As per ancient Indian texts of Ayurveda, food and drugs are interconnecting perceptions that are vital for human survival and for the prevention and mitigation of diseases. The historical perception on health and nutrition in Ayurveda is holistic and quite different from that of modern nutrition. The wisdom contained in these ancient texts, particularly from Charaka Samhita, written by Maharishi Charaka, is matchless. No wonder then, that a number of lifestyle disorders such as hypertension, diabetes can be effectively cured with Ayurveda and food science. We shall explore the possibilities of synergistic endeavour of Ayurveda and Food Science.
The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) defines food science as ’The discipline in which the engineering, biological, and physical sciences are used to study the nature of foods, the causes of deterioration, the principles underlying food processing, and the improvement of foods for the consuming public.’
Hence, if food processing advancement gets added in traditional ayurvedic processing, India can become a big export hub for Ayurvedic food and medicines.
With the increasing demand for traditional medicines and healthcare services over the years, a career in Ayurveda has become a much sought-after career option today. Thus, the Ministry of AYUSH has established many premier institutes that play a pivotal role in undertaking teaching, training, research and development in the field of Ayurveda. For instance, the National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur, is the premier institute, under the Ministry of AYUSH which has been imparting Ayurveda education, clinical training, and research in the field of Ayurveda. This is the only Ayurveda institute imparting education in all courses of Ayurveda. It recently got the status of Deemed-to-be-University under the De novo category.
Commenting on career developments in Ayurveda sector, Dr Ikshit Sharma, Director, AIMIL Pharmaceuticals, New Delhi, said, “There has been an unprecedented growth in the Ayurveda and Food sector which has opened new, bright career opportunities with golden chances for fast progress in various dimensions of acceptance by international society for therapeutic and preventive health maintenance particularly in the current pandemic era.”
Dr Sharma added, “This level of acceptance in ayurvedic & food products have motivated and mentored the industries, like AIMIL, to exercise different activities for conforming global standards, namely, new product development, experimental/animal/clinical studies for efficacy, safety and non-toxicity establishment, manufacturing, quality control & assurance, marketing including field operations and technical backup support for field activities, licensing and documentation, exports, trademarks, quality raw material procurement etc. Thus, there remains a high demand for those seeking fast career developments may be as experts in various concerned disciplines on one hand and as freshers for regular employment, aspiring to develop concerned skills on the other hand.”
Promoting academic research & entrepreneurship
To promote entrepreneurship leveraging academic knowledge, All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), has set up an Incubation and Innovation Centre in its campus to nucleate a cluster of new age ventures. AIIA has been recognised as Host Institute (HI) under Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), the Government of India which would provide opportunities to the innovators in developing and nurturing their ideas.
The incubation centre set up under the mandate of Ministry of AYUSH given to AIIA will nucleate a cluster of new age ventures and to promote entrepreneurship leveraging the academic knowledge.
In another step to promote academic research, the Ministry of Ayush has entered into an agreement with Croatia. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) and Croatia’s Kvarner Health Tourism Cluster as a significant step towards bolstering India’s ties with other countries and promoting academic research, clinical and educational activities, medical education, training, and competency building.
The countries will be working on research, including study design and execution, developing evidence-based guidelines for integrating Ayurvedic principles and practices with modern medicine, conducting lectures, workshops, seminars and conferences, and other activities on Ayurveda.
Both the countries will develop academic standards and courses in accordance with the needs of the institution, end users and stakeholders and develop Ayurvedic medical education guidelines for Ayurveda education in Croatia.
Enhancing Ayurveda food research ecosystem
The research and innovation in healthcare has started gaining fast prominence with the onset of global pandemic. The pandemic has accelerated the demand for Ayurveda products in India.
With more and more people turning to complementary and alternative medicine and integrative solutions, Ayurveda offers a unique opportunity for career advancement in the new age which is unfolding.
Vikas Chawla, Founder & Director, Vedas Cure, Noida, Uttar Pradesh said, “All Ayurveda treatments are recommended on the daily nutritional intake (Aahar) and lifestyle (Prahar) of an individual. This makes it all more important to enhance the Ayurveda food research ecosystem. Even in our ancient texts like Atharva veda, there are case studies and tips on manner, quantity, and quality of food intake as per age, weather and build of a person. This massive and valuable knowledge needs to be imparted to the youth as well as children in schools. It will not only make professions like nutritionists, dieticians and food experts more popular but will give an edge to our ancient science on a global level.”
“India,in association with the UK, has begun clinical trials for Ayurveda herbs like the utility of Ashwagandha in treatment of COVID-19. The food research ecosystem can also be enhanced at academic level with sensitising sessions, workshops, seminars which the Ministry of AYUSH has already initiated after duly examining the immense scope it can bring for students and youth.”
Global impact of Ayurveda
There has been an increased global interest in alternative systems of medicines. Efforts to monitor and regulate herbal medicines are underway. Recognising the strength of alternative systems of medicine, the state governments have employed AYUSH providers in public health dispensaries and outpatient clinics.
To address the scarcity of trained medical staff in India, the Government of India, under the Ministry of Skill Development has introduced many Ayurveda and dietician courses. The courses have not only opened up many employment opportunities for the practitioners but have also enhanced to bridge the gap between the patient and the doctor. Thanks to governmental initiatives, courses in Ayurveda and its positive impact will continue to spread the ancient wisdom of Sanatan Vedic texts, of which Ayurveda is a major pillar.
Pooja Yadav
pooja.yadav@mmactiv.com