Arogya 2009, the comprehensive international health fair on Indian Systems of Medicines (ISM), organised by Department of Ayush in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), has begun in Mumbai.

The Mayor of Mumbai metropolis, Subha Raul inaugurated the three-day fair, which aims to showcase the strengths and potential of the ISM and the linkage between the industry and the authority. Celebrations planned for the inaugural function have been cancelled as a mark of respect to former president R Venkatraman who passed away recently. The fair is being organised for the first time in Mumbai.

The event will have lectures and exhibitions on the advantages and latest developments in the ISM segment and will exposure to the people in Mumbai about the potential of the system. Lectures will be organised for the graduates and post graduate students studying in the Ayurvedic colleges and for the professionals from the medical faculty. Almost 16 lectures will be conducted by the experts on the history and the treatment facilities in Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy, Yoga and Naturopathy.

Another 22 lectures for the Ayurveda treatment and medicine manufacturing will be conducted for 400 graduate and post graduate students from the Ayurveda colleges and professionals in the field.

Besides, eight clinics on various systems of Indian medicines for diagnosis and clinical advice are also open for the public for free of cost, according to the organisers. The event also has separate sections for exhibition of Ayurvedic medicines, medicinal plants and herbs and demonstration and sales of equipments used in the various systems of therapies.