Union Minister for AYUSH Shri Prataprao Jadhav highlights mind–heart connection for holistic health at IHW Conference 2025

The third edition of the International IHW (Integrative Health and Wellbeing) Conference 2025 which kickstarted on 10th October 2025, is in full swing with significant keynote address and panel discussions aligned with the theme of the conference viz., ‘Mind-Body Medicine for Cardiac Health, Lifestyle and Mental Wellbeing’. Eminent dignitaries from the field of medicine, yoga, ayurveda and meditation; policy-makers, educators, researchers, community champions, lifestyle researchers came together at one platform brought by Ministry of AYUSH, AIIMS (New Delhi), ICMR NITM (National Institute of Traditional Medicine), ITRA (Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda) and Heartfulness Institute. Shri Prataprao Jadhav – Hon’ble Minister for AYUSH, Govt. of India, graced the occasion as Chief Guest of Honour respectively.

The purpose of the conference is to integrate modern and traditional health approaches in a systematic and scientific manner; improve prevention and management of chronic diseases through holistic and evidence-based strategies; and promote a comprehensive model of health that addresses physical, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of wellbeing.

The inaugural session began with Heartfulness meditation followed by welcome address by Dr Krishnamurthy Jayanna, Chair, Heartfulness Research Council. In his speech Shri Prataprao Jadhav – Hon’ble Minister for AYUSH, Govt. of India said, “The IHW 2025 is confluence of major streams for holistic wellness bringing meaningful and relevant discussions and deliberations on holistic health. The serenity of Kanha Shanti Vanam is exemplary for a perfect ecosystem. Our traditional medicine is self-sustaining with no side-effects. The modern lifestyle related health problems can be dealt with the right interventions such as adopting traditional wisdom of yoga and meditation as postulated by Maharshi Patanjali. Under the aegis of Ministry of AYUSH the ‘Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan’ based on the Ayurvedic principles in helping adopt a healthy lifestyle, building a healthy society and a healthy nation. The success of the mission has at its core digital healthcare access to every citizen of India. Hon’ble PM Modiji believes that access to universal healthcare is access to justice. Indian traditional knowledge is being recognized all over the world and there is growing awareness on the same. Govt. of India is establishing AYUSH hospitals across the country. Heartfulness’s wellness programmes in the offering is exceptional in holistic health while nurturing the spirit at its extraordinary premises. When the heart is at peace, the mind is at peace. Heartfulness is researching in the connect between heart and mind on our overall health. Kanha Shanti Vanam is bringing the genesis of healthy nation under the keen guidance of Revered Daaji.”

A pathbreaking book titled ‘The Heartfulness Way – Book 2’ by Revered Daaji – Guide of Heartfulness and President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission was released.  This was followed by Hon’ble Minister’s felicitation.

Dr. M. Srinivas, Director, AIIMS New Delhi; Dr Tanuja Nesari, Director, ITRA, Jamnagar; Dr Kashinath Samagandi, Director, Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) shared their thoughts on the relevance of the conference. The Keynote Address on ‘Cardiac Health and Disease in India and its relationship with wellbeing’ was delivered by Dr. Srinath Reddy, Founder President and Honorary Distinguished Professor, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI).

Five scientific sessions with panel discussions by clinical experts were the other highlights. The first session ‘Advancing evidence-based integrative medicine’ focussed on Research Methods in Integrative Medicine. Key considerations, and perspectives, and Reversal of Heart Disease in clinical practice by Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary to Government of India, Department of Health Research & Director; and Reversal of Heart Disease in clinical practice by Dr Bimal Chhajer, CEO, MD, SAAOL Health Pvt Ltd. India.

The second session viz, ‘Integrative pathways for cardiac health’ emphasised on Integrative care, Ayurveda and Yoga for cardiac health. The key panellists were Dr Gautam Sharma, Professor, Dept. of Cardiology & Head, Center for Integrative Medicine & Research, AIIMS, New Delhi; Dr Rama Jayasundar, Dept. of NMR & MRI Facility, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi; and Dr Kashinath Samagandi, Director, Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY).

The third session on  ‘Lifestyle, yoga and cardiac health’ had Dr Jagannath Dixit, Professor, B J Medical College, Pune who spoke on Prevention of Obesity while Dr Arpan A Bhatt, Professor and Head, Department of Swasthavritta and Yoga, Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), INI, Jamnagar, Gujarat talked on the Role of Yoga in Cardiac Health and Wellbeing.

The ‘Mind-heart connections in health and wellbeing’ as the fourth session had panel discussions on Ayurveda’s perspective of the mind, Stress, HRV and Cardiac Wellbeing, Impact of Heartfulness Practices in Stress and Anxiety in Students, MRI Studies on Children with Intuitive Skills, and Heartfulness practices for wellbeing – A synthesis of emerging evidence. The key panellists were Dr Hitesh Vyas, Professor, Dept. of Samhitha Siddhanta, ITRA; Dr Rahul Mehrotra, Chief, Non-Invasive & Clinical Cardiology, Artemis Hospitals, Gurugram; Dr Mansee Thakur, Director, MGMSBS, MGM Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai; Dr Senthil Kumaran, Professor, AIIMS, Delhi; and Dr Jayaram Thimmapuram, Director Heartfulness Research, Academic Hospitalist, Internal Medicine, WellSpan York Hospital respectively.

The final session of the day was on ‘Integrative approaches in acute and critical cardiac care’ where the topics discussed were Heart, Mind, Meditation: The Vision of Ayurveda & its role in integration of care & management by Dr Shankar Prasad, Director of SIVAS Health and Research Institute, Secunderabad; and Dr Rupa Salwan, Senior Director – Myocardial Infarction Program and Senior Consultant –  Cardiology & Interventional Cardiology MSSH (East) Saket.