The Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), is organising a two-day BRICS Wellness Workshop at Bengaluru on September 10-11, 2016 to promote cooperation in traditional medicine among BRICS nations. Simultaneously, the ministry is also organising a four-day Arogya Fair, a comprehensive health and wellness fair showcasing strengths of traditional systems/wellness sector in India as well as other BRICS partner countries during 10-13 September 2016.

Secretary level officers and traditional medicine/wellness experts from the BRICS countries will participate in the BRICS Wellness Workshop.

The event is significant as traditional medicine has assumed an important role in contemporary community health care due to its health promotive, disease preventive, curative, rehabilitative and rejuvenation properties. The workshop has been organised to promote partnerships with BRICS nations, have knowledge sharing and push forward Ayush initiatives in these countries which will further help in globalization of Ayush.

The workshop is designed to have sessions related to traditional systems of medicine, trade and economy, wellness and sustainable development goals (SDGs), wellness indicators for BRICS, wellness and tourism among others. It will also include a session on WHO strategy for traditional medicine. The Arogya Fair to be organised simultaneously at Palace Grounds, Bengaluru will provide a good exposure for manufacturers/importers of traditional medicines/raw materials of the BRICS countries to have first hand experience of Indian traditional medicinal products/manufacturing facilities. At the same time they will have the opportunity to showcase their products and services.

Prior to the two-day workshop, site visits to traditional medicine institute/facilities for the delegates from the BRICS countries were also organised to provide on site exposure to the delegates. Yoga workshops and Ayurveda consultations with experts are also being organised for interested delegates from 9-12 September 2016.