The Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI), Bengaluru — designated as a Centre of Excellence in Madhumeha (Diabetes Mellitus) by the Ministry of AYUSH — will mark World Diabetes Day 2025 with a special programme, “Madhumeha Vimarsha.”
The event will showcase the Centre’s ongoing research, clinical services, and outreach initiatives focused on developing an integrative Ayurveda-Yoga-lifestyle model for diabetes prevention and management. So far, the Institute has served nearly 6,000 patients, with over 25% belonging to Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
CARI has also expanded its digital outreach, benefiting more than 6 lakh people through e-medical records, teleconsultations, SMS alerts, and information shared via its website and social media platforms.
In a significant innovation, the Centre has developed a machine-learning-based predictive system to assess diabetes risk, which has been granted copyright protection. The tool is currently under validation through a web application and will soon be adapted into a mobile app to help individuals monitor and manage their health more effectively.
Speaking ahead of the event, Dr. Sulochana Bhat, Incharge, CARI Bengaluru, said, “Our focus has been on combining traditional wisdom with scientific research to address diabetes in a holistic yet evidence-based manner. The Centre’s initiatives reflect how integrative healthcare can support prevention and improve quality of life for those at risk.”
Collaborative research with CSIR–CFTRI, Mysuru, and IISc Bengaluru is currently underway on selected food products and Ayurvedic formulations. An integrated framework for the prevention and management of Madhumeha has been developed and is awaiting publication, while another study examining the link between Prakriti and diabetic peripheral neuropathy is also under review.
The upcoming event will include lectures by experts, including Prof. (Dr.) G.G. Gangadharan, Former Director of the Ramiah Indic Speciality Ayurveda Restoration Hospital, who will speak on “Holistic Management of Madhumeha.”
The Ministry of Ayush continues to advance research and clinical programmes aimed at creating sustainable, inclusive, and evidence-based solutions for addressing lifestyle-related disorders such as diabetes.