Baridua, Meghalaya | 23 September 2026:
IA Ayurvedic Medical College, USTM, celebrated the 11th Ayurveda Day with a week-long series of activities from 16 to 23 September. The celebration followed the directions of the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India and the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM).
This year’s national theme, “Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow” (Swastha Bhavishya Ke Liye Ayurveda), centred on three pillars: Integrative Healthcare, Evidence-based Research and Innovation and Community Well-being. Over the week, IAMC held eight major activities that reached more than 450 students, faculty members, patients, elderly citizens and members of the public.
The celebration began on 16 September with a free Ayurveda health camp for 100 elderly residents at the Government Old Age Home, Sonapur, Assam. The camp offered general check-ups, blood pressure and blood sugar screening, and joint pain consultations. Free medicines were distributed for conditions such as Sandhigata Vata, Nidranasha and Amlapitta. A health talk on Jara Avastha me Ahara-Vihara introduced the residents to geriatric care through Ayurveda, and they expressed heartfelt gratitude to the medical team.
On 21 September, IAMC organised a free medical camp with a live yoga demonstration at Kali Mandir, Jorabat. Seventy patients received consultations and free medicines. They were also taught simple asanas for low back pain, diabetes, hypertension and stress management.
On 18 September, a free Prakriti Pariksha camp at the IAMC Hospital OPD Block helped more than 85 students and patients understand their individual constitution. Prakriti was assessed with a validated questionnaire and Nadi Pariksha. Participants were then counselled on Ahara, Vihara and Dinacharya suited to their constitution to help prevent disease.
A seminar on the national theme was held on 22 September at the IAMC Conference Hall, with 120 faculty members, postgraduate scholars and undergraduate students attending. Prof. (Dr.) Jyotirmoy Sarmah, Professor and Head of the Department of Shalakya at Government Ayurvedic College, Guwahati, spoke on the future roadmap of Ayurveda, covering integrative healthcare, scientific validation, lifestyle medicine and sustainable living. Dr. Sikha Lekharu, Associate Professor in the Department of Samhita and Siddhanta, IAMC, also served as a resource person. An interactive session followed.
In the spirit of One Health, IAMC organised a joint yoga camp on 22 and 23 September, with more than 150 students from the Arts, Science, B.Ed. and LLM programmes of USTM. IAMC’s yoga instructors demonstrated the Common Yoga Protocol of the Ministry of AYUSH, and a lecture on Yoga for Mental Well-being was delivered. Students from all streams took part with enthusiasm.
IAMC’s students also took part in two competitions:
- E-Poster Presentation Competition: BAMS students presented 25 e-posters on Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow, One Health, Dinacharya and Ritucharya.
- Scientific Reel Making Competition: Thirty short reels (30 to 60 seconds) on yoga, Ayurvedic lifestyle and herbal gardens were screened, and the best three were awarded.
On 23 September, 100 students carried placards and medicinal plants in an awareness rally from IAMC to the USTM main gate. They raised slogans such as “Adopt Ayurveda for Healthier Tomorrow” and “Swastha Bharat, Samriddha Bharat.”
The week closed with the main programme on the morning of 23 September at the Prof. NKC Auditorium, USTM. It began with lamp lighting and Dhanwantari Vandana, followed by an inaugural song by Neel Sagar Adhikary and group. Dr. Chandrama Kalita, Assistant Professor, Department of Samhita and Siddhanta, gave the welcome address.
Prof. G. D. Sharma, Honourable Vice Chancellor of USTM, delivered the inaugural speech. Prof. (Dr.) Anil Kumar Sarma, Principal of IAMC, and Dr. Dhirendra Nath Deka, HOD of Rachana Sharir, also addressed the gathering. The chief guest, Dr. O.P. Gupta, Retired Professor of Kayachikitsa at Government Ayurvedic College, Guwahati, and Former Dean of SSUHS, gave the chief guest address.
A cultural programme followed, with a violin performance by Bipakshi Kaushik and a solo song by Yashraj Singh. Prizes were then presented to the competition winners and Dr. Trishna Sarma, Assistant Professor in the Department of PTSR, proposed the vote of thanks.
The week-long celebration raised awareness of preventive and holistic health through Ayurveda among students, the elderly and the wider community. In doing so, IAMC advanced the Ministry of AYUSH’s vision of taking Ayurveda to every home as a Jan Andolan.
IAMC thanks the Honourable Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of USTM, the Principal, all heads of departments, faculty members, students and the media for their support in making the 11th Ayurveda Day a success.
