Mauritius President to be chief guest at Global Ayurveda Fest in Kerala

A five-day Global Ayurveda Festival will be held from 20th February in Kerala to highlight the state's emergence as the global destination in which Mauritius President Rajkeswar Puryaag will be the chief guest.

Described as the biggest summit on Ayurveda, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will inaugurate the second edition, in which 4000 delegates from 35 countries are expected to participate. In the context of the growing burden of new age communicable diseases, the central theme of this edition will be Ayurveda in Public Health, Dr G G Gangadharan, Chairman National Steering committee and Dr G Vinod Kumar, Secretary General, told reporters in Kochi on Tuesday.

Though the potential of Ayurveda in public health is huge, it has unfortunately not been tapped to full potential till date. Various sub-themes for the event include various clinical specialities in Ayurveda, Cosmetology, Nutrition and a variety of other related topics. A Lankan delegation, including its Health minister Salinda Dissanayake; Mahipela Herath, Chief Minister of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council; B S B Yalegama, minister of health and Indigenous medicine, Kandy are among those participating.

A 50-member German delegation and delegates from countries such as France, Argentina, U.K., Italy, Singapore have confirmed participation. At least 350 delegates will be participating. UK researcher Dr Gerry Bodekar, an adviser on international policy on Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine), Dr Marc Cohen, Australia's foremost pioneer of complementary medicine who has made significant impact on education, research, clinical practice and policy are among foreign delegates who would address scientific sessions. An International Business Meet, being organised by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation will be inaugurated on 21st Feb by state Home minister Ramesh Chennithala.

The Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action (CISSA), Kerala Government and the Ayurveda fraternity of Kerala represented by various associations are organising the event.