A Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Ministry of Ayush,
Government of India, and the Department of Science and Technology (DST),
Ministry of Science and Technology & Earth Sciences, to identify potential
areas of research to explore cooperation, convergence, and synergy for
evidence-based scientific intervention in the Ayush sector and further
application of these into the public health care system.
The MoU was
signed by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, and Dr. Srivari
Chandrasekhar, Secretary, DST, in the presence of senior officials from both departments.
“Traditional
knowledge and modern science are joining hands, especially in health sciences.
When we bring scientists and medical practitioners of Ayush together, we are
sure we will come up with solutions, which will be available at affordable
prices. I hope this becomes one of the finest programmes in the country,” Dr.
Srivari Chandrasekhar, Secretary, DST, said.
On this
occasion, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha thanked DST for their commitment to work with the
Ayush Ministry in the development of new medicines and also a validation of
mechanistic aspects of therapeutics.
The pact
provides for the joint undertaking of R&D activities on scientific validation
of Ayush concepts, procedures, and products, creates a platform for information exchange and brings about the application of modern science toward understanding Ayush-related basic concepts and principles.
The Ministry
of Ayush would identify thrust areas involving Ayush-related systems that
require an understanding of the basic concepts, procedures, development of newer
tools, and so on in modern sciences. Meanwhile, DST, through the Science and
Engineering Research Board (SERB), would coordinate the implementation of
thrust areas through well-chartered plans and mutually concerted actions.
Partnerships
with industry, R&D organizations (public/private), and government
agencies/departments would be strongly encouraged. Further, the MoU will also
focus on special calls for proposals under Ayush-related R&D activities
solicited from the individual or group of National scientists who are actively
engaged in research and technology development in academic institutions,
research organizations, government agencies, and industries.
