A kind of alternative medicine Why does the Prime Minister of India promote the "Ayurveda" system?

One of the main goals of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is to revive Indians' pride in their culture, as Modi's party believes that much of India's "ancient wisdom" was destroyed by British colonialism, and later due to the neglect of the "Western" elite that ruled the country after independence.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged all countries of the world to recognize the traditional Indian medicine known as Ayurveda, amid calls by doctors to stop promoting the so-called medical system.

According to a report published by the British newspaper “ The Times ”, Modi said during his speech at the “Ayurveda Conference” held in the state of Goa, that he is satisfied that this alternative medicine has gained fame all over the world, saying: “I am happy that more than 30 countries have recognized Ayurveda as a system.” For alternative medicine...we must reach more countries through united efforts."

Many Indians prefer Ayurveda instead of visiting a doctor because they cannot afford the medical costs.

Ayurvedic alternative medicine relies on a "natural" approach to physical and mental health, incorporating plant-derived products and focusing on diet, exercise and lifestyle.

The Hindu nationalist Modi government regards Ayurveda as one of its "cultural achievements" and, moreover, the government set up a ministry to promote Ayurveda and alternative medicine in 2014.

During Modi's trip to Goa, he also inaugurated a new institute for alternative medicine research, as well as two virtual bodies in Delhi and Ghaziabad.

Since Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party won the general election in 2014, some of his ministers and supporters have made outlandish claims about Ayurveda. One supporter, businessman and yoga teacher Baba Ramdev, claims it can cure cancer and all sorts of other diseases.

"To save humanity, the world must return to yoga, Ayurveda, alternative medicine and Indian culture," Ramdev said last August.

Despite these controversial statements, Modi did not confirm Ramdev's statements, but rather tended to be more cautious, as he said during his stay in Goa, "The world has tried many methods of treatment and now it is returning to the ancient method of Ayurveda."

One of the main goals of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is to revive Indians' pride in their culture and heritage, as Modi's party believes that much of India's "ancient wisdom" was destroyed by British colonial rule, and later due to the neglect of the "Western" elite that ruled the country after independence.

On the other hand, the Indian Medical Association reiterated its opposition to some of the claims made by the ministers, including that Ayurveda can treat people with coronavirus.

Commenting on the ministers' claims, Subhash Arya, a retired pediatrician, said that while everyone should approach Ayurveda with an open mind, its regulation is vital.

And he added, "Like all medicines, Ayurvedic medicines, including tonics and nutritional supplements, must be rigorously tested and subject to quality control (...) and unsubstantiated allegations in advertisements and television must stop."

More recently, Moody has recognized the need for practitioners of this approach to provide evidence of the results of their treatments.