Losing Goa
For decades, Goa occupied a singular place in the global imagination. It was not merely a beach destination, but a cultural mood ~ inexpensive, unhurried, and faintly detached from the commercial anxieties of modern tourism.
National Ayurveda Day celebrations in Goa on Tuesday saw the inauguration of new facilities at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), including an Integrative Oncology Unit developed in collaboration with Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai.
Officials said the unit will offer cancer care that combines traditional medicine with modern oncology. A tripartite MoU was also signed between the Government of Goa, Tata Memorial Centre, and AIIA Goa to formalise the collaboration. Other agreements focused on academic exchanges, joint research, and partnerships with institutions in India and abroad to advance integrative medicine.
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Addressing the gathering, Goa Governor Ashok Gajapathi Raju spoke of the state’s potential to position itself as a hub for Ayurveda-based wellness tourism. He called for the preservation of local medicinal plants and urged scientific validation of Ayurvedic therapies.
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Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said Ayurveda could play a role in addressing lifestyle-related disorders such as obesity, diabetes and stress. He highlighted the importance of research and conservation of medicinal plants found in the Western Ghats and coastal ecosystems, which are referenced in classical Ayurvedic texts.
Sawant added that the collaboration between AIIA and Tata Memorial Centre was a step towards integrating traditional and modern systems of care.
The event also witnessed the distribution of this year’s National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards which were won by Prof Bamwari Lal Gaur, Vd Neelakanthan Mooss E T, and Vd Bhavana Prasher for contributions to Ayurveda and allied sciences.
A nationwide health assessment campaign and digital platform for herbal substances, DRAVYA portal, were also launched during the inauguration ceremony.
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