CARI Bengaluru to Host Programme on Holistic Diabetes Management on World Diabetes Day

The Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI), Bengaluru — a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Madhumeha (Diabetes Mellitus) under the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India — will mark World Diabetes Day 2025 tomorrow with a special programme titled “Madhumeha Vimarsha.”

The event, scheduled for November 14, will showcase the Centre’s pioneering efforts in research, clinical care, and outreach for the prevention and management of diabetes through Ayurveda, Yoga, and lifestyle interventions.

CARI Bengaluru has emerged as a leading institution integrating traditional Ayurvedic wisdom with modern scientific research to combat diabetes — a growing public health concern. So far, the Centre has provided services to over 6,000 patients, including more than 25% from economically weaker sections (EWS).

Beyond clinical services, CARI has leveraged digital health technologies to expand its outreach, benefitting over 6 lakh people through teleconsultations, e-medical records, SMS alerts, and accessible information on its website (www.cari.gov.in) and social media platforms.

In a major innovation, the Centre has also developed a machine learning-based predictive system for assessing diabetes risk, which has received copyright protection. The system, currently under validation, is being adapted into a mobile application to help individuals track and manage their health more effectively.

“Our focus has been on combining traditional wisdom with scientific research to address diabetes in a holistic yet evidence-based manner,” said Dr. Sulochana Bhat, Incharge, CARI Bengaluru. “These initiatives show how integrative healthcare can support prevention and enhance quality of life for those at risk,” she added.

CARI is also collaborating with CSIR-CFTRI, Mysuru, and IISc Bengaluru on studies related to food products and Ayurvedic formulations, and has developed an integrated framework for diabetes prevention and management that will soon be published.

Tomorrow’s event will include expert lectures, notably by Prof. (Dr.) G.G. Gangadharan, former Director of Ramiah Indic Speciality Ayurveda Restoration Hospital, on “Holistic Management of Madhumeha.”

Through such initiatives, the Ministry of Ayush continues to advance sustainable, inclusive, and evidence-based strategies for addressing lifestyle-related disorders like diabetes, reaffirming India’s leadership in integrative health research.