CHANDIGARH: With a sole objective of promoting Ayurvedic systems of medicines and generate awareness amongst the people of the state of Punjab about this ancient system, a four-day long 'AROGYA MELA' organized in unison with the health department Punjab and FICCI ,was concluded late Tuesday evening at Amritsar.

This first ever comprehensive health fair in the state evoked extensive response not only from the people of Punjab but also from the neighboring states. Various new researches and on-going projects of Ayurveda were discussed on one platform.

Speaking at the concluding day of the health fair, Prof.Lakshmi Kanta Chawla, Health and Family Welfare Minister Punjab said that concerted efforts were being made to create awareness among the people about the efficacy of the AYUSH systems, its cost effectiveness and the availability of herbs used for prevention of and treatment of common ailments at peoples' doorsteps through various channels including the production of audio-visual educational material to achieve the objective of "health for all".

The Minister also said that more than 6 thousand patients have been examined by a team of qualified and competent doctors from both Delhi and Punjab during this four-day long health fair. Ayurvedic and Homeopathy medicines worth Rs.60, 000 have also been distributed amongst the patients, she said.

A disciple and representative of Swami Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishan explained at length the importance of yogic exercises to keep human body free from any kinds of diseases. Adding further, she said that the Punjab Health department has started in-house manufacturing facility of Ayurvedic drugs at Patiala Pharmacy to provide genuine and unadulterated drugs to the patients manufactured from medicinal plants and herbs under scientific supervision. Raw material worth Rs. 1 crore has already been purchased for manufacturing of drugs.

She also said that an unique herbal garden was being set up in 7 acres of land in Zirakpur where all kinds of herbs and medicinal trees would be grown.  First Ayurveda University was also coming up in Hoshiarpur, she said.

Besides the Vigilance wing of the Department has been strengthened to check the production and sale of spurious Ayurvedic drugs in the State. Seeking the cooperation of general public, the Minister said that they should in confidence give information about any units manufacturing spurious drugs in their vicinity.