China's export of herbal products is a challenge for us: Narendra Modi

GANDHINAGAR: Admitting that China's high export of herbal medicines was a challenge, BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi today stressed the need to globalise Ayurveda -the Indian system of traditional medicine.

"China is at number one position in exporting herbal medicines. China's large exports means that there is a global market of our such products. To make our place is the biggest challenge," Modi said at an event of National Ayurvedic Summit at Mahatma Mandir here.

"Has India ever thought how many countries believe in traditional medicine system? Nepal, Thailand, Sumatra, Java and many such countries use herbal products. We can make a group of those countries to take our Ayurveda to the world," he suggested.

On using latest technologies in Ayurveda, he said the centuries old ayurvedic manuscripts should be digitalised to preserve them and it is the government's duty to do so.

The 63-year-old BJP leader also regretted that the country was lagging behind in filing patents. "We need awareness regarding patent system in Ayurveda. Ayurvedic sector should also think about intellectual property rights (IPR)," he said.

"Just saying that our things are best will not do anything. We need to present our technology to the world in the language they understand," he stressed while suggesting to improve the packaging.

"Our modern day life is trapped in 'hurry, worry and curry', but how do we move towards a more balanced life? In foreign countries, herbal products are used as a supplementary food than as a medicines. We can also have Ayurvedic products to get a healthy and balanced life," he said.

"We should also be concerned about the country's health. Every flower has the potential to cure diseases. One such flower is the Lotus. It can also cure many diseases," Modi said.

Those present on the occasion included Yoga guru Ramdev, his disciple Balkrishna, state minister Parbat Patel and Prof Om Prakash Upadhyaya from Punjab, who was recently conferred with the Padma Shri for his efforts in development and progress of Ayurvedic medicine education and research.