The proposal for establishing new Ayurveda colleges in Srinagar and Jammu is a timely and meaningful demand that deserves serious administrative attention. It is not merely a request for adding two more institutions to the educational map of Jammu and Kashmir. It is a call to strengthen traditional medical education, expand healthcare choices and utilize the Union Territory’s natural and cultural strengths for the larger public good. The representation submitted to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha by the delegation led by Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awardee Vaidya Devendra Triguna, President of the Governing Body of Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth, has placed before the administration an opportunity that should not be ignored or delayed.
Ayurveda is one of India’s oldest and most respected systems of medicine. Its strength lies in preventive care, natural healing, disciplined lifestyle, holistic wellness and the treatment of the human body as a balanced system rather than a collection of symptoms. In the modern age, when lifestyle diseases, stress, chronic illnesses and immunity-related concerns are increasing, Ayurveda can offer valuable support to the broader healthcare system. It is not a question of replacing modern medicine. It is a question of expanding healthcare capacity through an integrated and responsible approach. Jammu and Kashmir has every reason to develop strong Ayurveda institutions. The region has rich biodiversity, a long tradition of herbal knowledge, diverse climatic conditions and tremendous potential for medicinal plant research. Yet this potential remains underutilized. If the Union Territory can build medical colleges, universities, nursing institutions and professional centres in other fields, there is no reason why Ayurveda education should remain neglected. Establishing Ayurveda colleges in both Srinagar and Jammu would ensure regional balance and provide equal academic opportunity to students from both divisions. The need is even greater because many students interested in Ayurveda and AYUSH-based medical education have to move outside Jammu and Kashmir to pursue their studies. This creates financial burden on families and deprives the region of a trained local workforce in traditional medicine. New Ayurveda colleges would help create doctors, researchers, pharmacists, therapists and wellness professionals who can serve within the Union Territory and beyond. They would also generate employment, promote academic activity and strengthen the healthcare ecosystem at the grassroots level. The administration must understand that Ayurveda colleges should not be treated as symbolic projects. If approved, they must be developed as institutions of quality and credibility. They should have proper faculty, hospital facilities, herbal gardens, laboratories, research wings, digital learning systems and collaboration with existing healthcare institutions. Half-hearted implementation would only damage the purpose. Jammu and Kashmir needs centres of excellence, not buildings without academic depth. The vision must be clear, the planning must be serious and the execution must be disciplined. The proposed colleges can also play a major role in region-specific research. The forests, mountains and valleys of Jammu and Kashmir are home to several medicinal plants and traditional healing practices. With proper scientific documentation and ethical research, this knowledge can be preserved and developed for the benefit of society. Ayurveda institutions can support studies in preventive healthcare, chronic disease management, geriatric care, mental well-being, nutrition, lifestyle correction and medicinal plant conservation. This would connect traditional wisdom with modern research standards. There is also a public health dimension that cannot be overlooked. Many people, especially in rural and remote areas, continue to have faith in traditional systems of healing. A stronger AYUSH network can improve access to affordable and preventive healthcare. However, this requires trained practitioners, proper regulation and institutional support. Without colleges and research centres, Ayurveda cannot be expanded in a scientific and organized manner. The national focus on AYUSH and traditional systems of medicine has created a favourable policy environment. Jammu and Kashmir must not miss this opportunity. The administration should move beyond routine assurances and examine the proposal with urgency. Land, funding, regulatory approval, faculty recruitment, hospital attachment and academic planning should be worked out through a time-bound roadmap.
The establishment of Ayurveda colleges in Srinagar and Jammu can become a landmark step in preserving heritage, promoting education, strengthening healthcare and creating new opportunities for youth. This is not a demand to be placed in files and forgotten. It is a proposal with long-term value. If implemented with sincerity, it can help Jammu and Kashmir emerge as a respected centre of Ayurveda education, research and holistic wellness.