WAC 2024: Need to Rise Vigil Against Misinformation Regarding Ayurveda

DEHRADUN:
Stressing that media can act as a strong catalyst in disseminating the healing power of Ayurveda, experts at the 10th edition of the World Ayurveda Congress (WAC 2024) and Arogya Expo today called for stepping up vigil against misinformation and disinformation being spread on social media platforms.

Taking part in a session on ‘Media and Ayurveda’ at the December 12-15 event at Parade Ground here, the panellists suggested setting up a dedicated unified platform for journalists and scientists to put across the emerging trends in the sector.

They also made a strong case for regular interaction between the media and scientific community on exclusive platforms such as WAC 2024.

Dr Radhe Krishna, Senior Media Advisor, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, noted that a lot of misinformation is being spread regarding Ayurveda due to the advent of social media.

Dr Krishna said it is high time we set up a mechanism that leads to a comprehensive communication process between the media and Ayurveda stakeholders since the former decodes the ‘message’ for the public.

Dr Mohanan Kunnummal, Vice Chancellor of Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS) and University of Kerala, said a huge revolution is going to happen in Ayurveda with the intervention of science and it has to be showcased before the world.

Dr Jayashree B Keshav, Associate GM, Himalaya Wellness Company, spoke about how to leverage print and visual media along with podcast series and social media platforms to reach out to targeted audience.

Eashwar KP, Director, Academic and Development Communication Services (ADCS), who moderated the session, said Ayurveda sector needed a communication strategy to promote development goals by engaging people.

Jahnavi, Editor, The HealthSite.com and Dr D Ramanathan, MD, Sitaram Ayurveda, also took part.

With its focal theme ‘Digital Health, An Ayurveda Perspective’, the four-day event set the stage for in-depth deliberations on leveraging new technologies to more effectively deliver solutions and reconfigure R&D projects relating to Ayurveda.

The largest international conclave of Ayurvedic practitioners, researchers, administrators, diplomats, teachers and students, the biennial event is organised by the World Ayurveda Foundation (WAF), an initiative of Vijnana Bharati, Uttarakhand government and Ayush Ministry, Government of India.

More than 9000 participants took part in the event, which includes about 320 overseas delegates from 58 countries.