is where technology can bring transformative change.

Through telemedicine, digital healthcare, modern diagnostics and the responsible use of artificial intelligence, we can take medical expertise to the mountains.

The real power of technology will become visible on the day when a citizen in a remote mountain village can receive timely advice from a medical specialist without having to travel long distances.

The important step taken today towards collaboration among HNB Uttarakhand Medical Education University, the Ministry of AYUSH and ICMR can give fresh momentum to this possibility.

My expectation is that this agreement should not remain merely a document. It should become a mission for research, a mission for innovation, a mission to create opportunities for young scientists and researchers, and a mission to deliver better healthcare to every citizen of Uttarakhand.

I believe that no great goal can be achieved through resources alone. It requires a clear purpose, discipline, coordination and a strong spirit of teamwork.

The same mission-oriented approach is needed in healthcare. The government should provide direction; universities should provide the power of knowledge and research; scientists should generate evidence; doctors should contribute their experience; technology institutions should accelerate innovation; and society should embrace healthy lifestyles.

The roles may be different, but the goal must be one—a healthy citizen and a healthy society.

And at the centre of this entire system must always be the patient.

A patient does not belong to any particular system of medicine; the patient is the responsibility of all of us.

His or her safety is our priority. Their trust is our greatest asset. And the returning smile of a person who has regained health is the most meaningful measure of our success.

I firmly believe that from this Himalayan land, we can develop a healthcare model in which Sanatan knowledge traditions, modern science, cutting-edge technology and human compassion come together.

Let us, therefore, take a new resolve from this Devbhoomi today:

We will combine our rich medical heritage with the power of modern science, research and cutting-edge technology and make Uttarakhand a leading centre for evidence-based integrated healthcare, research and innovation.

From this land of the Himalayas, we will develop a healthcare model that becomes an example for the country, provides new direction to India and introduces the world to India’s holistic vision of health.

Because—

Healthy citizens are our strength.
An empowered society is our identity.
A capable Uttarakhand is our resolve.
And a developed India is our goal.

Let us connect knowledge with evidence, evidence with policy, policy with service, and service with the last person in society.

That is the true service of humanity.

That is the resolve of a healthy India.

That is the path towards a healthy Uttarakhand.

And that is our contribution towards building a Viksit Bharat.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to HNB Uttarakhand Medical Education University and all the collaborating institutions for organising this important seminar.

With my best wishes to all the experts, doctors, scientists, researchers and participants who have joined us from India and abroad, I conclude my address.

Jai Hind!