Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: 9th National Ayurveda Day
Why in the News?
- On the occasion of the 9th Ayurveda Day, Prime Minister will launch several healthcare projects valued at Rs 12,850 crore.
- The focal theme for Ayurveda day-2024 has been decided as ‘Ayurveda Innovations for Global Health’.
About Ayurveda:
|
Details |
| Origins |
• Rooted in four Vedas (5000–1000 BCE).
• References in Ramayana and Mahabharata epics.
• Fully developed by 1000 BCE with Charaka Samhita and Susruta Samhita. |
| Foundational Texts |
• Brhattrayi (Three Major Treatises):
• Caraka Samhita (internal medicine)
• Susruta Samhita (surgery)
• Astanga Sangraha and Astanga Hrdaya (Vrddha Vagbhata and Vagbhata, 6th-7th century CE).
• Takshashila and Nalanda universities attracted foreign students. |
| Global Influence |
• Spread through Buddhism to Tibetan and Chinese medicine.
• Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans adopted concepts via trade and interactions.
• 8th century CE saw Nagarjuna study medicinal use of metals. |
| Integration of Modern Techniques |
• 16th century saw inclusion of modern diagnostics and treatment for new diseases. |
| Revival in India (19th-20th Cent.) |
• 1827: First Ayurveda course at Government Sanskrit College, Calcutta.
• 20th Century: Ayurveda colleges spread under regional patronage.
• 1970s: Ayurveda revived, with academic research, publications, and global symposia. |
| Current Status |
• Structured undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral education.
• Strong network of practitioners and manufacturers.
• Developed infrastructure for community outreach. |
| Global Influence |
24 countries recognize Ayurveda legally.
Collaborative platforms include:
• SCO Expert Working Group on Traditional Medicine
• BIMSTEC Taskforce on Traditional Medicine
• BRICS High-Level Forum on Traditional Medicine.
• Ayurveda products exported to 100+ countries. |
| WHO Standards and Milestones |
• ICD-11 Integration: WHO included Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani in ICD-11 TM Module 2.
• WHO set global standards for practice and training.
• GCTM, Jamnagar (Gujarat): Focuses on Ayurveda research, education, and practice. |
| Philosophical Foundations |
• Historical evidence dates to the first millennium BCE.
• Knowledge passed from gods to sages and then to human physicians.
• Central concepts align with Samkhya, Vaisheshika, Buddhism, and Jainism.
• Emphasis on balance and maintaining natural urges. |
|
Initiatives and Programs by the Govt.
- National Ayush Mission (2014): Aimed at promoting the development and growth of Ayush systems (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) in the country, focusing on strengthening educational institutions and enhancing the quality of services.
- Ayurveda Research Portal (2021): Promotes research in Ayurveda by providing a digital platform for researchers, practitioners, and institutions to access data, funding opportunities, and collaborative initiatives.
- Ayush Grid (2020): A digital initiative aimed at enhancing the accessibility of Ayush services and information through online platforms, connecting practitioners, patients, and educational institutions.
PYQ:
[2019] How is the Government of India protecting traditional knowledge of medicine from patenting by pharmaceutical companies? |
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