Arogya--2009, a national exhibition of Indian System of Medicines, especially ayurvedic products, will be held in Thrissur in Kerala from February 11- 15. The event, which will display the strength and benefits of the ISM products, is conducted by the Kerala chapter of the Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturers Organisation of India (AMMOI).

The Union Government's Department of Ayush and Oushadhi, the state government controlled ayurvedic medicine manufacturing company, are the co-organizers of the five day exhibition which includes more than 300 stalls from across the country, said D Ramanathan, general secretary of AMMOI.

The exhibition, which is conducted as part of the expansion and quality improvement drive by the 600 crore organized Ayurveda industry in the state, is the first ever display in the state of a variety of traditional drugs manufactured in the country.

Apart from displaying the strength and potential of traditional systems, the fair will also showcase the research and development efforts in this field. According to Dr T Sivadas, the drugs controller for ISM in the state, free consultation by ISM specialists, yoga demonstration, business and public lecture sessions will also be held at the expo. He said the fair is intended to attract all major stakeholders such as health care product manufacturers, retailers, medical practitioners and publishers of articles on these systems of medicine.

It is hoped that the exhibition will help to project the future trends and requirements in this sector and generate awareness among all sections on these systems of medicine.

Medicines, food supplements, medicinal plants and various forms of therapies will be displayed in separate stalls.

State health minister P K Sreemathy will inaugurate the expo on the first day evening and MLA Therambil Ramakrishnan will preside over. Six ayurvedic physicians of eminence in the state will be felicitated in the function. A souvenir will be released by B Anand, joint secretary of Ayush.