Sowa-Rigpa Must Emerge as a Globally Recognised Evidence-Based Healthcare System: Union Minister Shri Prataprao Jadhav

Key Highlights:

• Union Minister Shri Prataprao Jadhav chaired the 2nd Governing Body Meeting of the National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa (NISR) in New Delhi.
• The meeting outlined a strategic roadmap to establish Sowa-Rigpa as a globally recognized, evidence-based healthcare system.
• Focus areas include strengthening scientific research, promoting international standards, and expanding Sowa-Rigpa's reach across the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR).
• Key initiatives proposed include establishing an independent research council and digitizing/translating Bhoti language manuscripts.
• Dr. Padma Gurmet, Director of NISR, was congratulated for being conferred the Padma Shri in 2026 for his contributions to Sowa-Rigpa.

Detailed Insights:

• The goal is to move beyond infrastructure development to integrate traditional wisdom with scientific excellence through evidence-based research.
• NISR is envisioned as the custodian of the medical heritage for the entire Indian Himalayan Region.
• Emphasis is placed on sustainable cultivation of rare medicinal plants, bio-prospecting, agroforestry, and conservation of medicinal biodiversity.
• Digitisation and translation of Bhoti manuscripts are crucial for preserving and making this rich knowledge accessible to researchers and the public.
• The Ministry of Ayush is committed to supporting NISR in building strong institutions and advancing traditional medical knowledge.
• Sowa-Rigpa, meaning "Knowledge of Healing," is one of the world's oldest traditional medicine systems, recognized under the Ayush framework.
• It is also known as the Amchi system of medicine and is practiced across the Indian Himalayan Region and neighboring countries.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Sowa-Rigpa: An ancient traditional system of medicine, meaning "Knowledge of Healing," recognized by the Government of India under the Ayush framework.
• Ayush: Acronym for Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy, representing India's traditional and alternative systems of medicine.
• Indian Himalayan Region (IHR): The geographical area spanning the Indian Himalayas, where Sowa-Rigpa is traditionally practiced and has flourished.