Embassy of India

Hungary and Bosnia & Herzegovina

Press Release

Celebration of Ayurveda Day 2020

Embassy of India, Budapest celebrated Ayurveda Day 2020 through a series of activities. In run up to the event on November 13, the Embassy organised an India- Hungary webinar on November 9 which brought together nearly 45 experts from India and Hungary who deliberated “significance on Ayurveda on covid 19 times.” Ambassador of India mentioned that Ayurveda focused on holistic health and Ayurveda medicines such as Fifatrol, Ayush Kwath etc. have shown tremendous immunity boosting benefits. He also highlighted that Hon’ble PM of India would dedicate to the Nation two National Institute of significance i.e. Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), Jamnagar and the National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur. A key note speech was given by Prof. Mahesh Vyas, Dean of All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, nominated by Ministry of Ayush, wherein he spoke of success Ayusuaraksha project for the 80,000 personnel of Delhi police and other measures of Ministry of Ayush including the National Clinical Management Protocol issued in the wake of covid 19. Dr. Iván Szalkai, Vice-President of Hungarian Integrative Medicine Society gave a brief overview of Ayurveda in Hungary and mentioned about a joint research paper brought out by the Hungarian doctors and researchers on the significance of Ayurveda on pre-hospitalisation treatment for covid 19 patients, which was published in a scientific journal in India. Two of his students gave presentation on efficacy of Ayurveda in the western world. Professor M. S. Baghel and Dr. Asmita Wele, former chairpersons (Ayurveda) of University of Debrecen, spoke on Ayurveda’s treatment benefits for covid 19 asymptomatic patients and certain Indian herbs and diets relevant for Hungarian palate.

A presentation from Brahma Ayurveda, Budapest and pre-recorded presentations from Ayush Info Cell of the Embassy and from other Ayush practitioners of homeopathy and Siddha and Yoga were also shown. An overview of expanding Ayurveda in global market, which is expected to touch USD 14.9 billion by 2020 growing at a CAGR of 16.14 % was highlighted during the webinar. The webinar ended with questions and answers and an acknowledgment of the fact that Ayurveda finds great resonance in Hungary as it has been successfully able to complement the modern system of medicine offering a solution in combating the pandemic.

Apart from the webinar, the Embassy also ran a quiz on Ayurveda in consultation with Ministry of Ayush, posted creatives on Ayurveda on its social media handles, organised live webcast of Ayurveda Day celebrations chaired by Hon’ble PM of India on November 13, and circulated audio-visual material on Ayurveda through its social media. The National Clinical Management Protocol issued by Ministry of Ayush was widely circulated in both Hungarian and Bosnian languages. India and Hungary have a sound framework for cooperation in traditional system of medicine including a cooperation agreement signed in 2013. The Ayurveda Day 2020 celebrations also provided a different perspective drawing from our ancient knowledge to the challenging times in which humankind find itself. Some photographs of the webinar are enclosed.