Bengaluru: AYUSH health and family welfare department, which jointly with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry is co-sponsoring a five-day National Expo on Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Sidda and Homeopathy) system of medicine in Bengaluru from January 21.

CM Siddaramaiah and union minister of state for Ayush (independent charge) Shripad Yesso Naik will grace the occasion. Over 200 stalls will showcase a wide range of Ayush products. It will also have interactions between experts, doctors, and students.

5,000 plus delegates from across India are expected to participate in the expo.

The Minister for heath and family welfare,  Khader, said “the expo is aimed at promoting Ayush as the first and preferred course of medicine for people followed by allopathic system of medicine.  The interest of the patient should be important in choosing a system of medicine.  Many allopathic doctors have backed a mix of allopathic and Ayush systems of medicines despite reservations to the same”.

The minister was of the opinion that there is a tremendous opportunity worldwide for Ayush system of medicine,  as there is a lack of availability of Ayush as academic courses overseas.  He suggested that India could exploit the opportunity.

Khader said government is committed to starting Ayush University at Shivamogga in 100 acres of land identified for it. An Ayush college would start function from the academic year 2015-16, he said.