Port Blair(Sri Vijaya Puram): Ayurveda, nutrition and preventive healthcare took centre stage at an Ayush Health Mela organised at Ayush Hospital, Junglighat, on September 23 as part of Ayurveda Day 2026 and Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026.
Organised by the Ayush Wing of the Directorate of Health Services in collaboration with the Andaman & Nicobar State Ayush Society under the National Ayush Mission, the mela centred on the themes “Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow” and “Hamari Anganwadi, Hamari Jimmedari”, highlighting the role of traditional healthcare, balanced nutrition and healthy lifestyle practices in preventive health.
The programme was attended by Dr. Siddharaju, DHS, as chief guest; Sumathimol, Director, CRC, Brookshabad, as guest of honour; and Dr. Ajay Verma, MS, G.B. Pant Hospital, as special guest. The dignitaries and participants visited a mini exhibition showcasing Ayurveda, nutrition and wellness practices.
A range of activities sought to connect health awareness with practical lifestyle choices. Medicinal and spice saplings were distributed under the supervision of Dr. Suryakant Singh, MO (Ayur), while the Peripheral Pharmacovigilance Centre conducted awareness activities on medicine safety, rational drug use and objectionable advertisements.
The mela also featured recipe and poster-making competitions, besides a free comprehensive health screening camp offering Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Nutrition, Specialist, Gynaecological and Optometry services. In the Ayurveda Day Drawing/Poster Competition, Aaliya Fathima of Govt. Girls Sr. Sec. School secured first position in Category I (Classes VI–VIII), followed by B. Dharsini of Govt. Model Sr. Sec. School and Aditi of Govt. Middle School, Dignabad. In Category II (Classes IX–XII), Saanvee Kaligithi of St. Mary’s School, Bathu Basti, stood first, followed by Priya Pal of PM Shri GSSS, Prothrapur, and Banshary Roy Nandi of Don Bosco SSS, Chouldari.
The recipe competition among DBRAIT students saw M. Sathya and R.A. Manisha win first place, followed by B. Bala Krishna and E. Harika, and S. Jashan and Vivek Basare. Among Anganwadi workers, Santhi and Saidan Bibi secured first place, followed by Ramola and Neelam, and Banu Kumari and Jaya Mary.
Winners were felicitated and presented certificates by the dignitaries.
Welcoming the gathering, Dr. Manabika Dutta, MO (Homoeo), outlined the objectives of the event. In his keynote address, Dr. Kalyan P. Kadbhane, DD, Ayush, highlighted the significance of Ayurveda Day and Poshan Maah and said that month-long awareness and outreach activities were being conducted by Ayush units across the Islands.
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The mela thus brought together traditional healthcare, nutrition education, preventive screening and community awareness, underlining the Ayush approach of promoting health not merely through treatment, but through healthier everyday practices.
