In an effort to promote the health and well-being of children in underserved regions, the Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with Vedanta Aluminium, has expanded its ‘Swarna Prashan’ initiative to Odisha’s Rayagada district. The program, which will benefit over 6,400 students from 15 government schools, was officially announced on Thursday.
Previously implemented in Odisha’s Kalahandi district, the initiative now extends its reach to government schools in both districts, aiming to improve children’s overall health, immunity, and cognitive abilities, according to an official statement reported by PTI.
‘Swarna Prashan,’ an ancient Ayurvedic practice, involves administering a mixture of gold particles, honey, and ghee to children. This traditional remedy is believed to boost immunity, enhance memory, and support holistic development during crucial growth years.
As reported by medicaldialogues, the launch event in Rayagada was attended by District Education Officer (DEO) Basant Kumar Nayak and Ayurvedic practitioner Dr. V. J. P. Rao. DEO Nayak highlighted the scientifically backed benefits of Swarna Prashan in strengthening children’s immunity and cognitive functions.
Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Vedanta Aluminium, expressed the company’s commitment to leveraging traditional Ayurvedic practices to promote children’s health in underserved areas. “Through our partnership with the Odisha government and the Ministry of Ayush, we aim to contribute to the health and well-being of children in these regions,” he stated.
Nitin Kumar Tiwari, a senior official at Vedanta Aluminium, shared the program’s ambitious target of reaching over 30,000 children by the end of the year. He added that the initiative reflects Vedanta Aluminium’s dedication to advancing child health and fostering community development.
Earlier, the Medical Dialogues team reported that a special edition of the Journal of Drug Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (JDRAS), a publication by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), was released. The event was presided over by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, alongside Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General of CCRAS, and other senior officials and researchers.