By Babita Singh
Dehradun: Primary school children at Government Primary School, Miyanwala, were introduced to the basics of Ayurveda, yoga, healthy eating habits and daily routines as part of the National Ayurveda Day 2026 celebrations organised by Uttarakhand Ayurved University, Main Campus, Harrawala.
The university organised a health camp, awareness session and tree plantation drive at the school, with the aim of encouraging children to adopt healthy habits from an early age. The awareness programme, held under the theme “Ayurveda for Healthier Tomorrow,” focused on preventive healthcare, personal hygiene, disciplined routines and the role of yoga and Ayurveda in maintaining overall well-being.
The programme was organised under the guidance of Main Campus Director Prof Pankaj Sharma. Nodal officer Dr Rajiv Kurele and Ayurveda Faculty nodal officer Dr Rishi Arya coordinated the campaign and interacted with the students during the awareness session.
Addressing the children, Dr Kurele explained the basic concepts of Ayurveda and emphasised the importance of preventive healthcare. He said the foundation of a healthy life is laid during childhood and that simple habits related to food, cleanliness, adequate sleep and a disciplined daily routine can have a lasting impact on health.
He encouraged the students to understand the importance of maintaining a balance between physical activity, proper nutrition and rest. The interaction also focused on ways to prevent common illnesses and strengthen the body’s natural immunity through healthy lifestyle practices and Ayurveda-based principles.
Dr SP Singh, associate professor, Department of Swasthavritta, spoke to the students about yoga and the importance of following a structured daily routine. He explained how regular yoga, physical activity and a disciplined lifestyle can contribute to physical and mental well-being. The students were also encouraged to incorporate simple healthy practices into their everyday lives.
The programme included an interactive discussion with students on disease prevention, natural ways of supporting immunity and the importance of adopting health-promoting practices in daily life.
As part of the awareness initiative, teachers of the school were also administered five health pledges aimed at promoting healthy living. The programme was followed by a tree plantation activity in which students and guests actively participated.
Poonam Kashyap, acting headmistress of the school, along with Kusum Gairola, senior social worker Prem Chamola, Ashok Kumar, Vinayak Sharma Swami, president of the Youth Wing of Swami Nityanand Jan Seva Samiti, and Vidit were present during the programme.
A health camp was also organised in the morning, where people were provided Ayurvedic medical consultation and guidance on maintaining health through appropriate lifestyle practices.
The university also conducted a plantation drive at its main campus under the leadership of Prof Pankaj Sharma. Faculty members, doctors and BAMS students participated in the initiative. Dr Rajiv Kurele, Dr Rishi Arya, Dr Nandkishore Dadhich, Dr Amit Tamaddi, Dr Nitesh Anand and Dr Urmila, along with BAMS students, took part in the plantation drive.
A variety of plants with medicinal, environmental and nutritional significance, including Putranjivak, Arjun, amla, guava, bamboo, harad and baheda, were planted on the campus.
The university officials said such outreach activities are intended to take the message of Ayurveda beyond academic institutions and encourage communities, particularly children, to understand the importance of preventive healthcare, traditional knowledge and environmentally sustainable living.