New Delhi: The 3rd International Ayurveda Conference, jointly organised by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) and Conayur in São Paulo, Brazil, brought together leading experts, scholars, and practitioners from across Latin America and India to celebrate four decades of Ayurveda in Brazil. The two-day event was held under the aegis of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
Centred on the theme “Diversity and Inclusion in Ayurveda: Caring for Everybody and Every Being,” the conference explored Ayurveda’s role in building inclusive, holistic, and environment-conscious healthcare systems.
Indian Ambassador to Brazil Dinesh Bhatia inaugurated the event, noting the growing India–Brazil collaboration in traditional medicine. He highlighted Ayurveda’s strengthening global relevance through scientific validation and international engagements, including the upcoming WHO–Ministry of Ayush Global Summit on Traditional Medicine scheduled in New Delhi in December 2025.
The Ambassador also lauded Brazil’s pioneering step as the first South American nation to officially recognise Ayurveda. Referring to the recent visit of Brazil’s Vice President Geraldo Alckmin to the All India Institute of Ayurveda, he termed it a milestone in bilateral cooperation.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. (Vaidya) Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, emphasized Ayurveda’s foundational values of compassion and holistic balance. He highlighted ongoing collaborations between Indian and Brazilian academic institutions, supported through bilateral agreements and the Ministry of Health. He praised the contributions of Ayurveda educators and practitioners in Brazil, reaffirming India’s commitment to advancing evidence-based traditional medicine.
Dr. Jyoti Kiran Shukla, Director of SVCC, underlined the shared wellness heritage between India and Brazil and the role of ICCR and SVCC in fostering cultural and academic exchange.
A major highlight of the conference was the announcement that Ayurveda has been officially included in the Brazilian Classification of Occupations, marking a historic step in its professional recognition.
The event featured thematic lectures, plenary sessions, and a general assembly discussing ancestral knowledge, diversity and inclusion, and pathways for regulating Ayurveda practice in Brazil. Key presentations included “Daivavyapashraya: The Healing of the Soul” by Paulo Bastos Gonçalves, “From Prithvi to Ākāśa” by Vanessa Santetti, and “Ayurveda as a Path of Healing” by Dr. Rita Beatriz Tocantins.
Consul General of India in São Paulo Hansraj Singh Verma stressed the importance of India–Brazil cooperation in promoting preventive and natural healthcare solutions.
The conference concluded with a roundtable titled “The Future of Ayurveda in Brazil: Building the Next 40 Years,” reaffirming the expanding global footprint of Ayurveda and paving the way for strengthened international collaboration ahead of the upcoming WHO–Ayush Global Summit.
