Jaipur, 20 January 2026 — On the heels of the successful Pravasi Rajasthan Divas (PRD) 2025, Mr. Vijay Soni, President of the Rajasthan Foundation’s Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) Chapter, conducted a high-level academic and clinical visit to the National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA) in Jaipur. The visit underscored the institute’s potential to serve as a cornerstone for integrative medicine on a global scale.
Key Highlights of the Vi
Mr. Soni, a prominent finance professional and Non-Resident Rajasthani (NRR) based in Saudi Arabia, toured NIA’s state-of-the-art facilities to explore how the institute can better serve the international community, particularly in the Middle East.
- Institutional Excellence: Accompanied by NIA officials, the delegation witnessed the advanced research capabilities and clinical expertise across various departments, including:
- Kayachikitsa (Internal Medicine): Discussions with Prof. H. M. L. Meena and Dr. Shalini Saini on specialized treatment protocols.
- Rachana Sharir (Anatomy) & Kriya Sharir (Physiology): Interactions regarding the scientific foundation of Ayurvedic education with Dr. Dharmendra, Dr. Rashi, and Prof. C. R. Yadav.
- Panchakarma: Observation of specialized therapeutic facilities that attract global patients.
Strategic Proposals for Global Outreach
During discussions with Mr. Chandrashekhar Sharma, Deputy Director of NIA, several groundbreaking initiatives were proposed to enhance the “soft power” of Ayurveda in Arab nations:
- Short-Term Certification: Introduction of specialized clinical and academic programs tailored for Arab doctors and healthcare students.
- Institutional Exchanges: Facilitating joint visits to pave the way for regulatory approvals of Ayurvedic practices and medicines in the GCC region.
- The “Experience Over Digital” Approach: Shifting focus toward personal exposure and “word-of-mouth” awareness, as Arab nationals already frequently visit India for holistic healing.
“This will not only spread the essence of Ayurveda across the Arab world but will also open new opportunities for our brilliant students.” — Mr. Vijay Soni
The PPP Model & Royal Vision
Addressing the current space constraints at NIA Jaipur, the delegation discussed the potential of the Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model.
- NRI Contribution: Mr. Soni noted that NRIs are eager to invest in building world-class infrastructure if the government provides a framework for such development.
- Leveraging Jodhpur: As an immediate solution, the delegation suggested utilizing the ample space at Jodhpur Ayurveda University for expansion.
- Maharaja Gajsinghji’s Support: The initiative is inspired by the vision of HH Maharaja Gajsinghji of Jodhpur, who has expressed full support for developing new avenues of healthcare and hospitality in the Marwar region.
Acknowledgments
The successful coordination of this visit was attributed to the efforts of RAS Shiv Charan Sharma and Professor Hari Mohan Meena, whose hospitality and insights made the interaction both “friendly and fruitful