Dr. Sasmit Patra, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) from Odisha and National Spokesperson of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), today met Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Hon’ble Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH, and submitted a detailed representation seeking the establishment of an All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) at Mayurbhanj, Odisha.
In his representation, Dr. Patra highlighted that despite Odisha’s immense contributions to India’s tribal heritage, biodiversity conservation, medicinal plant wealth and healthcare ecosystem, the State does not presently host any premier national Ayurveda institution comparable to the All India Institute of Ayurveda (Delhi and Goa), the National Institute of Ayurveda (Jaipur) or the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (Jamnagar).
Dr. Patra emphasized that the proposed AIIA at Mayurbhanj would not only address a longstanding institutional gap in Eastern India but would also emerge as a centre of excellence for Ayurveda education, research, healthcare and innovation serving millions of citizens across Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar and neighbouring regions.
Highlighting the unique strengths of Mayurbhanj, Dr. Patra noted that the district is home to the internationally acclaimed Similipal Biosphere Reserve, one of India’s richest biodiversity landscapes, and possesses significant medicinal plant resources that can support advanced Ayurveda research, conservation and education.
The representation further underscored that while Odisha hosts the Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI), Bhubaneswar, its mandate is primarily research-oriented and fundamentally different from the comprehensive healthcare, educational and institutional role envisaged under the AIIA model. Establishment of an AIIA at Mayurbhanj would therefore complement and strengthen the existing AYUSH ecosystem in Odisha rather than duplicate existing infrastructure.
Speaking after the meeting, Dr. Sasmit Patra said:
“Eastern India deserves a premier national Ayurveda institution. Mayurbhanj offers a unique combination of biodiversity, medicinal plant wealth, strategic location and developmental potential that makes it an ideal location for an All India Institute of Ayurveda. Such an institution would not only strengthen healthcare and education but would also contribute significantly to India’s global leadership in Ayurveda and traditional medicine.”
The proposal envisions AIIA Mayurbhanj as a premier national institution under the Ministry of AYUSH with facilities for advanced healthcare delivery, undergraduate and postgraduate education, doctoral research, medicinal plant sciences, capacity building and community outreach.
Dr. Patra expressed confidence that the Ministry of AYUSH would give due consideration to the proposal in the larger interest of balanced regional development, healthcare accessibility and promotion of India’s traditional knowledge systems.
Key Highlights of the Proposal
• Establishment of an All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) at Mayurbhanj, Odisha.
• First premier national Ayurveda institution in Odisha.
• Strategic location serving the entire Eastern Indian region.
• Leveraging the biodiversity and medicinal plant wealth of Similipal and Northern Odisha.
• Strengthening Ayurveda education, healthcare, research and innovation.
• Generating employment, investment and regional development opportunities.
• Advancing India’s leadership in Ayurveda and traditional medicine globally.
Office of Dr. Sasmit Patra
Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha)
Odisha
