India has achieved a historic milestone in holistic healthcare as the Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyaan shattered five Guinness World Records. The groundbreaking initiative, spearheaded by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) with support from the Ministry of Ayush, concluded its first phase with a grand closing ceremony in Mumbai on February 20, 2025.
Record-Breaking Achievements
The campaign set five new global benchmarks:
- Most Pledges for a Health Campaign in One Week – 6,004,912 pledges, far exceeding the previous minimum benchmark of 14,571.
- Most Pledges for a Health Campaign in One Month – 13,892,976 pledges, surpassing the prior record of 58,284 set by Cigna & CMB Life Insurance Company Limited in China.
- Most Pledges for a Health Campaign Overall – 13,892,976 pledges, breaking the previous record of 569,057 held by Zifi FDC Limited in India.
- Largest Online Photo Album of People Displaying a Digital Certificate – 62,525 photos, more than doubling the previous record of 29,068 set by Accenture Solutions Private Limited in India.
- Largest Online Video Album of People Saying the Same Sentence – 12,798 videos, surpassing the earlier record of 8,992 held by Ghe Bharari, Rahul Kulkarni, and Neelam Edlabadkar in India.
Guinness World Records adjudicator Richard Williams Stenning officially announced the successful completion of these feats, presenting the certificates to Union Minister of State for Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav.
Government Leaders Praise the Initiative
At the closing ceremony, Jadhav emphasized the Ministry of Ayush’s commitment to advancing traditional healthcare systems and lauded the collective efforts of Ayurveda professionals and students. Maharashtra’s Health Minister, Prakash Abitkar, highlighted the state’s active role in integrating Ayurveda into mainstream public health services.
Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, Padmashri Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, noted that under ministerial leadership, the ministry had achieved six world records in just two months. He expressed confidence in further progress and global recognition for Ayurveda-based healthcare.
A Nationwide Movement
The campaign, initially announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on National Ayurveda Day, gained momentum after President Droupadi Murmu became the first individual to undergo a Prakriti assessment, encouraging mass participation. The initiative exceeded expectations by conducting assessments for over 12.9 million individuals, surpassing the original goal of 10 million.
A total of 181,667 volunteers, including 133,758 Ayurveda students, 16,155 teachers, and 31,754 physicians, participated in the campaign. This diverse group represented multiple age groups and backgrounds, reflecting India’s unity in diversity.
Advancing Personalized Healthcare
This large-scale participation highlights India’s leadership in personalized medicine, positioning Ayurveda at the forefront of preventive healthcare and lifestyle management. The extensive data collected is expected to drive evidence-based research, bridging traditional practices with modern medical advancements and reinforcing India’s healthcare innovation on the global stage.
