TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Union minister Shripad Naik has a brand new ministry to preside over – AAYUSH.
Naik, a minister of state, who since May had independent charge of tourism and culture, will now have independent charge of the new ministry that will look at traditional medicines and practices of ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and homeopathy.
Though in most quarters the portfolio may be looked upon as a demotion, the ministry may possibly have Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s personal attention as it was just created. Until now AAYUSH was a department under the Health Ministry.
Modi begins his day with yoga, and while calling on UN member countries to celebrate June 21 as International Yoga Day had said, “Yoga embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action, restraint and fulfillment, harmony between man and nature, a holistic approach to health and well-being.”
Modi has also gifted a book on yoga to Australian PM Tony Abbott after he had expressed his interest in traditional Indian forms of physical, mental and spiritual practices, when Abbott had visited India in September.
Goa now has two ministers in the Union cabinet – Manohar Parrikar in charge of the country’s defence and Naik of the citizen’s physical and mental well being.
