Gorakhpur (UP) |President Droupadi Murmu, who inaugurated the Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath AYUSH University in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, stressed the role of traditional Indian healthcare systems and lifestyle in the nation's progress.
She said that if the public remain healthy, the dream of making India developed by 2047 can be realised.
"Today, India's voice is being heard across the world. But to sustain that momentum, every citizen must contribute. We say health is wealth. If we remain healthy, our dream of making India a Viksit Bharat and a Vishwaguru can be realised by 2047," Murmu said, adding that the AYUSH University will be a key medium in that journey.
Endorsing the traditional healthcare systems, the President said that people must adopt the Ayurvedic and nature-based lifestyle alongside the modern medicine. "It is important to follow our age-old traditions to maintain health, even after taking conventional medicine," she said.
Lauding the high-quality infrastructure at the newly inaugurated university built at a cost of Rs 268 crore in Pipri, Bhathat in Gorakhpur district, Murmu said that around 100 AYUSH colleges would benefit through affiliation with it.
She said the university will undertake education and research to align AYUSH practices with international standards and scientific credibility. "Special emphasis will be given on research to build trust and global acceptance of AYUSH systems," she said, thanking Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for his vision of the first such university in the state.
Acknowledging Prime Minister Narendra Modi's role in promoting yoga and endorsing its implementation in modern life, the President said, "To empower ourselves physically and mentally, we must practice yoga. If done regularly, yoga can reduce the need for eight hours of sleep to just three hours. Yoga may not be essential for those doing hard physical work, but it is a necessity for office-goers who do not perform physical activities." Murmu expressed confidence that Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath AYUSH University will become a confluence of tradition and modernity, and play a decisive role in enhancing the scientific credibility and global popularity of Indian traditional medicine systems.
"Such institutions will help AYUSH systems gain international acceptance and strengthen India's soft power in the world," she added.
Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Minister of State for AYUSH and Food Safety (Independent Charge) Dayashankar Mishra Dayalu, local MP Ravi Kishan Shukla, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Adityanath called the occasion the beginning of a "new era in health and culture" in the state.
In an X post earlier in the day, Adityanath said, "A new era of health and culture is beginning in Gorakhpur. In the sacred land of Mahayogi Guru Shri Gorakhnath ji, the inauguration of Uttar Pradesh's first AYUSH University in the august presence of President Droupadi Murmu marks the beginning of a new age in healthcare services." Expressing confidence in the university's future, he added, "Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this university will emerge as a beacon of Indian knowledge traditions, yoga, Ayurveda and holistic health, alongside being a centre of medical education." Adityanath, who is also the Peethadhishwar (head) of the Goraksha Peeth, a prominent seat of the Nath sect, highlighted the spiritual and service-oriented legacy of the region.
He said the university will become a dynamic centre of value-based innovation, skill-oriented research, and character-building.
"The sacred soil of Gorakhpur is now moving forward tirelessly towards the vision of a 'Developed India -- Developed Uttar Pradesh' as 'Aarogyadham-Gyanadham' (abode of health and knowledge)," he added.
