Healthcare is not just absence of illness; take holistic view of health by including physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing – Vice President

The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu today said that healthcare is not just ‘absence of illness’ and called for taking a holistic view of health that includes physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing and empowers an individual to reach his/her full potential.

In a video message for NDTV’s latest edition of ‘Banega Swasth India’, the Vice President said that this holistic approach towards health is the aim of ‘Swasth Bharat’, which will ultimately lead to ‘Sampann Bharat’ or prosperous Bharat.

Taking note of the significant gains in health indices since independence, Shri Naidu urged the Centre and States to work in a team India spirit with renewed vigor to further improve the health indices. “Apart from increasing public spending on health, there is also a need to augment the health infrastructure at various levels through a public-private partnership,” he added.

Calling for bridging disparities in health infrastructure between urban and rural areas, he said “While bringing tertiary care to rural areas, it is imperative that we strengthen our primary health care system for better health outcomes.” He lauded the government’s flagship scheme, Ayushman Bharat and said it has brought ‘health assurance’ to millions of poor families.

Expressing his concern over the disturbing trend of increasing Non-Communicable Diseases in India, Shri Naidu called for creating greater awareness among people on lifestyle diseases. He urged health experts and cultural icons to take the lead in this regard.

Referring to COVID pandemic, the Vice President praised all frontline workers including doctors and paramedics staff, sanitation workers, police and media persons for the extraordinary resilience, courage and spirit of sacrifice displayed by them in fighting the pandemic and serving the people. He said the pandemic has also reminded us that our health is intricately connected to the health of the planet and man must avoid interfering with the natural ecosystems for his selfish interests. ‘One Health, One Planet, One Future’ is the way forward, he added.

Noting that about 65 percent of our population is below the age of 35 years, he exhorted the youth to adopt a healthy and disciplined lifestyle by undertaking regular physical activity like yoga or cycling and eating healthy food. He advised youngsters to avoid getting addicted to digital devices.

Complimenting NDTV for the timely and important initiative to improve public awareness on crucial issues of health and wellness, Shri Naidu wished the program all success.

Following is the full text of Vice President’s video message –

“Sisters and Brothers,

I am happy to know that NDTV has launched another edition of its annual event, ‘Banega Swasth India’. This is a very timely and important initiative that seeks to improve public awareness on the crucial issues of health and wellness. I compliment NDTV for this effort.

The COVID pandemic has taught us many important lessons. It has also made every one of us—from individuals to governments focus greater attention on health. Before moving further, I would like to convey my deepest appreciation to all the doctors and other frontline healthcare workers for the extraordinary resilience, courage and spirit of sacrifice displayed by them in fighting the pandemic and serving the people. My compliments also to all other COVID warriors from sanitation staff to media and police personnel for their dedicated service during this pandemic.

Friends,

As you all are aware, India is a young nation with about 65 percent of the population below the age of 35 years. It is, therefore, imperative for our youngsters to adopt a healthy and disciplined lifestyle. They must undertake regular physical activity like yoga or cycling; avoid sedentary habits, unhealthy diet like junk food, and consumption of substances that are harmful to health. Youngsters must also take special care not to get addicted to digital devices.

While India has made significant gains in health indices since independence, the Centre and States must work in a team India spirit with renewed vigor to further improve the health indices. Apart from increasing public spending on health, there is also a need to augment the health infrastructure at various levels through a public-private partnership. The stark disparities in health infrastructure between urban and rural areas need to be bridged. While bringing tertiary care to rural areas, it is imperative that we strengthen our primary health care system for better health outcomes.

It would be pertinent to point out that the government’s flagship scheme, Ayushman Bharat, is a laudable initiative which has brought ‘health assurance’ to millions of poor families.

Going forward, we must focus on curbing the disturbing trend of increasing Non-Communicable Diseases in India, which now account for around 60 percent of deaths in the country. We need to create greater awareness among people on lifestyle diseases. I urge health experts and cultural icons to take the lead in this regard.

The pandemic has also reminded us that our health is intricately connected to the health of the planet. Man must avoid interfering with the natural ecosystems for his selfish interests. ‘One Health, One Planet, One Future’ is the way forward.

Friends,

Finally, I suggest that we move past the notion of healthcare as the absence of illness and take a holistic view of health that includes physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing and empowers an individual to reach his/her full potential. This is the aim of ‘Swasth Bharat’, which will ultimately lead to ‘Sampann Bharat’ or prosperous Bharat.

My best wishes to the audience of NDTV and the panelists on this programme. May we strive together with greater determination for a Swasth and Sampann Bharat.

Namaskar! Jai Hind!”

‘We have to save our rivers with a sense of immediacy’- Vice President

The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, today called for a powerful national campaign on the need to rejuvenate our rivers and suggested that ‘we save our rivers with a sense of immediacy’.

Noting that rivers have always been revered in India for their life-regenerating power, Shri Naidu pointed out that growing urbanization and industrialization have led to pollution of rivers and other water bodies in different parts of the country. “In the past, our villages and cities used to be dotted with several water bodies. In the quest for modernization, man, driven by greed, has destroyed natural ecosystems and at several places, the water bodies have virtually disappeared or have been encroached upon”, he observed.

The Vice President arrives in Guwahati for his tour to North Eastern States. pic.twitter.com/a1KMIPHoBn

— Vice President of India (@VPIndia) October 3, 2021

The Vice President, who arrived in Guwahati today on a tour of the North East, began his trip by inaugurating the Heritage-cum-Cultural Centre on the banks of river Brahmaputra. He also visited the museum at the Centre and released a coffee-table book ‘Forever Guwahati’ on this occasion.

Later in a Facebook post, Shri Naidu described his experience of visiting Assam and the river Brahmaputra as unforgettable. He wrote that he was ‘awestruck by the natural beauty of the Brahmaputra, viewed from a splendid riverside garden. I will cherish this memory for a long time.’ He added that the great river, providing livelihood to millions of people, is an integral part of the region’s culture and history.

The Vice President inaugurating 'Mahabahu Brahmaputra River Heritage Centre' on the bank of river Brahmaputra in Guwahati today. @jagdishmukhi @himantabiswa pic.twitter.com/z1d3LreVcv

— Vice President of India (@VPIndia) October 3, 2021

Noting the importance of rivers and their rejuvenation, Shri Naidu suggested to the Centre and the state governments to include lessons on the importance of water conservation in school curricula. He also suggested that schools should conduct nature camps for students from a young age so that children, especially those living in the urban areas, see and enjoy the splendor of nature.

The Vice President noted the legacy of the hillock where the heritage centre is located as the base camp of the most powerful Borphukan of the Ahom Kingdom, Lachit Borphukan. During the visit, Shri Naidu witnessed several sections of the centre like the art gallery, the Central Hall with the theme ‘Life Along the River’ and ‘Majuli Corner’, containing famed masks, panel paintings and other artifacts.

Shri Naidu appreciated the fact that the heritage campus is pedestrian only and vehicular traffic has been prohibited to maintain the serenity of the place. He suggested other heritage centres around the country too should adopt such green and healthy practices, by creating walking and cycling paths for visitors to explore.