22/09/2026
A “Vanoushadhi Yatra” was organized on 21st September, 2026 in commemoration of 11th Ayurveda Day, 2026 at Amlachoti Bhesaj Udyan, Jhargram, West Bengal by Regional-cum-Facilitation Centre, Eastern Region, (RCFC-ER), National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India, Jadavpur University, Kolkata in association with State Ayurveda Mahasammelan-West Bengal.
The programme aimed to provide school students with practical knowledge of medicinal plants, including their identification, traditional uses, therapeutic properties, and significance in Ayurveda and healthcare. Approximately 250 students from six schools in Jhargram participated in the programme. More than 650 species of medicinal plants were displayed live, with their uses, properties, and importance explained to the students.
Although medicinal plants are widely discussed in school textbooks, students often have limited opportunities to observe and identify these plants in their natural or cultivated form. The “Vanoushadhi Yatra” sought to bridge this gap between theoretical knowledge and practical understanding by providing students with direct exposure to a diverse range of medicinal plants and enabling them to recognize and learn about their applications firsthand.
The event was graced by Shri Pranab Anand Jha, Second-in-Command of CRPF 184 Battalion, Smt. Navanita Sanyal (WBFS), ADFO, Silviculture South Division, Dept. of Forests, Govt. of WB, Dr. Sumit Sur, State President of State Ayurveda Mahasammelan - West Bengal, Dr. Debabrata Pal, Sr. Ayurveda Medical Officer.
Among the distinguished dignitaries present at the programme were Shri Tanmoy Bhuin and Shri Bhagbet Ch. Sahoo, along with Dr. Soumyajit Biswas, Project Manager, RCFC-ER, Mr. Sudipto Ghosh, Assistant Project Manager (Marketing), RCFC-ER, Mr. Tushar Kanti Das, Consultant, RCFC-ER.
Medicinal plants species such as Satamul (Asparagus racemosus), Bach (Acorus calamus), Aayapan (Eupatorium triplinerve), Patharchur (Coleus amboinicus), Sarpangandha (Rauvolfia serpentine), Insulin (Chamaecostus cuspidatus) were distributed among the dignitaries and students.
