Global Ayurveda Fest 2023 in Kerala capital set to be the largest Ayurveda Academic meet: Union Minister Muraleedharan

2000+ papers to be presented at Dec 1-5 event

Trivandrum / November 6, 2023

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov. 06: The 5th Global Ayurveda Fest (GAF 2023), to be held here from December 1 to 5, is set to be a path-breaking event that will shape the future of Ayurveda, bringing together a diverse range of experts and enthusiasts from across the globe, Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri V Muraleedharan, told a press conference here on Monday.

The focal theme of the GAF 2023, to be held at the Greenfield International Stadium in the city, is “Emerging Challenges in Healthcare & A Resurgent Ayurveda.

The biennial event is being organized by the Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action (CISSA), in association with Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, Government of Kerala, and Ayurveda fraternity represented by AMAI, AMMOI, AHMA, KISMA, ADMA, Viswa Ayurveda Parishad and 14 other Ayurveda Associations. GAF 2023 is set to be the largest event in India's Ayurveda sector.

“With a staggering 2,500 abstract submissions, the flagship event has set a new record by approving 1,000 scientific papers for oral presentation and 1000+ poster presentations, covering over 60 topics, which will take place across 16 venues, all in parallel,” Shri Muraleedharan, who is the chairman of the organising committee for GAF 2023,  said.

The Minister said these presentations will cover an array of topics that revolve around the focal theme along with various sub-themes.

Shri Muraleedharan said that representatives from various countries, including health ministers, ambassadors and senior bureaucrats will take part in GAF, which will explore the role of Ayurveda in cancer treatment and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

More than 200 speakers, over 25 of them are distinguished experts from different countries, will attend the event.

Dr G G Gangadharan, Working Chairman, GAF and President of CISSA, said the expo at GAF will be the first-of-its-kind in the country and a footfall of around 2.5 lakh are expected at the event. 

Dr C Suresh Kumar, Secretary General, GAF; Dr V G Udayakumar, General Convenor, GAF; Dr C D Leena, State President, Ayurveda Medical Association of India; Dr Durga Prasad, State General Secretary, Ayurveda Government Medical Officers Federation; Dr Seby, State General Secretary, Ayurveda Government Medical Officers Association and Dr Smitha M V, General Secretary, Private Ayurveda College Teachers Association, were also present.      

Eminent medical experts, including Dr. Jun Mao, Chief of Integrative Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (USA);Dr. Santhoshi Narayan, Associate Professor at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Dr.Sandra Szymanski, Chief Neurologist & HOD Dept. of Neurology and Complementary Medicine, Evangelical Hospital, Germany; Dr. Antonio Morandi, Neurologist, Chairman & Director, Ayurvedic Point, Italy; Dr. John  Porter, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine | LSHTM · Clinical Research and Global Health and Development; Prof. Valdis Pirags, Faculty of Ayurveda, University of Latvia; and Prof. Thomas Rampp, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, will address various sessions.

The event promises a wide array of parallel events, including 13 plenary sessions that delve into diverse topics such as pandemic of degenerative and neurological diseases, drug development for new millennium, new practises in Ayurvedic surgery, environmental Ayurveda, integrated interventions in oncology, antimicrobial resistance, developmental disorders in children and many more. 

Several high-profile speakers from India, including vice chancellors of universities, directors of renowned institutions, professors, research heads, clinicians, pharmacologists, microbiologists, botanists, veterinarians and policymakers, are attending the event. The satellite seminars topics in Mrigayurveda, Vrikshayurveda and Ayurveda Biology will also be held.

The GAF has 23 international partners, who will share the current status of Ayurveda in their respective regions. 

The B2B Meet of GAF 2023 will have two critical categories – Products and Services, with the former featuring all major manufacturing companies of the country while the latter features participation of 150 tour operators and travel agents from wellness and medical tourism as buyers.

The National Arogya Fair at the conclave will bring together all the key players in the Ayurveda sector. A major highlight of the Arogya Expo is the 500 stalls of businesses, organisations, Ayush colleges and other institutions from across the country.

The “Ayurveda Aahar”, prepared by nutrition experts, will give attendees the opportunity to taste and appreciate the flavours of Ayurveda.

Arya Vaidya Pharmacy Coimbatore is the main sponsor of the event, and other major sponsors include Hindustan Unilever, Vaidyaratnam, Somatheeram and Bharat Petroleum.

For further information and registration details, visit: www.gafindia.org.