The Ayurveda Centre of Excellence, supported by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) Indian Traditional Sciences, marked the 11th UN International Yoga Day at the Houses of Parliament, celebrating “Unity Within Diversity” and the role of faith in healing.
Hosted by Bob Blackman MP, the event gathered over a hundred participants from diverse faiths and communities, reflecting the UK’s evolving commitment to integrative healthcare and wellness.
A key proposal presented was to collaborate on preparing a White Paper on Integrative Healthcare, aligning with Lord Darzi’s NHS report (2024), which called for radical reforms linking NHS funding to efficiency and cost savings.
Integrative healthcare is rapidly growing in the UK, driven by increasing demand for people-centric wellness and recognising that ill-health often results from imbalances across mental, physical, and societal systems. The discussions highlighted the potential for faith and tradition to work alongside modern medicine, contributing to NHS transformation.
Dr Manoj Nesari’s Message from India
Dr Manoj Nesari, Advisor to India’s Ministry of AYUSH, joined via Zoom, praising the APPG’s initiatives and the launch of the Ayurveda Centre of Excellence (October 2024). He emphasised:
“Faith and belief play vital roles in restoring health. The cultural traditions organise these faiths in the hearts of a large set of the population. Preparing a White Paper on Integrative Healthcare is a fundamental requirement for NHS reform, and your initiatives may play a pivotal role in reshaping healthcare delivery in the UK.”
Stories of Faith and Healing
Dr Nesari shared a moving story of faith: a young girl’s recovery from illness driven by her belief in the resilience of a tree’s leaves, illustrating how mental upliftment through faith can contribute to healing, regardless of religious affiliations.
Distinguished Speakers and Global Voices
Speakers included:
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Lord Ranger of Northwood, Gurinder Joshan MP, Lord Hussain of Luton, Rt Hon John McDonnell MP, Virendra Sharma (former MP), Kavita Khanna, and healthcare leaders from India, UK, Portugal, and Brazil.
Dr Rishi Handa, Robin Marsh (UPF UK), Swamini Atmaprakashananda Saraswati, Mandip Singh (Gurdwara Aid), Trupti Patel (Hindu Forum Britain), and others shared perspectives on integrating faith with healthcare practices.
Sikh Perspective on Holistic Healing
Param Singh MBE (City Sikhs), who could not attend in person, shared:
“Healing isn’t just about curing illness; it’s about achieving balance across body, mind, and spirit. The UK’s own heritage of spiritual care, from holy wells to NHS chaplaincy, shows that faith and science can work hand in hand.”
Global Messages of Support
Video messages were received from spiritual leaders including:
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Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala (London Buddhist Vihara)
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Bibiji Inderjit Kaur (Sikh Dharma, USA)
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Swami Brahmaswarupananda (Trinidad & Tobago)
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Rev Gideon Reuben (UK)
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Swami Anubhavananda (Canada)
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Dr Tony Nader (USA)
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Chief Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi (India)
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Swami Suryananda Saraswati (Italy)
Ayurveda and Yoga Recognised
Ambassador for Ayurveda Awards were presented to:
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Dr Pawan Kumar Sharma (India)
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Ranjula Madhani MBE (UK)
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Dr Joaquim Jose Da Costa Jorge (Portugal, Ayurveda Ratna).
Book Launch: “Journey Across Boundaries”
Bob Blackman MP launched “Journey Across Boundaries” by Dr Rajinder Pal Singh, a Manchester-based transplant surgeon, who highlighted his research bridging ancient wisdom with modern science for patient care.
This Parliament celebration of International Yoga Day reaffirmed yoga as a day of international unity, encouraging the UK’s diverse communities to embrace integrative health models rooted in tradition and evidence-based care, aligning faith, wellness, and NHS transformation for the collective good.
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