**Executive Summary**
On March 22, 2026, Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan addressed the 81st Foundation Day of Nisargopachar Ashram in Pune to highlight the role of naturopathy and yoga in building a "Swasth Bharat." The address emphasized holistic health as a vital pillar for the vision of "Viksit Bharat" and the necessity of adopting lifestyles in harmony with nature. Key activities included the release of the book ‘Secrets of our Happiness’ and a call for national gratitude toward the founders of traditional healing institutions.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Philosophy and Vision of Naturopathy**
* The Nisargopachar Ashram is described as a movement and a way of life inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of simple, disciplined living.
* Nature is identified as the "greatest healer," with true health rooted in simplicity, discipline, and environmental harmony.
* Health is defined holistically as a state of complete physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, rather than merely the absence of disease.
**National Health and Development Goals**
* The goal of building a "Swasth Bharat" (Healthy India) is presented as an essential component of achieving a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India).
* Traditional systems of medicine, supported by AYUSH institutions, are recognized for their role in preventive healthcare and the growth of medical and wellness tourism.
* Yoga and naturopathy are positioned as powerful complements to modern medicine rather than mere alternatives.
**Addressing Modern Challenges**
* The message of the Ashram is deemed increasingly relevant due to the growing burden of lifestyle diseases in a fast-paced world.
* The Vice-President emphasized that individual health strengthens families, which in turn leads to a prosperous society and a rising nation.
**Commemorative Actions**
* The Vice-President released the book ‘Secrets of our Happiness’, authored by Dr. Narayan Hegde, Managing Trustee of the Ashram.
* Tributes were paid to Mahatma Gandhi, who conceptualized the Ashram, and Shri Manibhai Desai.
**Impact Analysis**
**General Public**
**Impact**
Citizens are encouraged to shift away from material-focused success toward a lifestyle centered on peace, balance, and harmony.
**Action Required**
Individuals should adopt balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, and mental peace practices to combat lifestyle diseases.
**AYUSH Institutions and Traditional Practitioners**
**Impact**
These stakeholders are recognized as key contributors to India’s deep civilisational wisdom and the global wellness economy.
**Action Required**
Institutions must continue to play a significant role in preventive healthcare and promoting India’s traditional wellness systems as invaluable global gifts.
**Nisargopachar Ashram**
**Impact**
The institution is validated as a central pillar in the national health mission and a custodian of Gandhian philosophy.
**Action Required**
The Ashram must continue its work as a movement for holistic healthcare to support the objective of building a "Swasth Bharat."
Key Entities Referenced
Nisargopachar Ashram, Uruli Kanchan, Pune: A naturopathy and yoga institution conceptualized by Mahatma Gandhi that serves as a center for holistic healthcare and traditional healing.
AYUSH: The framework of traditional Indian medicine systems recognized for its role in preventive healthcare, holistic well-being, and wellness tourism.
Swasth Bharat: A national initiative and goal focused on building a healthy India through the adoption of traditional wellness practices and balanced lifestyles.
Viksit Bharat: The overarching national vision for a developed India, under which the goal of holistic health and traditional medicine is integrated.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan
Addresses 81st Foundation Day of
Nisargopachar Ashram in Pune
Vice-President Highlights Role of Naturopathy and Yoga in
Building a Healthy India
Institutions Like Nisargopachar Ashram Key to Swasth
Bharat: Vice-President
Adopt Simplicity and Balance for True Happiness: Vice-
President
Posted On: 22 MAR 2026 3:38PM by PIB Delhi
The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, addressed the 81st Foundation Day celebrations of
Nisargopachar Ashram at Uruli Kanchan, Pune today.
Addressing the gathering, the Vice-President noted that both Mahatma Gandhi, who conceptualised the
Ashram, and the farmer who donated land for this noble cause deserve the nation’s gratitude. He described
the Ashram as not merely an institution, but a movement, a philosophy, and a way of life inspired by
Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of simple, disciplined living in harmony with nature.
The Vice-President said that Gandhiji believed nature to be the greatest healer and emphasised that true
health lies in simplicity, discipline, and living in harmony with nature.
Highlighting the growing burden of lifestyle diseases, the Vice-President said that the message of the
Ashram is more relevant today than ever before. He emphasised that health is not merely the absence of
disease, but a state of complete physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. He called upon people to adopt
balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, mental peace, and a lifestyle in tune with nature.
Recalling his tenure as the Governor of Jharkhand and Maharashtra, the Vice-President said that he had
the opportunity to closely observe the rich tradition of indigenous and natural healing practices among
tribal communities. He noted that these time-tested practices, rooted in nature and traditional knowledge,
reflect India’s deep civilisational wisdom in holistic healthcare.
The Vice-President noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India’s
traditional systems of medicine have gained renewed global recognition, with AYUSH institutions playing
an important role in preventive and holistic healthcare and contributing to the growth of medical and
wellness tourism in the country. He emphasised that Yoga and naturopathy are not alternatives but
powerful complements to modern medicine, and described India’s traditional wellness systems as
invaluable gifts to the world.The Vice-President said that in today’s fast-paced world, people often search for happiness in material
success, but true fulfilment comes from peace, balance, and harmony in life. He added that when
individuals are healthy, families become strong; when families are strong, society prospers; and when
society prospers, the nation rises.
The Vice-President emphasised that as India moves towards the vision of Viksit Bharat, the goal must also
be to build a Swasth Bharat, and institutions like Nisargopachar Ashram will play a significant role in
achieving this objective.
The Vice-President also paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and Shri Manibhai Desai at the Ashram
and released the book ‘Secrets of our Happiness’, authored by Dr. Narayan Hegde, Managing Trustee,
Nisargopachar Ashram, on the occasion.
The Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Jishnu Dev Varma; Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Shri Harivansh;
Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Smt. Sunetra Ajit Pawar; Deputy Chairperson of Maharashtra
Legislative Council, Dr. Neelam Gorhe; and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
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