Latest news with #VaidyaRajeshKotecha
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Ministry of Ayush releases list of Ayurvedic food preparations under category of ‘Ayurveda Aahara'
Aimed at providing credible reference for the manufacture of Ayurveda Aahara products, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in consultation with the Ministry of Ayush, has released a list of Ayurvedic food preparations under the category of 'Ayurveda Aahara'. Ayurveda Aahara refers to food products developed in line with the holistic dietary principles of Ayurveda. These preparations emphasise balance, seasonal suitability, and using natural ingredients and herbs known for their therapeutic benefits. With rising public interest in preventive health and sustainable living, Ayurveda Aahara is increasingly recognised as a trusted nutritional choice that harmonises tradition with modern dietary habits, noted a release issued by the Ministry. Going mainstream 'This move will bring India's traditional food wisdom into the mainstream, following the introduction of the Food Safety and Standards (Ayurveda Aahara) Regulations in 2022. These regulations recognise foods based on recipes, ingredients, and processes from authoritative Ayurvedic texts, and the new list brings unprecedented clarity and confidence to consumers and businesses alike,' explained an Ayush Ministry official adding that the list, issued under Note (1) of Schedule B of the regulations, draws directly from classical Ayurvedic texts listed in Schedule A. To facilitate future additions, FSSAI has established a process for FBOs to request inclusion of additional Category A products not yet listed and such requests need supporting references from authoritative texts in Schedule A. All future updates or changes will be duly notified FSSAI. Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (I/C), Ministry of Ayush & Minister of State, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, urged citizens to incorporate Ayurveda Aahara into their daily lives to experience its long-term health benefits. Balanced life: Minister 'These are time-tested dietary practices, rooted in India's traditional wisdom, not only nourish the body but also strengthen immunity, support digestion, and promote overall well-being. In today's fast-paced lifestyle, adopting Ayurveda Aahara is a meaningful step toward preventive healthcare and a balanced, sustainable way of living,' the Minister said. Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, stated that the release of the definitive list of Ayurveda Aahara products marks a pivotal step in aligning India's traditional knowledge systems with modern regulatory frameworks. 'This initiative not only empowers Food Business Operators with much-needed clarity but also strengthens consumer trust in Ayurveda-based nutrition,' the Secretary noted.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
India to host three-day WHO-IRCH workshop from Aug 6
India to host three-day WHO-IRCH workshop from Aug 6India will host the WHO-International Regulatory Cooperation for Herbal Medicines (IRCH) workshop from August 6 at Hotel Fortune District Centre in Ghaziabad. The three-day workshop is being organised by the Ministry of Ayush in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and supported by the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), the Ayush ministry said in a statement. The international workshop will bring together global experts and regulators to strengthen capacity in the regulation of herbal medicines, the statement said. The event will be inaugurated by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, and Dr. Kim Sungchol, Chairperson, WHO-IRCH. Physical participation from countries including Bhutan, Brunei, Cuba, Ghana, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, Paraguay, Poland, Sri Lanka, Uganda, and Zimbabwe is expected, while Brazil, Egypt, and the USA will join virtually. The workshop will serve as a platform for international cooperation and technical exchange, addressing five key objectives: fostering collaboration, enhancing safety and efficacy mechanisms, supporting regulatory convergence, and empowering traditional medicine systems globally, the statement said. Among the highlights are reviews of WHO-IRCH Working Groups 1 and 3 focusing on safety, regulation, efficacy, and intended use of herbal medicines'alongside sessions on pre-clinical research, regulatory frameworks, and safety case studies, including a focused discussion on Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Participants will benefit from hands-on training in herbal drug identification, heavy metal analysis, and chemo-profiling using HPTLC technology at PCIM&H laboratories. The workshop will also introduce the Ayush Suraksha (Pharmacovigilance) Programme, aimed at strengthening safety monitoring of traditional medicines, the statement said. To provide deeper exposure to India's integrative health ecosystem, the delegates will undertake visits to PCIM&H, the National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM), Ghaziabad, and the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi. With participation from regulatory authorities and experts across continents, the workshop is expected to contribute significantly towards harmonizing global standards and promoting the safe, effective integration of traditional medicine into mainstream public health, the statement said.
