New Delhi, July 15: President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the three-day international seminar ‘Sushrutam 2026’ focused on Ayurvedic surgery at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi on Wednesday. The seminar, held on the occasion of Sushruta Jayanti, is organized by AIIA under the Ministry of AYUSH and features renowned surgeons, researchers, educators, and policymakers from India and abroad.
During the event, the President also launched a state-of-the-art AI-enabled 3 Tesla high-field MRI facility at AIIA and released the study report titled ‘Assessment of Professional Life of Female Graduates in Ayurveda: An Observational and Exploratory Study’ published by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM).
In her address, the President highlighted that the unique contributions of Acharya Sushruta laid the foundation for scientific and systematic surgery worldwide. She noted that Ayurveda’s holistic approach to health remains highly relevant in modern healthcare. She emphasized the critical need for biodiversity conservation for the sustainable development of Ayurveda, ensuring the availability of medicinal plants, and scientifically validating traditional knowledge.
The President called for increased participation of women in the field of Ayurveda, stating that the challenges faced in their long-term career development should be addressed through collective efforts. She praised the Ministry of AYUSH for promoting Ayurveda globally, asserting that the integration of traditional knowledge with modern technology, diagnostic tools, and scientific research is continuously enhancing the potential and credibility of Ayurveda. She expressed confidence that events like ‘Sushrutam 2026’ will play a vital role in empowering evidence-based Ayurvedic practices and increasing their global acceptance.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Union Minister of State for AYUSH Prataprao Jadhav, Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Singh Sandhu, and Secretary of AYUSH Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha as distinguished guests.
Lieutenant Governor Sandhu remarked that India’s civilizational strength lies in its rich knowledge traditions, with Ayurveda being a priceless and enduring contribution. He noted that health systems worldwide are recognizing the importance of preventive, holistic, and lifestyle-based medical approaches alongside modern medicine. He stressed the need to strengthen scientific research, evidence-based studies, and international collaboration to enhance Ayurveda’s global credibility and acceptance. He added that institutions like AIIA play a crucial role in coordinating traditional knowledge with modern science through quality education, research, and innovation.
Union Minister of State for AYUSH and Health Prataprao Jadhav stated that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Ayurveda has gained unprecedented recognition and new energy globally. He described ‘Sushrutam 2026’ as an important platform for promoting excellence in Ayurvedic surgery and strengthening international collaboration. Referring to the NCISM study, he highlighted the challenges faced by female Ayurveda graduates in career development and emphasized the need for policy interventions and institutional collaboration to increase their participation in leadership, research, and clinical services. He also underscored the importance of encouraging young Ayurveda professionals to actively contribute to nation-building and global healthcare.
Welcoming the guests, AIIA Director Prof. (Vaidya) P.K. Prajapati stated that ‘Sushrutam 2026’ marks a significant milestone in coordinating classical Ayurvedic surgical knowledge with contemporary scientific advancements. He noted that this seminar will play a vital role in strengthening academic collaboration at national and international levels, promoting high-quality research, and encouraging clinical excellence in Ayurvedic surgery.
The newly established AI-enabled 3 Tesla high-field MRI facility will enhance AIIA’s clinical services, accelerate integrated research between Ayurveda and modern medicine, and provide patients with quality and affordable imaging services.
Experts from nine countries, including Thailand, Israel, Austria, the United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Nepal, and Greece, are participating in this three-day international seminar. The scientific program includes keynote lectures, panel discussions, workshops, and technical sessions on surgical techniques, Kshar Sutra, Agnikarma, robotic surgery, integrated oncology, and other emerging fields of research.
The aim of ‘Sushrutam 2026’ is to promote evidence-based dialogue, encourage innovation, and strengthen global collaboration in the field of Ayurvedic surgery.
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