The Vice President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, today inaugurated the 9th Siddha Day celebrations at Kalaivanar Arangam, Chennai, underscoring the relevance of Siddha medicine as a comprehensive, preventive and sustainable healthcare system in the contemporary world. Addressing a distinguished gathering of policymakers, practitioners, academicians and students, he highlighted Siddha’s strong philosophical foundations, scientific depth, and its holistic integration of body, mind and nature.

In his address, the Vice President stated that India’s traditional systems of medicine, including Siddha, Ayurveda, Yoga and other AYUSH disciplines, are not relics of the past but living traditions that continue to contribute significantly to the health and well-being of millions in India and across the globe. He noted that Siddha medicine is among the country’s most ancient and profound medical traditions, rooted in knowledge accumulated over thousands of years, and emphasized its holistic approach that promotes harmony between body, mind and the natural environment.

Appreciating the exhibition and presentations on ancient palm-leaf manuscripts, classical texts and medicinal herbs, the Vice President lauded the extraordinary efforts of scholars and institutions in preserving and rediscovering India’s traditional medical heritage. He observed that due to historical neglect and inadequate documentation, many invaluable texts were at risk of dilution or loss, and stressed the need for sustained efforts in systematic collection, conservation and research to safeguard this knowledge for future generations.

The Vice President further highlighted Siddha medicine’s emphasis on preventive care, lifestyle management and addressing diseases at their root cause, noting its growing relevance in today’s fast-paced lifestyle marked by stress and unhealthy habits. While acknowledging the advances made by modern medicine in diagnostics, he emphasized that traditional systems such as Siddha play a crucial role in long-term healing and restoring balance, and called upon practitioners to strengthen public confidence through responsible and evidence-based practice.

Encouraging young scholars and students, the Vice President expressed confidence that sustained research in Siddha medicine could lead to major scientific breakthroughs, including permanent cures for presently incurable diseases. He urged that research scholars be extended all possible financial support to enable uninterrupted pursuit of advanced studies, and expressed hope that future generations of researchers would bring global recognition to India’s traditional medical knowledge systems.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush and Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India; Shri Ma. Subramanian, Minister for Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu; senior officials from the Ministry of Ayush and the Government of Tamil Nadu; and heads of Siddha institutions.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated that Siddha medicine embodies an advanced understanding of health, nature, and consciousness, making it highly relevant to modern holistic healthcare. He highlighted that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India’s traditional systems of medicine have witnessed transformative growth, particularly after the establishment of the Ministry of Ayush in 2014.

The Minister emphasized major milestones achieved in Siddha education and research, including infrastructure expansion at the National Institute of Siddha, skill-oriented and technology-enabled training programmes, and strong research outputs by the Central Council for Research in Siddha. He noted that the inclusion of Siddha Morbidity Codes in WHO ICD-11 and the forthcoming WHO international standard terminologies would firmly place Siddha on the global healthcare map.

Highlighting global outreach, the Minister referred to international collaborations, WHO-led initiatives, and academic exchanges that have enhanced Siddha’s global footprint. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to making Siddha evidence-based, globally acknowledged, and accessible to all, while preserving its classical integrity.

On this occasion, five eminent personalities were felicitated for their extraordinary and commendable contributions to the Siddha system of medicine. The awardees included Dr. B. Michael Jeyaraj, Dr. T. Kannan Rajaram, Late Dr. I. Sornamariammal, Dr. Mohana Raj, and Prof. Dr. V. Banumathi, whose lifelong service, research, manuscript preservation, education, and leadership have significantly strengthened Siddha medicine at grassroots, academic, and national levels.

The event, themed “Siddha for Global Health,” brought together Siddha practitioners, scientists, academicians, scholars, and students from across the country. The celebration reaffirmed the Ministry of Ayush’s commitment to promoting Siddha medicine through research, education, innovation, and global engagement, positioning it as an integral component of national and international health systems.

***

SR/GS/SG