**Executive Summary**
The 29th Convocation and Shishyopanayaniya Samskara Ceremony of Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth (RAV) was held at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) on March 11, 2026. The event celebrated the achievements of scholars in the Certificate of Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth (CRAV) programme and reinforced the Guru-Shishya tradition. Union Minister of State (I/C) for Ayush, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, addressed the gathering virtually, highlighting Ayurveda's global potential and the importance of traditional knowledge.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Event Details**
* The 29th Convocation and Shishyopanayaniya Samskara Ceremony of Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth (RAV) was conducted at Swatantrata Bhawan, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi.
* The ceremony acknowledged the accomplishments of scholars completing the Certificate of Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth (CRAV) programme.
* It also served to reaffirm the enduring Guru-Shishya tradition within Ayurveda.
* The event took place on March 11, 2026.
**Ministerial Address and Vision**
* Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (I/C) for Ayush, addressed the ceremony virtually as the Chief Guest.
* He emphasized that Ayurveda is a holistic knowledge system, not just a medical practice, offering comprehensive insights into health and life.
* The Minister highlighted the significance of the Guru-Shishya tradition in preserving and transmitting Ayurvedic wisdom across generations.
* He commended RAV's efforts in sustaining this tradition through structured programs like CRAV and MRAV, enabling young physicians to learn from experienced Vaidyas.
* Shri Jadhav acknowledged the growing global recognition of Ayush systems under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's leadership.
* He stated that the Ministry of Ayush is focused on strengthening education, research, and training in traditional medicine systems.
* He urged graduating scholars to integrate traditional knowledge with modern scientific research to make Ayurveda evidence-based and globally accepted.
* Emphasis was placed on the importance of compassion, ethics, and soft skills in medical practice.
**Ministry of Ayush Initiatives**
* Padma Shri Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, encouraged active engagement in research and scientific writing for strengthening the credibility and global acceptance of Ayush.
* The Ministry's initiatives include the development of the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) and the upgradation of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre.
**Institutional Contributions and Future Outlook**
* Vaidya Devendra Triguna, President of the Governing Body of RAV, expressed satisfaction with the institution's role in producing skilled Ayurvedic practitioners and noted the promising future of the Ayush sector.
* Dr. Vandana Siroha, Director of RAV, highlighted the institution's role in advanced training and preserving the Guru-Shishya lineage of Ayurveda.
* The event reaffirmed the Ministry of Ayush's commitment to advancing Ayurveda as a globally respected healthcare system.
**Awards and Recognition**
* Lifetime Achievement Awards were conferred upon individuals for their outstanding contributions to Ayurveda, including Vaidya Nirmala Sharma, Keval Krishna Thakral, and Girdhari Lal Mishra.
* Several scholars and practitioners were awarded Fellow of RAV.
**Impact Analysis**
**Graduating Scholars**
* **Impact:** They have completed a significant academic milestone and are now entering a new phase of responsibility in their careers. They are encouraged to bridge traditional knowledge with modern research and contribute to Ayurveda's global acceptance.
* **Action Required:** Integrate traditional knowledge with modern scientific research, contribute to evidence-based Ayurveda, and practice with compassion and ethics.
**Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth (RAV)**
* **Impact:** The institution is recognized for its role in sustaining the Guru-Shishya tradition and providing advanced training in Ayurveda. Its efforts in producing skilled practitioners are commended.
* **Action Required:** Continue to foster advanced training and preserve the Guru-Shishya lineage of Ayurveda, contributing to the global recognition of the discipline.
**Ministry of Ayush**
* **Impact:** The Ministry's commitment to strengthening Ayurveda and other traditional medicine systems is reaffirmed. Initiatives aimed at advancing research and global collaboration in traditional medicine are highlighted.
* **Action Required:** Continue to strengthen education, research, and training in recognized traditional medicine systems and advance research and global collaboration in traditional medicine through initiatives like AIIA and the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre.
**Ayurveda and Traditional Medicine Sector**
* **Impact:** The sector is experiencing growing reach and global recognition, with an increasing number of educational institutions dedicated to traditional medicine. There is a push towards making Ayurveda evidence-based and globally accepted.
* **Action Required:** Continue to promote and advance the practice, education, and research of Ayurveda and other traditional medicine systems to enhance their global standing and contribution to healthcare.
**Eminent Personalities and Scholars**
* **Impact:** Their contributions to Ayurveda have been recognized through Lifetime Achievement Awards and Fellowships of RAV, highlighting their significant roles in the field.
* **Action Required:** Continue to contribute to the advancement of Ayurveda through their expertise and experience.
Key Entities Referenced
Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth (RAV): An autonomous organization under the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, that organized the Convocation & Shishyopanayaniya Samskara Ceremony.
Ministry of Ayush: The government ministry responsible for Ayush systems, including Ayurveda, and its initiatives.
Certificate of Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth (CRAV) programme: A program under which scholars were trained, with achievements celebrated at the ceremony.
Banaras Hindu University (BHU): The location where the Convocation & Shishyopanayaniya Samskara Ceremony was held.
Shri Prataprao Jadhav: Union Minister of State (I/C) for Ayush, who addressed the gathering and highlighted the importance of Ayurveda and the Guru-Shishya tradition.
