Bangalore: The government will promote Indian systems of medicine, including ayurveda, siddha and unani, and therapies like yoga and naturopathy through its National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).

“The government will give impetus to yoga and naturopathy through the Indian system of medicine to prevent and cure various forms of ailments under the rural health mission, union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare S. Gandhiselvan said here late Thursday.

Unveiling `Arogya Expo 2012`, a five-day trade fair showcasing health products made from natural remedies, at Bangalore Palace grounds in the city centre, Gandhiselven said Indian yoga and naturopathy had become popular worldwide.

“As part of the NRHM, Indian medicines will be used at primary health and community centres to address health problems of the people in rural areas across the country. Similarly, use of yoga and naturopathy will be encouraged to benefit from their unique and holistic healing methods,” Gandhiselvan said.

Admitting that for a population of 1.2 billion, the number of practitioners of Indian medicine and homeopathy at about 600,000 was inadequate, the minister said that the government would encourage setting up of more colleges to build capacity and attract youth to study the Indian systems of medicine as a professional course.

Speaking on the occasion, Karnataka Medical Education Minister S.A. Ramadass lamented that yoga and naturopathy had still not reached the masses.