Vice President inaugurates 9th Siddha Day celebrations in Chennai

The Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, today inaugurated the 9th Siddha Day celebrations at Kalaivanar Arangam, Chennai, underscoring the relevance of Siddha medicine as a comprehensive, preventive and sustainable healthcare system in the contemporary world. Addressing a distinguished gathering of policymakers, practitioners, academicians and students, he highlighted Siddha’s strong philosophical foundations, scientific depth, and its holistic integration of body, mind and nature.

In his address, the Vice President stated that India’s traditional systems of medicine, including Siddha, Ayurveda, Yoga and other AYUSH disciplines, are not relics of the past but living traditions that continue to contribute significantly to the health and well-being of millions in India and across the globe. He noted that Siddha medicine is among the country’s most ancient and profound medical traditions, rooted in knowledge accumulated over thousands of years, and emphasized its holistic approach that promotes harmony between body, mind and the natural environment.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush and Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India; Ma. Subramanian, Minister for Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu; senior officials from the Ministry of Ayush and the Government of Tamil Nadu; and heads of Siddha institutions.

On this occasion, five eminent personalities were felicitated for their extraordinary and commendable contributions to the Siddha system of medicine. The awardees included Dr. B. Michael Jeyaraj, Dr. T. Kannan Rajaram, Late Dr. I. Sornamariammal, Dr. Mohana Raj, and Prof. Dr. V. Banumathi, whose lifelong service, research, manuscript preservation, education, and leadership have significantly strengthened Siddha medicine at grassroots, academic, and national levels.(updated on 3rd january 2026)