Wellness sector is slowly but surely being taken over by individuals who are aware of the dangers of lifestyle diseases. The Covid pandemic is an eyeopener. It has made sure that being healthy is a requirement.
Wellness Then and Now
The origins of wellness in India goes back to Ayurveda which essentially means, ‘The Science of Life’. Currently, the wellness market in India is worth INR 490 Billion. This wellness sector is slowly but surely being taken over by individuals who are aware of the dangers of lifestyle diseases. It is combined with a strong focus on making health a priority rather than an afterthought. Added to this space is the thousands of organisations that address and supply this demand. This shift of Indian thinking is attributed to higher levels of learning and knowledge which are easily available. A second opinion, in many ways, is only a click away. Gone are the days when diabetes was to be found happenstance during a crucial test. Now, easy availability has replaced the scarcity of the past.
The Rise of Wellness
Social media has contributed its share to make wellness a priority. The last decade has boosted the idea of being healthy to a new level. More than just being ‘looking good’, the Indian population has determined that health is not a goal that should be achieved and forgotten. Rather it should be a habit that must be maintained throughout one’s life. This realisation has led to the combination of traditional and modern science. Bringing together the best of the past and the present to create a healthy future.
It is true that at the early stages of the mixture of wellness in India, many were looking for quick fixes and easy tablets. Tablets that could help them lose weight or even cure lifestyle diseases. Wellness has grown out of such beliefs and now is run by research. Indians who demand quality have allowed research-based, fact-checking and accountable organisations to thrive. Added to this is the boost given by the government, wellness is now a national priority. The very existence of the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy) is indicative of the groundwork laid down for decades to come.
The Way Forward
The Covid pandemic is an eyeopener. It has made sure that being healthy is a requirement. It is an opportunity to build health and wellness as the consequences of lacking it are disastrous. The evolution of wellness is really just beginning, it is a journey with many miles ahead. Research will always be the bedrock for Wellness, because it cannot afford anything else to take its place. Wellness organisations and programs modelled around any other motivating factor risks being left by the wayside. This creates competition among the existing organisations to use the best research to create holistic programs. The ultimate winner would always be the Indian customer who has many choices to choose from.
Suhasini Mudraganam
Chief Nutritionist, Possible
