New Delhi, April 19 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday highlighted the importance of Ayurveda and said that India’s Ayurveda is a holistic science of life which goes beyond healing and treatment. He was addressing the stakeholders after laying the foundation stone of WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in Jamnagar. “India’s traditional medicine system is not limited to treatment. It is a holistic science of life… Ayurveda goes beyond just healing and treatment,” said the Prime Minister. He elaborated that in Ayurveda, apart from healing and treatment, social health, mental health-happiness, environmental health, sympathy, compassion and productivity are included. “Ayurveda is taken as the knowledge of life and it has been deemed as fifth Veda,” he said. Emphasising on taking a balanced diet, the PM said that good health is directly related to a balanced diet. “Our ancestors considered diet as half of the treatment and our medical systems are replete with dietary advice,” he said. The PM said that it is a matter of immense pride for India that 2023 has been chosen as the International Year of Millets by the ted Nations. He noted the rising demand for Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani formulations globally as many countries are stressing upon the traditional medicine for dealing with the pandemic. Modi pointed out that Yoga has proved immensely useful in fighting diseases like diabetes, obesity and depression. Yoga also helped people in reducing mental tension and finding balance in mind-body and consciousness, he said. The PM emphasized that the ultimate goal should be of attaining wellness. He said while staying disease-free may be an important part of the life but ultimate goal has to be wellness. “Importance of wellness was keenly felt during the pandemic period,” the PM said. He said that the world is looking for new dimension of health care delivery today. “I am happy that by giving the slogan One planet our health WHO has promoted the Indian vision of One Earth, One Health,” he said. Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and Director General of WHO Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus were also present on the occasion. The PM assured Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus that his expectations from India regarding the Centre will be met. The Prime Minister said that the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine is a recognition of India’s contribution and potential in this field. The PM laid down five goals for the new Center. First, to create a database of traditional knowledge system using technology, second, GCTM can create international standards for testing and certification of traditional medicines so that confidence in these medicines improves. Third, GCTM should evolve as a platform where global experts of traditional medicines come together and share experiences. Fourth, GCTM should mobilize funding for research in the field of traditional medicines. Finally, GCTM should develop protocols for holistic treatment of specific diseases so that patients could benefit from both traditional and modern medicine. GCTM will be the first and only global outpost centre for traditional medicine across the world. Mauritius PM Pravind Kumar Jugnauth also thanked Modi for associating Mauritius with the occasion. He highlighted the importance of indigenous medical system and herbal products in various cultures. ASU