Ambassador India, Yoga Day and more, scholarships

(by Laura Valentini) Six million Italians practice it yoga, an ancient discipline originating from ancient India, while The number of Indian tourists in Italy increases with an increase which in the post-Covid period has been in double figures: speaking of the increasingly close cultural ties between the two countries is Indian Ambassador Vani Rao, in an interview with ANSA on the eve of the International Yoga Day which is celebrated all over the world on June 21st. In Rome, promoted from the Embassy, ​​the Indian Council for Relations cultural institutions (ICCR) and from Rome Capital, Yoga Day will see among the other events a session open to all from 5.30pm in Gardens of Castel Sant'Angelo, under the title 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health' (Yoga for One Earth, One Health). "Yoga is gaining popularity all over the world, as people they seek physical and mental well-being, and how to manage it stress and diseases related to modern lifestyle" he states the Ambassador. "We are witnessing this trend also in Italy. In 2025, approximately 6 million Italians, almost 10% of the population, practice yoga. This is an increase significant compared to the 3 million estimated in 2019" (Source: Yogi Times). In 2017 in Italy there were about 830 yoga schools recognized, a number that has most likely increased thanks to to the growing diffusion of yoga which, today, seems "more popular in the more urbanized Italian regions or industrialized. Lombardy is at the top of the list of studies of yoga, followed by Lazio and Emilia-Romagna" he explains The Ambassador. "Our government also offers scholarships for yoga courses" and for other traditional medical disciplines. "We encourage Italians to apply and become certified yoga professionals" he further emphasizes with reference to the scholarships that the Government of India, through the ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations), offers to foreign citizens to follow various Ayurveda courses, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy in India, in the context of AYUSH Scholarship Program. In India to popularize the study, research and dissemination of these medical methods traditional and alternative there is in fact a specific ministry, the ministry of AYUSH whose name reflects the different disciplines medical matters that fall within its scope of expertise. "Our government established it to promote traditional systems of healing and healthcare around the world." Meanwhile "an Indian delegation participated in the fair this year Cosmoprof Bologna to present Ayurvedic products. The Italian Federation of Doctors (FNOMCeO) recognizes Ayurveda as a medical act. Therefore, only doctors qualified with a certified training in Ayurveda are authorized to diagnose and prescribe Ayurvedic treatments in Italy". The Global Center for Traditional Medicine, remembers Vani Rao, "was established in 2022 in Gujarat, India, to harness the potential of Ayurveda and other systems traditional for global health". To date there is no comprehensive national legislation regulating training, certification or practice of Ayurveda in Italy. "The absence of regulation presents challenges, particularly for insurance coverage, import of medical products Ayurvedic and formal recognition of Ayurvedic therapists" underlines the ambassador. This medicine has many advantages, however admirers and events and conferences (the last of which in the Senate last May 30th) are organized by the Embassy for promote Ayurveda in collaboration with experts, including Dr. Nancy Miladoor, one of the pioneering doctors of this medicine in Italy. If there are more and more tourists who travel from Italy to India not only for its beauty and importance historical-cultural sites, but also to visit the region considered the 'cradle' of Ayurveda, namely Kerala, in the last 3 years, after Covid, there has been a clear increase of Indian tourists in Italy. Already in 2019, according to a study of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Italy, the number of Indian tourists had more than tripled from 2008 then, after the travel restrictions imposed by the pandemic, there was a surge in arrivals. Destination Italia SpA, a company Italian leader in the Travel Tech sector, has recorded a 6% increase in tourist bookings in the first half of last year compared to the same period in 2023. "This growth - comments Vani Rao - is attributed to the growing demand for luxury tourism especially from the market Indian. Indian tourists are particularly attracted to Rome for its rich historical and cultural heritage, from Milan to fashion and shopping experiences, from Florence for art and architecture". But the number of those "who prefer to travel is increasing in less touristic places, as they try to discover the diversity and the most authentic Italian culture. Puglia, Sicily and Dolomites are popular destinations for Indian tourists". popularizing some iconic places of the peninsula have been even Bollywood movies. "Some picturesque locations and cities historical Italian cities have attracted directors from Mumbai and other regions of India have come to Italy to film" he explains Vani Rao announcing how the embassy intends to promote the Screenings of some Indian films during the Incredible India Festival, which is due to be held in September this year at India Theater in Rome.