Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurates the 9th Siddha Day celebrations in Chennai.

New Delhi, January 3, 2026: Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, on Saturday, inaugurated the 9^th Siddha Day celebrations at Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai, emphasizing the relevance of Siddha medicine as a comprehensive, preventive, and sustainable healthcare system in the contemporary world.

Addressing a distinguished gathering of policymakers, practitioners, academicians, scientists, and students, the Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan highlighted Siddha’s strong philosophical foundations, scientific depth, and holistic integration of body, mind, and nature.

He stated that India’s traditional medical systems—including Siddha, Ayurveda, Yoga, and other AYUSH disciplines—are not relics of the past but living traditions that continue to contribute significantly to the health and well-being of millions in India and across the globe.

Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan says Siddha medicine is the oldest medical history:

Describing Siddha medicine as one of the country’s oldest and most profound medical traditions, the Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan noted that it is rooted in knowledge accumulated over thousands of years and promotes harmony between the human body, the mind, and the natural environment.

Commending the exhibitions and presentations on ancient palm-leaf manuscripts, classical texts, and medicinal herbs, the Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan praised the efforts of scholars and institutions in preserving and rediscovering India’s traditional medical heritage.

He observed that due to historical neglect and inadequate documentation, many invaluable texts were at risk of deterioration or loss, underscoring the need for systematic collection, preservation, and scientific research to safeguard this knowledge for future generations.

Highlighting Siddha medicine’s emphasis on preventive care, lifestyle management, and treating diseases at their root, C. P. Radhakrishnan said its relevance has increased in today’s stress-driven and unhealthy lifestyles.

While acknowledging advances in modern medicine, particularly in diagnosis, he stressed that traditional systems like Siddha play a crucial role in long-term healing and restoring balance.

He urged practitioners to strengthen public confidence through responsible and evidence-based practice.

Encouraging young scholars and students, the Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan expressed confidence that sustained research in Siddha medicine could lead to major scientific breakthroughs, including potential cures for currently incurable diseases.

He called for adequate financial support for research scholars to enable the uninterrupted pursuit of advanced studies and expressed hope that future generations would bring global recognition to India’s traditional medical knowledge systems.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare; Ma Subramanian, Minister for Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu; senior officials from the Ministry of AYUSH and the Tamil Nadu government; and heads of Siddha institutions.

Growth of the traditional medicine system in the NDA government:

Speaking on the occasion, Prataprao Jadhav said that Siddha medicine reflects an advanced understanding of health, nature, and consciousness, making it highly relevant to modern holistic healthcare.

C. P. Radhakrishnan noted that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s traditional medicine systems have witnessed Transformative growth, particularly after the establishment of the Ministry of AYUSH in 2014.

The Minister highlighted key achievements in Siddha education and research, including infrastructure expansion at the National Institute of Siddha, technology-enabled and skill-oriented training programs, and strong research outcomes by the Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS).

 C. P. Radhakrishnan added that the inclusion of Siddha morbidity codes in the WHO ICD-11 and the forthcoming WHO International Standards Terminology for Siddha will firmly position Siddha on the global healthcare map.

He also referred to growing International collaborations, WHO-led initiatives, and academic exchanges, reaffirming the government’s commitment to making Siddha evidence-based, globally accepted, and accessible, while preserving its traditional integrity.

On the occasion, five eminent personalities were felicitated for their outstanding contributions to the Siddha system of medicine.

The awardees included Dr. B. Michael Jayaraj, Dr. T. Kannan Rajaram, late Dr. I. Sornamariammal, Dr. Mohana Raj, and Prof. Dr. V.Banumathi, whose lifelong service in research, manuscript preservation, education, and leadership has significantly strengthened Siddha medicine at the grassroots, academic, and national levels.

Held on the theme “ Siddha for Global Health,” the program brought together Siddha practitioners, scientists, academicians, scholars, and students from across the country.

The ceremony reaffirmed the Ministry of AYUSH’s commitment to promoting Siddha medicine through research, education, innovation, and global engagement, positioning it as an integral component of national and international healthcare systems.

Also Read: Nitish Kumar and NDA leaders welcome NDA’s vice presidential pick C.P. Radhakrishnan.

EOM.