News18
4 days ago
- Health
- News18
India to host three-day WHO-IRCH workshop from Aug 6
Agency: New Delhi, Aug 5 (PTI) India will host the WHO-International Regulatory Cooperation for Herbal Medicines (IRCH) workshop from August 6 at Hotel Fortune District Centre in Ghaziabad. The three-day workshop is being organised by the Ministry of Ayush in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and supported by the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), the Ayush ministry said in a statement. The international workshop will bring together global experts and regulators to strengthen capacity in the regulation of herbal medicines, the statement said. The event will be inaugurated by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, and Dr. Kim Sungchol, Chairperson, WHO-IRCH. Physical participation from countries including Bhutan, Brunei, Cuba, Ghana, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, Paraguay, Poland, Sri Lanka, Uganda, and Zimbabwe is expected, while Brazil, Egypt, and the USA will join virtually. The workshop will serve as a platform for international cooperation and technical exchange, addressing five key objectives: fostering collaboration, enhancing safety and efficacy mechanisms, supporting regulatory convergence, and empowering traditional medicine systems globally, the statement said. Among the highlights are reviews of WHO-IRCH Working Groups 1 and 3 focusing on safety, regulation, efficacy, and intended use of herbal medicines'�alongside sessions on pre-clinical research, regulatory frameworks, and safety case studies, including a focused discussion on Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Participants will benefit from hands-on training in herbal drug identification, heavy metal analysis, and chemo-profiling using HPTLC technology at PCIM&H laboratories. The workshop will also introduce the Ayush Suraksha (Pharmacovigilance) Programme, aimed at strengthening safety monitoring of traditional medicines, the statement said. To provide deeper exposure to India's integrative health ecosystem, the delegates will undertake visits to PCIM&H, the National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM), Ghaziabad, and the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi. With participation from regulatory authorities and experts across continents, the workshop is expected to contribute significantly towards harmonizing global standards and promoting the safe, effective integration of traditional medicine into mainstream public health, the statement said. PTI PLB NB NB view comments First Published: August 05, 2025, 17:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Gazette
15-06-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
Visakhapatnam readies for International Day of Yoga: Senior officials conduct key review meeting
Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) [India], June 15 (ANI): As India prepares to mark a decade of the International Day of Yoga (IDY), the city of Visakhapatnam--chosen as the national host for the 11th edition--witnessed a comprehensive field visit and high-level review meeting by senior officials from the Ministry of Ayush and the Government of Andhra Pradesh, said a statement, The review comes at a time when preparations are gaining momentum across the country, driven by the Prime Minister's clarion call to take yoga to the person at the last mile, the Ayush Ministry said in the statement. The inspection at ground level, led by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, and K Vijayanand, Special Chief Secretary, Government of Andhra Pradesh, included senior officials such as Monalisa Dash, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, District Collector M N Harendhira Prasad, and heads of key departments including Health, Urban Planning, Ayush, and VMRDA. Their joint visit to the main sites--RK Beach, Rishikonda Beach, Andhra University and GITAM University--underscored the scale and seriousness with which the event is being planned. These venues will not only host the main yoga demonstration but will also serve as centres for cultural, educational, and wellness activities, resonating with the Prime Minister's vision of yoga as a people-centric movement. During the review, detailed discussions were held on inter-departmental coordination, mobilisation- strategies, security protocols, and cultural integration. Special emphasis was laid on the preparedness of infrastructure and public participation, ensuring that every logistical aspect aligns with the national ambition of making yoga a mass movement. Officials reviewed how various departments are coming together in a spirit of collaboration, echoing the PM's vision that yoga should unite institutions and communities in the service of collective well-being. At the heart of Andhra Pradesh's efforts is the pioneering 'Yogandhra' initiative, which aims to transform yoga into a daily practice for more than two crore citizens across the state. Designed to mobilize communities at scale, Yogandhra includes mass awareness drives, yoga camps in schools and universities, and a targeted plan to create a certified pool of 20 lakh yoga practitioners. With IDY celebrations planned at one lakh locations across the state, and five lakh participants expected in Visakhapatnam alone, the initiative is a powerful embodiment of the Prime Minister's appeal to make yoga truly inclusive, accessible, and transformative. The Ministry of Ayush lauded the proactive leadership of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, stating that the state's ambitious scale and grassroots engagement model reflect the evolving spirit of IDY as a global wellness campaign rooted in Indian tradition. As June 21 approaches, Visakhapatnam stands ready to showcase how yoga can bridge communities, enhance well-being, and reflect India's commitment to 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health.' (ANI)
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Ayush Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha gets fourth extension
New Delhi: The Centre on Tuesday extended the tenure of Ayush Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha by a year till June 28, 2026. This will be his fourth extension on the post. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the extension in the tenure of Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, on contract basis for a period of one year beyond June 28, 2025, up to June 28, 2025, on existing terms and conditions, said an order issued by the Personnel Ministry. Kotecha is among the select group of lateral entry appointees who were picked by the Centre as specialists for government departments. In another departure from the convention of appointing a bureaucrat to the top post, the Centre had in 2017 appointed him as the Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush ( Ayurveda , Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy). He was given two-year extensions twice, first in 2020 and then in 2022. In June last year, his tenure was extended by one more year, which was to end on June 28, 2025. Kotecha, who was a chief consultant at the Chakrapani Ayurveda Clinic in Jaipur, was appointed as a Special Secretary in the Ayush Ministry in June 2017. Later, he was appointed as the secretary. The Ayush Ministry was formed on November 9, 2014, to revive the profound knowledge of ancient systems of medicine with focused attention towards education and research in Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy. Earlier, the Department of Indian System of Medicine and Homoeopathy (ISM&H) formed in 1995 was responsible for the development of these systems.
