Munish Sood
MANDI:
Ashwagandha, one of India’s most powerful and scientifically acknowledged medicinal herbs, is witnessing renewed relevance in the modern health and wellness landscape.
Known in Ayurveda for its adaptogenic properties, Ashwagandha helps the body manage stress, improves immunity, supports mental health and enhances physical strength. With rising lifestyle disorders and increasing preference for natural remedies, the herb is now being recognised not only as a traditional medicine but also as a sustainable solution for preventive healthcare.
Experts believe that Ashwagandha’s importance today goes beyond health benefits. Its low input cost, high demand in domestic and international markets and suitability for cultivation in hill states like Himachal Pradesh make it a strong livelihood option for farmers, students and women self-help groups.
Highlighting this growing significance, Government Vallabh College (VGC), Mandi, successfully organised an Ashwagandha Awareness Workshop-cum-Campaign along with a Food Fest, creating a vibrant platform that linked traditional knowledge with education, innovation and student entrepreneurship.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Tara Devi Sen, Head of the Department of Botany, VGC Mandi, underlined the urgent need to reconnect youth with medicinal plants. “Ashwagandha is not just a herb but a symbol of India’s rich medicinal heritage and sustainable living. Through this campaign, our objective was to make students understand its scientific value, conservation importance and economic potential,” she said.
She added that educational institutions must play a proactive role in promoting medicinal plants. “When students learn cultivation, value addition and marketing of plants like Ashwagandha, they not only gain knowledge but also confidence to explore self-employment and startup opportunities,” Dr Sen remarked.
The campaign brought together administrators, AYUSH experts, academicians, progressive farmers and students. Dr Raj Krishan Pruthi, IAS officer and Divisional Commissioner of Mandi, who attended the event as the chief guest, strongly advocated the inclusion of medicinal plants in daily routines. Emphasising Ayurveda’s relevance in modern times, he encouraged youth to adopt nature-based lifestyles and explore innovation around medicinal herbs.
Other speakers highlighted that Ashwagandha holds immense potential for Himachal Pradesh due to favourable agro-climatic conditions. They stressed that systematic cultivation, processing and branding of medicinal plants can open new income streams while preserving biodiversity.
The core objectives of the VGC-Mandi initiative included spreading awareness about the medicinal and nutritional value of Ashwagandha, promoting its sustainable use and conservation, encouraging innovation in herbal and functional foods and exposing students and self-help groups to real-world entrepreneurship models.
One of the main attractions of the programme was enthusiastic student participation through creative competitions such as poster making, collage making and slogan writing, where students effectively communicated the health benefits and relevance of Ashwagandha. Their work reflected a blend of scientific understanding and traditional wisdom.
Another highlight was the student-led food fest, where innovative value-added products were displayed and sold. Special attention was drawn to Ashwagandha-based food items, showcasing how medicinal herbs can be seamlessly integrated into daily diets. These stalls provided students with hands-on experience in product development, pricing and customer engagement.
The event also featured an exhibition and sale of medicinal plants, including Moringa, Brahmi, Insulin Plant, Lemongrass and other indigenous species. This initiative reinforced the dual message of conservation and income generation. Active participation by women from various self-help groups further strengthened the community outreach component of the programme.
Adding to the innovation element, a multi-purpose agricultural machine capable of performing multiple farming and processing tasks was demonstrated. The live extraction of fresh fruit juices drew keen interest, highlighting how simple technology can enhance value addition in agriculture and herbal produce.
Reiterating the vision behind the campaign, Dr Tara Devi Sen said, “Our aim was to create awareness that Ashwagandha represents health, sustainability and self-reliance. When students, women and farmers come together around such initiatives, it creates a strong foundation for community-based entrepreneurship.”
