Bhubaneswar: The Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with Vedanta Aluminium, has expanded its ‘Swarna Prashan’ initiative to Rayagada district in Odisha, aiming to improve the health and well-being of children in underserved areas. The program is set to benefit over 6,400 students from 15 government schools, officials announced on Thursday.
Initially launched in Kalahandi district, the scheme now extends to Rayagada, covering students in both regions. The initiative seeks to promote children’s overall health and development, news agency PTI reported.
‘Swarna Prashan’ is an ancient Ayurvedic practice involving a mixture of gold particles, honey, and ghee, believed to enhance memory, boost immunity, and support holistic development during crucial growth years.
District Education Officer (DEO) Basant Kumar Nayak and Ayurvedic doctor V.J.P. Rao attended the event. 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, stated, “Through our collaboration with the government of Odisha and the Ministry of Ayush, we aim to promote children’s health in underserved areas by utilizing time-tested traditional practices.”
Nitin Kumar Tiwari, a senior official from Vedanta Aluminium, added, “Our goal is to reach over 30,000 children by the end of the year. This initiative reflects our dedication to fostering child health and comprehensive community development.”
Earlier, We reported the release of a special issue of the Journal of Drug Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (JDRAS) by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS). The issue was launched by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, in the presence of Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General of CCRAS, and other senior officials and researchers.
