'Uttarakhand has everything to become the leading global hub for wellness industry'

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'Uttarakhand has everything to become the leading global hub for wellness industry'
'Uttarakhand has everything to become the leading global hub for wellness industry'

Kochi : After the grand success of roadshow in Mumbai and Delhi,  Kochi joined the bandwagon of the ‘Uttarakhand Wellness Summit-2020’ roadshow series as there is a significant push given to the wellness sector.

The honourable Minister of AYUSH and AYUSH Education, Shri Harak Singh Rawat, Government of Uttarakhand, chaired the Wellness Summit Roadshow at  Kochi. Sharing the growth story of the abode of gods, the honourable minister talked extensively about the abundance of natural resources in the Himalayan ranges and potential for growth in the wellness industry. 

In his keynote speech, he highlighted efforts and initiatives made by the Government of Uttarakhand to attract the private investors and entrepreneurs and to augment private-sector projects & designate ' Wellness'as one of the prime focus sectors for funding and development. He said, “We are also encouraging development and upgradation of AYUSH healthcare infrastructure through private investments.”

He further said that the concept of a healthy lifestyle and complete wellness includes perfect physical, the mental and spiritual balance of the body.  “Better health over better treatment has been followed by a large chunk of millennial and elderly as well. Organic food has improved the lifestyle of people in India and this country is now the cynosure in wellness initiatives. The medicinal values of the Himalayan herbal products are acknowledged by the world as they are seeking ways to attain a healthy living, avoiding the modern allopathic system of medicine and embracing Indian lifestyle methods in routine. India has the distinction to be attributed as the world leader in terms of Ayurveda, Yoga, Meditation and Naturopathy. The state of Uttarakhand is now aspiring to become the global capital of Yoga in the world.”

The Confederation of Indian Industry, CII, is the official National Partner of the summit, along with the Knowledge Partner Ernst & Young.

He further emphasised that Uttarakhand will soon have its own ‘Organic Agriculture Act’ that will position it as the second state in India to have this Act and become a fully “Organic State”, after Sikkim, giving robust thrust to cultivating indigenous organic products. It will encourage the development of around 10,000 organic clusters in the Uttarakhand. As the Govt. of India has approved 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the food processing sector. It is to be noted that Uttarakhand is the first state in the country to come up with a policy to allow leasing of agricultural land for 30 years.

He stated, “To encourage investments in the wellness sector, the state conducted its inaugural Investors’ summit in October 2018 that saw footfalls of more than 4000 delegates, investors, entrepreneurs, industry experts, and academicians. The summit concluded with the signing of MoU / ITI of more than INR 1.2 lakh crores with more than 600 investors across various sectors. Dedicated sectoral policies under the ambit of ‘Uttarakhand AYUSH Policy 2018, Uttarakhand Tourism Policy 2018, Aroma Park Policy 2018, Mega Food Park Policy’  has been launched to support financial and non-financial incentives to investors and lays down the necessary guidelines for a holistic development of the wellness sector.

The Government of Uttarakhand is supportive to create an ecosystem in the industry in the years to come. Hon’ble Prime Minister of India has emphasized on the promotion and the development of ‘Spiritual Eco Zone’ in Uttarakhand.

Uttarakhand holds the distinction to be the centre of cultural and spiritual diversity that attracts tourists all over the world. With rich biodiversity, flora-fauna and is home to rare herbs and medicinal with more than 60% of its area covered with forests. In a recent roadshow held in Delhi, the government has set goals to position Uttarakhand as the global capital of Yoga as it has become the favourite tourist destination. Uttarakhand has also developed world-class ‘Integrated Industrial Estates’ through SIIDCUL (State Infrastructure & Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited).

Ms Manisha Panwar (Principal Secretary, Industries, Government of Uttarakhand), shared her insights via a presentation on the wellness summit. Mr L Fanai (DG & Commissioner, Industries, Government of Uttarakhand) delivered a presentation on the scope of ‘Uttarakhand Wellness Summit’. Dr S. Sajikumar (Former Chairman, CII, Kerala), Ms Sonika (Additional Secretary, Tourism, Uttarakhand Government) and Mr Sudhir Chandra  Nautiyal(Director, Industries Dept, Govt. of Uttarakhand) were also present at the summit.