Passing by the once large open field in the midst of the Doon Valley, the Parade Ground, now a smaller, beautified space overshadowed by various practical yet seemingly out-of-place establishments, reducing the area of the once magnificent ground to a much smaller open space. Let's not dwell on its transformation. Instead, I will focus on the title of this piece. Yesterday, while on my way to my bank, driving past the transformed parade ground, I found myself stuck in a chaotic tangle of traffic—vehicles crammed into no-parking zones and some blatantly ignoring one-way rules, much to the frustration of traffic cops doing their best to manage the mess.
Amid this chaos, my attention was drawn to fluttering flags in a large section of the ground's boundary announcing the 10th World Ayurveda Congress and Arogya Expo. Intrigued, I also decided to park my car at a corner with the cop's consent. The parking lot is said to be a kilometre away on the EC Road—a claim I didn’t verify.
At the registration desk, I was handed the conference schedule with a menu outlining fees. Caught unprepared, I enquired about the Expo's entry and was relieved to learn it was free. Entering the arena, I was greeted by a bustling crowd of all ages, eagerly navigating their way to exhibition booths. Hundreds of Ayurvedic companies generously offered souvenirs and medicine samples, while government Ayurveda agencies encouraged visitors to download apps promoting various schemes and their benefits. It was an engaging showcase of traditional wellness amid urban chaos.
The aroma of wellness filled the beautifully designed makeshift enclosure, reminiscent of an Ayurveda medicine plant. The fragrant blend of herbal medicines was invigorating. The Expo displayed the aromatic benefits in various practices, from yoga and meditation to skincare and spa treatments. Beyond personal care, the aroma of wellness extended, offering a natural, accessible path to nurturing overall health and well-being.
The aroma of wellness I am mentioning signifies the profound connection between scents and holistic well-being. Aromas, derived from essential oils and natural botanicals, have been celebrated for their ability to influence mood, reduce stress, and enhance physical and emotional health. This concept is rooted in aromatherapy, which harnesses the power of fragrances to promote relaxation, focus, and rejuvenation.
My exploration began with the leading names in Ayurveda—Himalaya Wellness, Dabur, Zandu, Multani, Baidyanath, Patanjali, Sri Sri Ayurveda, the National Institute of Ayurveda, Amritdhara, SKM Siddha Ayurveda, and many others from across the country. While overseas participation may have centred on the conference running parallel, I noticed the presence of a few attendees from African nations, adding an international flair to the event.
During my interaction with numerous exhibitors, a small but impactful moment stood out. Noticing my intermittent cough, an attendee at the Himalaya Wellness pavilion where I was viewing the display handed me a strip of their cough-relieving lozenges, Koflet-H. Trusting the safety of the product coming from Himalaya, I tried two lozenges on the spot. By the evening, after consuming the entire strip of six lozenges, I experienced noticeable relief only to go to a pharmacist to get some more.
The soothing aroma of essential oils and natural herbs that filled the arena during my two-hour visit likely complemented the lozenges’ effect. This made me reflect on the profound potential of Ayurveda, the ancient Indian medical system with over 5,000 years of history. Rooted in nature, Ayurveda offers remedies that not only address physical ailments but also promote mental well-being. Imagine the possibilities of this holistic, nature-based approach—capable of alleviating both minor discomforts and more serious concerns, should one ever need it.
