Mbabane – The High Commission of India in Mbabane joined countries around the world in celebrating the 11th Ayurveda Day on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, with a call for greater awareness of preventive healthcare, traditional knowledge and healthier lifestyles.
The event, held under the theme “Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow,” brought together representatives from the World Health Organization, the University of Eswatini and other stakeholders to discuss the role of Ayurveda and traditional medicine in addressing contemporary health challenges.
India’s Chargé d’Affaires in Eswatini, Shri Ajay Kumar Sharma, spoke about the principles of Ayurveda and its potential contribution to preventive healthcare and wellness.
Addressing the gathering, Sharma said the theme represented more than a message for the annual celebration, describing it as a vision for the future and a reminder of the potential value of traditional knowledge alongside scientific innovation.
“DEN. Dlamini, WHO, Ms Dr Thabile Ndlovu, Senior Lecturer, UNESWA, and colleagues Sanibonani/ good morning and it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the 11th Ayurveda Day, being celebrated today, 23 September 2026, under the theme “Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow.” The theme is not merely a theme for today’s celebration. It is a vision for the future. It reminds us that some of the solutions to tomorrow’s health challenges may be found by looking both forward to scientific innovation and backward to the accumulated wisdom of traditional knowledge.”
Sharma described Ayurveda as India’s ancient system of holistic healthcare, saying it is based on maintaining balance between the body, mind, lifestyle and the environment.
“Ayurveda, India’s ancient system of holistic healthcare, is rooted in a simple yet profound principle: health is not merely the absence of disease; it is a state of balance and harmony between the body, mind, lifestyle and our environment.”
He explained that the word Ayurveda means the “science of life” and said the practice has traditionally focused on prevention, nutrition, physical activity, mental wellbeing and harmony with nature.
“The word Ayurveda itself means the “science of life.” For thousands of years, it has placed emphasis on prevention, healthy living, nutrition, physical activity, mental wellbeing and harmony with nature. This philosophy is particularly relevant today.”
The Indian diplomat pointed to lifestyle related diseases, stress, unhealthy dietary habits, sedentary lifestyles and pressure on healthcare systems as some of the challenges facing societies around the world.
He said growing international interest in preventive healthcare, wellness, healthy ageing and sustainable living had created opportunities for traditional knowledge to contribute to discussions about healthcare.
“The world is witnessing increasing challenges from lifestyle-related diseases, stress, unhealthy dietary habits, sedentary lifestyles and the growing burden on healthcare systems. At the same time, there is increasing global interest in preventive healthcare, wellness, healthy ageing and sustainable living.”
Sharma said Ayurveda could offer perspectives in addressing some of these challenges, while stressing that its international expansion should not be viewed as an attempt to replace other medical systems.
“Ayurveda offers valuable perspectives in addressing many of these challenges.”
“The internationalisation of Ayurveda is not about replacing one system of medicine with another. Rather, it is about exploring how traditional knowledge, modern science and preventive healthcare can complement each other for the benefit of humanity.”
He also linked the discussion to the longstanding relationship between India and Eswatini, pointing to cooperation between the two countries in healthcare, education, capacity building and human resource development.
“This brings me to the special relevance of Ayurveda in the context of India- Eswatini relations. India and Eswatini enjoy warm and friendly relations, characterised by cooperation in several areas, including healthcare, capacity building, education and human resource development.”
Sharma said there was scope for the two countries to explore cooperation in traditional medicine and wellness, noting similarities in their knowledge of medicinal plants, nutrition, natural resources and community based approaches to health and wellbeing.
“There is considerable potential to further explore cooperation in the area of traditional medicine and wellness. Both India and Eswatini possess rich traditions of knowledge relating to medicinal plants, nutrition, natural resources and community-based approaches to health and wellbeing.”
He said these shared areas of knowledge could provide a basis for cooperation in Ayurvedic education and training, research, medicinal plants, wellness practices, preventive healthcare and capacity building.
“This provides a natural foundation for Ayurvedic education and training, research, medicinal plants, wellness Ind would be happy to share its experience and expertise in areas such as practices, preventive healthcare and capacity building, in accordance with the priorities and regulations of Eswatini.”
Sharma further said improving public health required more than expanding hospital infrastructure, arguing that healthier communities also depended on lifestyle choices and greater public awareness.
“A healthier society cannot be created only by building more hospitals. It also requires people to adopt healthier lifestyles and communities to develop greater awareness of nutrition, physical activity, mental well being and disease prevention.”
The event also featured a presentation by Dr Thabile Ndlovu, a senior lecturer at the University of Eswatini, who discussed traditional medicine in Eswatini and the similarities between the traditional health practices of Eswatini and India.
Dr Swapnika Enagula delivered a presentation on the science of Ayurveda, explaining its principles and encouraging participants to understand their individual bodies and consider how Ayurvedic practices could be incorporated into their daily lives.
The programme ended with the presentation of tokens of appreciation to the speakers who participated in the Ayurveda Day celebration.
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