Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 1 (ANI): Attending the inauguration of the Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath AYUSH University in Gorakhpur on Tuesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that Ayurveda and Unani are progressing under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Addressing the gathering, CM Yogi said, 'Today is a historic day for the entire region when the President has inaugurated Guru Gorakhnath AYUSH University. We all know that before 2014, India's healthcare service was not globally recognised. We are thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for combining Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Yoga and Naturopathy, and creating the AYUSH ministry in the country.'

'Ayurveda and Unani, which were lagging, are progressing today, and the state government will take them forward,' he added.

Discussing the AYUSH system and Indian medicine, he stated that the government plans to establish AYUSH Universities in six Commissionerates.

He said, 'If we talk about India's AYUSH system, Rasa Shastra was originated by Lord Gorakhnath Nath. We have six such Commissionerates in the state where the AYUSH system is not established; we will build AYUSH Universities there too.'

'We will establish the AYUSH system, which can give life to a person, so that we can move towards better health,' CM Yogi added.

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the AYUSH University on Tuesday in Gorakhpur.

According to a press release, the foundation of the AYUSH University was laid on August 28, 2021, by then-President Ram Nath Kovind following an invitation from CM Yogi Adityanath. The university is situated on 52 acres in Pipri, Bhathat, approximately 25 kilometres from the Gorakhpur district headquarters.

The university is affiliated with 98 AYUSH colleges across the state. These include 76 Ayurveda, 10 Unani and 12 Homoeopathy colleges. Before the university's formation, these colleges were overseen by separate institutions. With the establishment of Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath AYUSH University, regulation has been brought under a single system.

The university has been in operation since the 2021-22 academic session and currently conducts examinations and manages academic activities for the following programs: BAMS, MD, MS in Ayurveda; BUMS, MD, MS in Unani; and BHMS, MD in Homoeopathy.

The Chief Minister initiated the concept of the state's first AYUSH university after the central government grouped Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy under the AYUSH category.

Along with Ayurveda, Unani, and Homoeopathy, the university will also include disciplines like Yoga, Naturopathy, Siddha, and Sowa-Rigpa in the future. A plan is being prepared to initiate academic and treatment activities in these streams. (ANI)