President Inaugurates ‘Saushrutam 2026’, Calls for Stronger Integration of Ayurveda and Modern Science

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday inaugurated Saushrutam 2026, a three-day international seminar on Ayurvedic surgery, at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi, calling for greater integration of traditional knowledge with modern science to strengthen evidence-based Ayurveda.

Organised by the AIIA under the Ministry of Ayush on the occasion of Sushruta Jayanti, the seminar has brought together surgeons, researchers, academicians and policymakers from India and eight other countries to discuss advancements in Ayurvedic surgical sciences.

During the event, the President inaugurated an AI-enabled 3 Tesla High-Field MRI facility at AIIA and witnessed the release of a National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) study titled Evaluation of Professional Career of Ayurveda Female Graduates – An Observational Exploratory Study.

Addressing the gathering, the President described Acharya Sushruta as a pioneer whose contributions laid the foundation for scientific surgical practices. She said Ayurveda’s holistic approach to healthcare continues to remain relevant and stressed the importance of preserving biodiversity to ensure the sustainable availability of medicinal plants.

She also emphasised the need to scientifically validate traditional knowledge while integrating it with advanced technologies, modern diagnostics and research to enhance the credibility and global acceptance of Ayurveda.

Highlighting the role of women in the healthcare sector, Murmu called for greater participation of women in the Ayurveda workforce and urged stakeholders to address challenges that hinder their long-term professional growth.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu said India’s civilisational strength is rooted in its rich knowledge traditions, with Ayurveda being one of its most enduring contributions. He noted that healthcare systems worldwide are increasingly recognising preventive and holistic approaches alongside conventional medicine and underscored the need for stronger scientific research and international collaboration to expand Ayurveda’s global acceptance.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav said Ayurveda has gained renewed global recognition under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said Saushrutam 2026 provides an important platform for promoting excellence in Ayurvedic surgery while strengthening international cooperation.

Referring to the NCISM study, Jadhav highlighted the challenges faced by women Ayurveda graduates in career advancement and called for policy measures and institutional support to improve their participation in leadership, research and clinical practice.

Welcoming the delegates, AIIA Director Prof. (Vd.) P. K. Prajapati said the seminar marks an important step towards integrating classical Ayurvedic surgical knowledge with modern scientific advancements. He expressed confidence that the event would strengthen academic collaboration, promote quality research and improve clinical excellence in Ayurvedic surgery.

According to the institute, the newly inaugurated AI-enabled 3 Tesla MRI facility will enhance diagnostic capabilities, support integrative research between Ayurveda and modern medicine, and provide advanced yet affordable imaging services to patients.

The three-day seminar has attracted experts from Thailand, Israel, Austria, the United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Nepal and Greece, in addition to India. The programme includes keynote lectures, panel discussions, workshops and technical sessions covering areas such as Shalya Tantra, Kshara Sutra, Agnikarma, reconstructive surgery, integrative oncology and other emerging fields of Ayurvedic research.

The organisers said Saushrutam 2026 aims to promote evidence-based research, encourage innovation and strengthen internation

Source: PIB