Gangtok, Oct 15 Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Thursday laid the foundation stone for the Holistic Institute of Ayurveda and Wellness Centre at Lungchok in Pakyong district, a Rs 600-crore project spread across 50 acres.
The institute, scheduled to be completed within three years, will integrate ayurveda, panchakarma, yoga, meditation and holistic healing, positioning Sikkim as a wellness tourism destination while creating employment opportunities, Tamang said.
“Our vision goes beyond infrastructure. It is about preserving our invaluable traditional heritage, expanding access to holistic healthcare, generating sustainable livelihood opportunities and nurturing a healthier, happier and more prosperous Sikkim,” he said.
Tamang thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking India’s rich yoga heritage to the global stage, saying it had inspired millions worldwide to adopt healthier and more balanced lifestyles.
Noting the efforts to strengthen traditional healthcare, he said the state established the AYUSH Department as an independent department on June 13, 2025.
He also referred to the AYUSH hospitals at Sochakgang and Geyzing, and the Sowa-Rigpa Hospital and educational institute at Deorali.
The state government has been promoting preventive healthcare through its Har Ghar Yoga campaign, which has recorded more than 1.5 lakh registrations. As many as 825 yoga teachers have also been trained under the Yoga for Mental Health initiative, Tamang said.
The institute is expected to expand access to traditional systems of medicine and holistic wellness services while supporting research, officials said.
(PTI News)
