JAMMU: Dr. Nuzhat Bashir Shah today took over as the Director of Ayush, Jammu & Kashmir, becoming the first woman to lead the Directorate.
With a distinguished career in the Ayush sector, Dr. Nuzhat has served the department in various capacities, including as District Ayush Officer, Anantnag, and Deputy Director Ayush, contributing significantly to the promotion and strengthening of traditional medicine in the region.
Dr. Nuzhat Bashir has played a pivotal role in several landmark initiatives. She was one of the key officers instrumental in organizing the International Day of Yoga at SKICC, Srinagar, in 2024, a historic event graced by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
Her dedication and leadership were also evident in her role as the Nodal Officer for the Shri Amarnath Yatra since 2021, ensuring the successful establishment of Ayush Medical Camps and Yoga Camps along the Yatra route to provide holistic healthcare to pilgrims.
Additionally, her contributions to organizing Yoga and Ayush camps during the G20 Summit in Srinagar in 2023 were widely appreciated, reinforcing J&K’s commitment to traditional wellness practices on a global platform.
As she assumes office, Dr Nuzhat has outlined a progressive vision for the Ayush sector in Jammu & Kashmir. Her focus will be on expanding Ayush healthcare services across the Union Territory, strengthening Ayush Health and Wellness Centres, and enhancing the integration of Ayush with mainstream healthcare. She is committed to promoting yoga, naturopathy, and other traditional healing practices among the masses while ensuring their accessibility at grassroots levels.
A strong advocate for the development of the medicinal plants sector, Dr. Bashir aims to facilitate the cultivation and sustainable extraction of high-value medicinal plants, supporting farmers and entrepreneurs engaged in this field.
Accordingly, an Introductory meeting was held at Directorate of Ayush, J&K Office Jammu which was attended by Deputy Director Ayush, Jammu Dr Suresh Sharma, Assistant Directors of Directorate of Ayush, J&K Dr Rakesh Kumar Raina and Dr Sujad Hussain Shuja, Chief Accounts Officer Sonam Singh, Medical Superintendent Govt Ayurvedic Hospital, Jammu Dr Vandana Dogra, Dy Medical Superintendent Dr Aruna Bhat, District Ayush Officers Udhampur and Samba Dr Surekha Pandita and Dr Renu Das and all the staff of Directorate of Ayush, J&K and National Ayush Mission.
The staff hoped that with her extensive experience and commitment to the sector, Dr Nuzhat Bashir would lead the Directorate of Ayush, J&K, towards a new era of growth and innovation, ensuring that traditional medicine and wellness practices reach every corner of the Union Territory.
