New Delhi [India], May 22: Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar has called for a renewed focus on alternative medicine and the scientific validation of India’s ancient knowledge systems to address modern challenges. Speaking at an event at Raj Bhavan, Goa, Dhankhar urged institutions to bring ancient wisdom out of libraries and into active research and innovation.
“We are a nation with a difference… Let us not confine our ancient texts to library shelves. They are meant to be brought to life through evidence-based research, innovation, and reinterpretation,” said Dhankhar. He stressed the importance of digitisation, translation, and cross-disciplinary studies to make this knowledge accessible and impactful in today’s context.
The Vice-President lauded the World Health Organization’s Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, Gujarat, calling it a “powerful recognition” of India’s traditional medical systems like Ayurveda.
Referring to India’s civilizational depth, he highlighted ancient texts such as the Vedas, Upanishads, and Puranas, urging that children be taught about these foundational pillars from an early age.
Dhankhar also commissioned statues of Charaka and Sushruta, key figures in the history of medicine and surgery. “Charaka, known as the father of medicine, and Sushruta, the father of surgery, were pioneers whose works reflected scientific excellence and deep medical insight,” he noted. “Let their lives be a source of inspiration for our youth.”
He criticized a prevailing mindset that views ancient Indian knowledge as regressive. “This trait has no place in modern India. The world is learning from us. It is time we believe in the power of Indic wisdom ourselves,” he asserted.
Recalling legendary figures such as Dhanvantari, Jivaka (physician to Buddha), Aryabhatta, Bodhayan, and Varahamihira, Dhankhar emphasized their monumental contributions to medicine, surgery, astronomy, and mathematics. He praised the profound scientific approach embedded in ancient texts, citing Sushruta’s emphasis on hygiene, training, and patient care as examples of early scientific rigor.
Highlighting India’s past excellence in medical procedures, he said, “Long before modern hospitals, our ancients documented over 300 surgical procedures, including plastic surgery and caesarean delivery. This was a civilizational achievement.”