Vice- President of India emphasises need to develop fitness culture in country

Belagavi: Jagdeep Dhankhar, Vice- President of India emphasised the need to develop a fitness culture in the country so that every Indian is fit and healthy, and able to contribute positively to India’s March for Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Addressing the 18th Foundation Day celebrations of ICMR - National Institute of Traditional Medicine (NITM), Belagavi in Karnataka, VP underlined the need to focus on “what is already with our knowledge, our wisdom,” when it comes to health.

Recognising that India’s rich tapestry of traditional medicine, encompassing Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Yoga, is a testament to the profound wisdom of our ancestors, he said, “They embody a perfect blend of science, philosophy, and spirituality, emphasising the harmonious balance between mind, body, and spirit and nature.”

Stressing the need to protect our biodiversity and traditional knowledge for future generations, VP Dhankhar called for involving every village in the pious task to make the country health-conscious and health-aware. "I would urge even at Panchayat level, we must have great focus on medicinal and herbal plants. At the end of the day the plants will converge into a laboratory to give us what is our basic need," he added.

Praising the researchers of NITM for working towards affordable solutions to many modern day diseases, the Vice President made an appeal to the corporate and public leaders to do everything possible to support research and development. "Please come forward; use your CSR to promote research, development, innovation and start ups. They’ll do us a great good," he urged.