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| EDITORIAL |
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| Year : 2023 | Volume
: 7
| Issue : 5 | Page : 1-2 |
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Let’s focus on innovative research on challenging diseases
Rabinarayan Acharya (Vaidya)
Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, New Delhi, India
| Date of Submission | 11-Apr-2023 |
| Date of Acceptance | 18-Apr-2023 |
| Date of Web Publication | 28-Apr-2023 |
Correspondence Address:
Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya
Director General, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, Janakpuri, New Delhi, 110058
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/jras.jras_75_23
How to cite this article:
Acharya R. Let’s focus on innovative research on challenging diseases. J Res Ayurvedic Sci 2023;7, Suppl S1:1-2 |
“The world of medical science has made a lot of progress with the help of research and innovation as well as state-of-the-art technology and equipment, but some diseases, even today, remain a big challenge for us.”
- Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra D. Modi
(Mann Ki Baat, 95th episode)
Mann Ki Baat (MKB) is India’s unique virtually enriched radio program, intended to establish a healthy dialogue on issues of day-to-day governance with the public. It is an initiative of Hon’ble Prime Minister (PM) to inspire the citizens of India and encourage them to express their thoughts and participate in the development of the Nation. Through this unique initiative, the Hon’ble PM has shared his genuine enthusiasm,inspirational views, success stories, expectations and eagerness for the progress and development of the countrymen, science and technologies. Further, his strong belief in the inherent strength of Ayush,i.e., Indian traditional health care systems specifically, Yoga and Ayurveda is also evident from the recent episodes of MKB. His futuristic vision to make Bharat as Viswaguru with the soft power of Indian traditional knowledge started with the formation of independent Ministry of Ayush in 2014. This has further invited scientists’ attention in the field of Ayush on a global platform and further strengthened the resolve to popularize our traditional medical systems. In the preceding years of Covid-19 the significance of Ayush, specifically Ayurveda, has emerged as a unique way to prevent and manage lifestyle-related disease, as well as emerging new illnesses. A large population in India, especially in rural areas, still utilize Ayurveda as primary and preventive healthcare medicine. Hon’ble PM in MKB has urged to elucidate Ayurveda principles to the world in a scientific manner and explore the knowledge, potential, and further application of Ayurveda, Yoga and tribal folk medicine especially in treating lifestyle-related and challenging diseases.[1]
Ayurveda has a lot to offer in wellness and healthcare delivery owing to its distinctive fundamental concepts, in diagnostics and management of ailments which can bring significant impact on prevention and management of lifestyle related diseases, recalcitrant illness, chronic diseases, emerging new diseases, and strengthening the immunity which is part of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). There is an urgent need of integrative research programs involving various disciplines alongwith Ayurveda in a symbiotic way to generate research evidence which will lead to integrative medicine and health care. Ethnopharmacology, Botanical drug development, Observational therapeutics, Ayurvedic pharmaco-epidemiology, Reverse pharmacology, Ayusoft, Ayurgenomics, Rasayana, Systems Biology, and others have emerged over the past few years because of the results and unique lessons learned through network endeavors.[2] ‘Evidence Based Research’ with robust study designs compliant to Ayurveda fundamentals is the ‘need of the hour’. The MKB talk is really proving to be a revitalizing move to regain the awareness and interest about our traditional medicine practices among masses. The MKB mentions, of a successful recovery of a case suffering from Muscular Dystrophy and its treatment with physiotherapy, electrotherapy, hydrotherapy, and Yoga-Pranayama; and the contribution of Ayurveda during the Corona Virus Pandemic.[3],[4] Further, the imperative contribution of Ayurveda in ophthalmology is evident through the 86th MKB episode wherein Hon’ble PM has shared the experience of former Kenyan PM Raila Odinga’s daughter, -Rosemary. Her vision was restored to a great extent with the Ayurvedic treatment carried out at an Ayurvedic hospital in Kerala.[5] Further, it was also conveyed that Prince Charles from Britain is also one of the admirers of Ayurveda and aware of many Ayurvedic institutions of India. PM in an episode of MKB, highlighted innovative avenues where agriculture is linked with the field of health, quoting the examples of people like Patayat Sahu ji, from Nandol, Odisha, who had planted medicinal plants on one and a half acres of land. This has created an impetus in villagers to grow medicinal plants in their gardens. We have also witnessed many new start-ups with innovative ideas in the field of Ayurveda in the last few years. It is further emphasized to increase the scientific temperament and vigor while exploring traditional medicine. Such assertive efforts will surely aid in envisioning Ayurveda as a part of mainstream medicine in India and various parts of the world. As we are approaching the deadline of 2030 for achieving the SDGs, the coming years will be of “action” for all of us and Ayush too. Concrete and innovative steps must be undertaken for exploring the treasure of Ayurveda in the treatment of challenging and emerging diseases in coming years. And this will be a real compliment to the vision of Honorable PM i.e. ancient wisdom clubbed with latest advancements of science & technology to make it evidence based for wider acceptability to mankind in facing newer health challenges.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
| References | |  |
| 1. | Mann Ki Baat- 63rd Episode. Available at https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/pms-address-in-the-11th-episode-of-mann-ki-baat-2-0/ [Last accessed on 04 Apr 2023 at 12.30 PM]  |
| 2. | Patwardhan B The quest for evidence-based Ayurveda: lessons learned. Current Science, 2012;102(10):1406-17 |
| 3. | Mann Ki Baat- 95th Episode. Available at https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/pms-address-in-the-95th-episode-of-mann-ki-baat/. [Last accessed on 04 Apr 2023 at 03.40 PM] |
| 4. | Mann Ki Baat- 91st Episode. Available at https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/pms-address-in-the-91st-episode-of-mann-ki-baat/ [Last accessed on 04 Apr 2023 at 01.30 PM] |
| 5. | Mann Ki Baat- 86th Episode. Available at https://newsonair.gov.in/Mann-ki-Baat-Script/mann-ki-baat-86th-Episode-english.pdf/ [Last accessed on 14 Apr 2023 at 17.30 PM] |
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