AYUSH
Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth holds 29th
Convocation & Shishyopanayaniya Samskara
Ceremony at BHU
Union Minister of State (I/C) for Ayush Shri Prataprao Jadhav
addresses the gathering virtually, highlights global potential
of Ayurveda and importance of Guru–Shishya tradition
Posted On: 11 MAR 2026 7:23PM by PIB Delhi
The 29th Convocation and Shishyopanayaniya Samskara Ceremony of Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth
(RAV), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, was held today at
Swatantrata Bhawan, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi. The ceremony celebrated the
achievements of scholars trained under the Certificate of Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth (CRAV)
programme and reaffirmed the enduring Guru–Shishya tradition of Ayurveda.
Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush and Minister of
State in the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, addressed the gathering through a
virtual message as the Chief Guest.
In his address, Shri Jadhav said it was a matter of great pride to address such an august gathering of
scholars in the sacred city of Kashi, the ancient seat of Ayurvedic knowledge and the land associated with
Dhanvantari Divodasa, regarded as the originator of surgical science in Ashtanga Ayurveda. He paid
tribute to Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, the founder of Banaras Hindu University, whose
vision made BHU one of the historic centres of Ayurveda education.
The Minister emphasised that Ayurveda is not merely a system of medicine but a holistic knowledge
system that offers comprehensive insights into health and life. He highlighted the significance of the
Guru–Shishya tradition, which has preserved and transmitted Ayurvedic wisdom across generations. He
noted that legendary figures such as Dhanvantari, Charaka, Sushruta, and Vagbhata emerged through this
tradition.
Shri Jadhav appreciated the efforts of Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth in sustaining this tradition by
enabling young physicians to learn directly from eminent and experienced Vaidyas through structured
programmes such as CRAV and MRAV. He also commended the leadership of Padma Bhushan awardee
Vaidya Devendra Triguna, President of the Governing Body of RAV, and Dr. Vandana Siroha, Director of
RAV, for strengthening Ayurveda education and training.
Highlighting the growing reach of Ayush systems under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra
Modi, the Minister said that Yoga and Ayush have gained global recognition and are increasingly
contributing to India’s healthcare diplomacy. He stated that the Ministry of Ayush is working to strengthen
education, research, and training in the recognised systems of traditional medicine—Ayurveda, Yoga,
Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, and Homoeopathy.Addressing the graduating scholars, Shri Jadhav said the convocation marked not just an academic
milestone but the beginning of a new responsibility. He urged them to integrate traditional knowledge with
modern scientific research and contribute to making Ayurveda evidence-based and globally accepted. He
also emphasised the importance of compassion, ethics, and soft skills in medical practice.
Padma Shri Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, congratulated the graduating scholars
and encouraged them to actively engage in research and scientific writing, stressing that evidence-based
studies are essential for strengthening the credibility and global acceptance of Ayush systems. He also
highlighted the Ministry’s initiatives, including the development of All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA)
institutions and the upgradation of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre, aimed at advancing
research and global collaboration in traditional medicine.
Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi, Vice Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University, emphasised the need for
students to maintain academic focus and dedication while contributing to the advancement of the Ayush
sector.
Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awardee Vaidya Devendra Triguna, President of the Governing Body of
RAV, expressed satisfaction that the institution has been fulfilling its vision of producing skilled Ayurvedic
practitioners. He noted that the future of the Ayush sector is promising, with increasing numbers of
colleges and universities dedicated to traditional medicine. He encouraged young practitioners to feel
proud of the title “Vaidya” and to contribute to the global recognition of Ayurveda.
Earlier, Dr. Vandana Siroha, Director of Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth, welcomed the dignitaries and
participants and highlighted the institution’s role in promoting advanced training and preserving the Guru–
Shishya lineage of Ayurveda.
The ceremony was attended by several distinguished dignitaries, including Dr. Manisha Upendra
Kothekar, Chairperson, National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM); Prof. S. N.
Sankhwar, Director, Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU; Prof. Amit Patra, Director, IIT (BHU); and Prof.
(Dr.) P. K. Goswami, Dean, Faculty of Ayurveda, BHU.
On the occasion, Lifetime Achievement Awards were conferred upon eminent personalities for their
outstanding contributions to Ayurveda, including Vaidya Nirmala Sharma, Keval Krishna Thakral, and
Girdhari Lal Mishra.
Several other distinguished scholars and practitioners who were also awarded with Fellow of RAV include
Vaidya Yogendra Kumar Sharma, Vaidya Dinesh Chandra Katoch, Vaidya Tanuja Manoj Nesri, Vaidya
Bhrigupati Pandey, Vaidya Murlidhar Sharma, Vaidya B. Srinivas Prasad, Vaidya Umesh Shukla, Vaidya
Milind Kulkarni, Vaidya P. K. Goswami, Vaidya M. Mohan Alva, Vaidya P. L. T. Girija, Vaidya Rama
Jaysundar, and Vaidya Vaidhnav Pradip U.
The event marked an important milestone in promoting traditional knowledge and reaffirmed the Ministry
of Ayush’s commitment to advancing Ayurveda as a globally respected healthcare system.***
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