Shillong, September 18, 2025: The State Level Arogya Fair 2025 was held today by the Health & Family Welfare Department in collaboration with the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India and National AYUSH Mission, Meghalaya, under the theme “Prevent, promote & preserve – The AYUSH approach”. The fair aimed to promote AYUSH treatment and extend necessary support to the traditional system of medicine.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Wailadmiki Shylla, Hon’ble Minister, Health & Family Welfare, who recently took charge of the department, urged the citizens of the state to adopt a healthy lifestyle and make wellness a priority.
He said, “I urge all of you to work together and today, I hope is a good start. Health is the foundation of a every society, a strong and prosperous state can only be built on the pillars of physical, mental, and social well-being of its people. Today, through the Arogya fair, we are not only highlighting modern medical advancement but also celebrating the wisdom of our traditional system of healing, Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy, and Naturopathy. These systems have stood the test of time and continue to offer holistic solutions for preventive, and curative healthcare.”
Hon’ble Minister added, “As we gather here, let us remind ourselves that the responsibility of improving health does not lie with the government alone. It is a shared duty of policy makers, health workers, community, and each individual. If we work hand in hand combining traditional knowledge with modern practices, we can build a healthcare system that is not only accessible and affordable but also sustainable, and inclusive.”
He further added, “Let this Arogya fair be more than just an event, it should mark the beginning of renewed commitment, where government practitioners and people come together as partners in health.”
The Minister also urged medical experts to continue reaching out to people at the grassroots level and called upon the youth to take interest in healthy living and preventive care.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Joram Beda, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, highlighted the scale of the programme, noting that the State Level Arogya Fair is one of the largest events ever organized by the National AYUSH Mission in Meghalaya. He said, “This is a programme in collaboration with the Ministry of AYUSH, our partner is CCRH (Central Council for Research in Homeopathy) and we have divided the responsibilities amongst ourselves. We cannot underscore the importance of AYUSH, given today, the disease burden of non-communicable diseases is at its heights. It has broken all kinds of and there is a very strong case for AYUSH stream of medicine to be part of the mainstream treatment protocols.”
Adding to the discussion, Dr Sunita Kharmawphlang, Ayurvedic Physician, stressed on the global challenges posed by non-communicable diseases and the role AYUSH can play in addressing them. She said, “If AYUSH can be a tool toward prevention, that will reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases. If we have proper advocacy, then we can promote our system at the grassroots level.”
The fair also hosted technical sessions on Ayurveda for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiovascular health, along with a combined session for Ayurveda and Homeopathy.
Dignitaries present on the occasion included Shri Wailadmiki Shylla, Hon’ble Minister, Health & Family Welfare; Dr Joram Beda, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department; Dr J.S. Momin, Director of Health Services (MI), Government of Meghalaya; and Dr Bisolin Dhar, State Nodal Officer (AYUSH) and Organising Secretary of the State Level Arogya Fair 2025.
