VP Inaugurates KAUMARACON-2026, Launches AIIA Digital Initiatives
C. P. Radhakrishnan calls for scientific validation of Ayurveda, stronger research and a renewed focus on child healthcare
- Vice-President inaugurates KAUMARACON-2026 in Delhi
- Five digital initiatives launched by AIIA
- Scientific validation urged for Ayurveda’s global acceptance
- Child health linked to Viksit Bharat 2047
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 15th Oct: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Thursday inaugurated KAUMARACON-2026, the third international conference on Kaumarabhritya, and launched several digital initiatives of the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi. He called for greater scientific research into Ayurveda to establish the efficacy of traditional healthcare practices, strengthen patient confidence and expand their global acceptance.
Addressing the conference, the Vice-President said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of developing AIIA on a par with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) was taking shape. Congratulating the institute on its 10th Foundation Day, he stressed the need for sustained research, innovation and academic excellence to strengthen its institutional standing.
Radhakrishnan described India’s traditional systems of medicine as a valuable legacy rooted in centuries of knowledge and civilisational wisdom. He highlighted the establishment of a separate Ministry of AYUSH in 2014 and its efforts to strengthen education, expand healthcare services and promote scientific research.
He also pointed to interdisciplinary collaborations between the Ministry of AYUSH and institutions such as the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Department of Science and Technology (DST) and AIIMS. According to him, integrating AYUSH services into leading medical institutions creates opportunities for dialogue and collaboration between traditional medicine and modern healthcare.
The Vice-President cited the international recognition of Yoga and the establishment of the World Health Organization’s Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar as significant milestones in taking India’s traditional knowledge to a global audience. He emphasised that rigorous scientific research and validation were essential to establishing the credibility of traditional healthcare practices internationally.
Child Healthcare at the Centre
Highlighting 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 that every child grows in a healthy and nurturing environment.
He stressed that children require particular attention to nutrition, growth, development, disease prevention and emotional well-being. He also underlined the connection between child health and India’s long-term development goals, noting that the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 depends on sustained investment in children’s health and the quality of human capital.
Calling upon researchers and practitioners to preserve traditional wisdom while strengthening it through scientific validation, the Vice-President said child health must remain central to India’s healthcare priorities.
Five Digital Initiatives Launched
During the event, Radhakrishnan 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.
The initiatives mark a further step towards expanding digital support for Ayurveda, innovation and institutional activities. An international Memorandum of Understanding between Maharishi International University (MIU), USA, and AIIA, New Delhi, was also exchanged in the Vice-President’s presence.
Earlier, he 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 of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine; Professor P. K. Prajapati, Director of AIIA, New Delhi; and other dignitaries, researchers, faculty members and students.
