Outreach Activities

Outreach Activities at RARIM&MMR Goa

The Regional Ayurveda Research Institute for Mineral and Marine Medicinal Resources (RARIM&MMR), Goa, under the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, actively engages in outreach activities to promote Ayurvedic awareness, preventive healthcare, and community education. Established in 2022 with its Ayurveda OPD commencing on December 15, 2022, and inaugurated on July 14, 2023, the institute’s outreach efforts focus on mineral and marine medicinal resources, integrating them with public health initiatives in Goa’s coastal communities. These activities align with CCRAS’s broader mandate for public engagement, including awareness programs, workshops, and collaborations to disseminate Ayurvedic knowledge and promote holistic wellness.

Core Objectives of Outreach
– Raise awareness about Ayurvedic principles, particularly the therapeutic potential of mineral and marine resources (e.g., seaweed-based remedies, herbo-mineral formulations).
– Provide free or subsidized consultations, yoga sessions, and dietary advice to underserved populations.
– Foster community participation in preventive health measures, such as Prakruti (constitutional) assessment and lifestyle modifications.
– Collaborate with local bodies to address region-specific health issues like geriatric care, stress management, and nutritional deficiencies using marine-mineral integrations.

Key Outreach Activities
RARIM&MMR Goa’s outreach is conducted through its OPD (9:30 AM to 4:30 PM on working days) and special programs, often in partnership with local health departments, NGOs, and CCRAS headquarters. As of September 2025, the institute has participated in several initiatives, building on its 6 core services (clinical care, Prakruti assessment, yoga awareness, geriatric consultations, medicinal plant information, and library access). Notable activities include:

1. Awareness Camps and Workshops:
– Regular health awareness camps in Ribandar and surrounding areas, focusing on Ayurvedic management of common ailments using marine resources (e.g., workshops on seaweed for skin and joint health).
– Yoga and lifestyle sessions integrated with dietary advice on mineral-rich coastal foods, held monthly at the institute and community centers.
– Participation in national events like Ayurveda Day (October 2024) and International Yoga Day (June 2025), with free screening camps for over 200 participants.

2. Community Health Programs:
– Special outreach for geriatric patients, including home visits and group sessions on preventive care using herbo-mineral formulations like Yograj Guggulu.
– Collaboration with the National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, for eco-health programs educating fisherfolk on marine medicinal plants and their sustainable use.
– Free OPD consultations extended to rural outreach in nearby villages, emphasizing neuropsychiatric health (led by Dr. Hemant Kumar Gupta) and Prakruti-based personalized advice.

3. Educational Initiatives:
– Seminars and lectures on medicinal plants and their usages, drawing from the institute’s reference library (912 books/journals) to highlight Goan-specific marine-mineral resources.
– Integration with school and college programs, such as awareness drives on yoga for stress reduction among students, in line with CCRAS’s youth engagement.
– Virtual webinars and social media campaigns (via CCRAS platforms) on Ayurvedic preventive measures during monsoon seasons to combat vector-borne diseases.

4. Collaborative and Extension Activities:
– MoU with Datta Meghe Ayurveda College, Hospitals and Research Centre, Maharashtra, for outreach in Shalakyatantra (ENT/Ophthalmology), including community eye/ear health camps using mineral therapies.
– Participation in CCRAS-wide initiatives like the Medico-Ethno-Botanical Survey (MEBS) extensions to coastal Goa, documenting and sharing local knowledge on marine remedies.
– Support for national campaigns, such as AYUSH packages under the National Health Mission, providing outreach on anemia management with mineral-based drugs (e.g., Dhatri Louha).

Impact and Metrics
– Patient Reach: The OPD has served thousands of patients since inception, with outreach camps reaching 500+ individuals annually. Special focus on vulnerable groups like the elderly and coastal workers.
– Personnel Involvement: Led by Dr. H.K. Gupta (Research Officer In-Charge) for mental health outreach and Dr. Sulochana Ganapati Bhat (Assistant Director) for public health programs. Supported by pharmacists, nurses, and yoga instructors.
– Accreditation Alignment: NABH AYUSH entry-level hospital status (April 8, 2025 – April 7, 2027) ensures quality in outreach services, with feedback mechanisms for community impact assessment.

Future Plans
RARIM&MMR aims to expand outreach through mobile clinics and digital platforms by 2026, targeting 10+ camps per year and integrating AI for Prakruti assessments in community settings. These efforts contribute to CCRAS’s goal of making Ayurveda accessible nationwide.

Month	Events
April2025	1.Brainstorming Session on “Exploration of the Preventive and Promotive P " 2.Training of the Trainers (ToT) for the Implementation of ICD-11 and TM Module-2 in sync. With NAMASTE Portal in Ayush Sector"otential of Ritu Shodhana”
May2025	1. Conducted Online inspection meeting for consideration of Regional Ayurveda Research Institute for Mineral and Marine Medicinal Resources, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (RARIM & MMR, CCRAS), Ribandar, Goa as a place of Doctoral Research by DMIHER (DU),wardha 2. Attended and organised"One Day Countdown Program" for the #11thinternational day of yoga following,Yogathon 4.0 Rally for Yoga with BSP's Gomantak Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya and Research Centre,Shiroda, Around 230 participants attended the event on 15/5/25.Yogathon 4.0
June 2025	On the eve of celebration of International Day of Yoga under yoga samavesh 2025, conducted Yoga practice sessions for all office staff. It is beneficial for physical and mental well-being at work place. under yoga samavesh ,Shri.Dnyaneshwar Patil Acting PrincipalSwami Brahmanand Mahavidyalaya Tapobhoomi Kundaim Ponda Goa demonstrated yoga. RARIMMMR GOA celebrated the 11^th International Yoga Day at the monumental place in collaboration with INDIA TOURISM GOA and ARCHEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA ,GOA embracing the spirit of wellness and unity.The program was successfully conducted ,around 220participants were present in the event. Program initiated by Shri Shripad Naik, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (North Goa), Union Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy (Govt. of India) , and former Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ministry of Ayush (Govt. Of india)delivered his speech and grace the occasion. Mr.Sadanand gawas ,yoga guru instructed and did yoga
July 2025	Rarimmmr goa conducted it's 1st IEC meeting on 30/7/25 under the guidance of institute incharge Dr. G.V Ramana R.O(Ay). As a Principal investigator Dr. Nandini Jadhav R.O (Ay )did ppt presentations on 4 projects. during the institutional ethical committee meeting held in conference room of the institute. Dr.Sudha kumari.k.g R.O (Ay )coordinated the meeting.
August 2025	World Organ Donation Day 21 st -29 th Sports week Swachhata activity
Septembrr 2025	1. PoshanMaah-Related Activity 2. Hindi karyanvayan Samiti 3. Hindi Pakhwada 4. Ayurveda Day 2025 celebration, 5. Sashaktnari sashakt pariwar 6. Ekbharat shresht bharat