India’s legacy of traditional medicine took centre stage at the 9th Siddha Day celebrations held at Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai, where national leaders, practitioners, scholars and researchers came together to reaffirm the relevance of Siddha as a holistic, preventive and sustainable healthcare system.

Addressing the gathering, the Vice President of India, C P Radhakrishnan, described Siddha and other Indian systems of medicine as living traditions that continue to play a vital role in promoting health and well-being. He emphasised that Siddha medicine, one of the oldest medical systems in the world, is rooted in a deep understanding of the interconnection between body, mind and nature, making it relevant in addressing today’s lifestyle-related health challenges.

The Vice President highlighted Siddha’s strong focus on preventive care, lifestyle management and treatment of diseases at their root cause. He noted that while modern medicine has made significant advances, traditional systems such as Siddha offer long-term healing approaches aimed at restoring balance and harmony in the human body. He also underlined the importance of strengthening research, documentation and evidence-based practice to further enhance public trust and global acceptance of traditional medicine.

An exhibition showcasing ancient palm-leaf manuscripts, classical Siddha texts and medicinal herbs drew attention to the need for preserving and systematically documenting traditional medical knowledge. Speakers stressed that sustained efforts in conservation and research are essential to protect this heritage and pass it on to future generations.

Union Ayush Minister Prataprao Jadhav echoed these views, stating that Siddha represents an advanced and holistic understanding of health, nature and consciousness. He highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen Siddha education, research and global outreach, noting that the inclusion of Siddha-related classifications in international frameworks such as the WHO’s ICD-11 marks a significant step in positioning India’s traditional medicine systems on the global healthcare map.

The event also recognised the contributions of five eminent personalities for their life-long service to Siddha medicine, including work in clinical practice, research education and manuscript preservation.

Held under the theme “Siddha for Global Health,” the celebration reinforced India’s commitment to promoting traditional medicine as an integral part of contemporary and global healthcare systems, while preserving its classical knowledge and principles.