Bhubaneswar, Jan 20: The traditional system of healthcare, particularly yoga, of India has been given so much focus by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that it has now bound the entire human society of the world together. 

Gracing as the chief guest at the Argus News 'Odisha Health Connect Season 2' conclave here, Union Ayush and Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said PM Modi has always emphasized a holistic health care system. 

The day he took oath as Prime Minister, Modi said he is not "Pradhan Mantri" but a 'Pradhan Sevak' of the country. 

"Now he has proved to be a Pradhan Sevak of Bharat. He has brought the entire human society together by promoting yoga globally. He has always focused on a holistic healthcare system," said Sonowal. 

He said Ayush services are now available at all levels of health institutions. Diseases are being diagnosed by both allopathic and Ayush doctors and a good treatment is being provided. 

"The Prime Minister has emphasized on Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) treatment. While he came to power the annual budget for the department was only Rs 79 crore, but now it has become an independent Ministry and the annual budget has swelled to a whopping Rs 1200 crore," said Sonowal. 

The Union Minister said the International Yoga Day, assented by the UN General Assembly on the proposal of Prime Minister

Narendra Modi, has become a joiner of human society. As many as 135 countries are celebrating the International Yoga Day. A whopping 24.4 crore people across the world participated in the International Yoga Day on June 21, 2023. 

"The countries in the east and west have been joined by yoga," he said. 

Stating that water is very important for the sustainance of life, Sonowal said the Prime Minister has also given importance on the development of a holistic health ecosystem. Ganga Rejuvenation is one of the major steps taken by the Narendra Modi government in this regard. 

Stating that the preservation of health and prevention of disease are equally important, the Union Minister thanked Argus authorities for holding programmes on health, agriculture and tourism for growth of Odisha. 

At the outset, Argus News Editor-in-Chief Sanjaya Kumar Jena welcomed the guests and expressed the objective of the health conclave. 

Among others, AIIMS Bhubaneswar President and eminent Cardiologist Dr Akshya Bisoi and AMRI Executive Director Dr Satyananda Mishra outlined issues concerning modern-day lifestyle and health systems and gave valuable suggestions.

A host of health experts and students belonging to Ayush departments joined the event.