Ayurveda Gyan Naipunya Initiative : Innovation and Evidence-Based Practice

 

 

Ayurveda Gyan Naipunya Initiative Ayurveda Gyan Naipunya Initiative (AGNI), launched by the Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Sciences Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Sciences (CCRAS) under the Ministry of AYUSH, is an endeavour to promote research of Ayurveda practices. It aims to bring a mainstream approach and inculcate evidence-based appraisal through scientifically validating Ayurvedic practices.

 

 

The use of Ayurvedic treatment systems in the Indian subcontinent dates back more than 5000 years. A WHO study states that 80% of the global population employs herbal medicine for primary health treatments. There is a growing trend in the employment of Ayurvedic practices, with more than 90 countries using them. 

 

About Ayurveda Gyan Naipunya Initiative (AGNI)

 

Ayurveda Gyan Naipunya Initiative (AGNI) is a platform to boost research and collaboration among over 500,000 registered Ayurvedic practitioners in India. Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Sciences (CCRAS), under the Ministry of AYUSH, is coined to be the premium research organization that coordinates, develops, and further promotes research for different verticals in Ayurveda.

Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Sciences (CCRAS) has executed these objectives with the help of Ayurveda universities and hospitals by starting the following initiatives:

 

 

1. Scheme for Training in Ayurveda Research for PG Scholars (PG-STAR)

2. Studentship program for Ayurveda Ken for Undergraduate Scholars (SPARK)

3. Scope for Mainstreaming Ayurveda Research in Teaching Professionals (SMART)

 

 

Interested qualified Ayurvedic practitioners wishing to be a part of the Ayurveda Gyan Naipunya Initiative (AGNI) can submit an Expression of Interest on the Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Sciences (CCRAS) website by December 15, 2023. Ayurveda Gyan Naipunya Initiative (AGNI)’s main aim, as listed by Prof. Rabinarayanan Acharya, Director General of Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Sciences (CCRAS), is - “To generate a platform for innovative practices and experiences in various ailments. And promote a culture of evidence-based practice.” A scientific appraisal is paramount when proposing a validation-based system to develop different lines of Ayurveda. 

The Ayurveda Gyan Naipunya Initiative (AGNI) has devised a multi-faceted approach to achieve the above. These objectives are thumb rules for practitioners and the Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Sciences (CCRAS) to ensure a streamlined development of Ayurvedic drugs and research. Listed below are the previously mentioned objectives of the Ayurveda Gyan Naipunya Initiative (AGNI) under the Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Sciences (CCRAS):

 

 

• Establish a platform for Ayurveda practitioners to report innovations and experiences in ailments. 
  

 

• Document successful treatment regimens for said ailments, including procedures and formulations for academic purposes. 
  

 

• Promote collaboration and reporting of evidence-based practice among Ayurveda practitioners. 
  

 

• Create a vast database of interested practitioners through applications. Train professionals in research and clinical practice for capacity building.
  

 

• Bring Ayurveda research under a more mainstream light by scientific and evidence-based validation. 

 

Over half a million registered Ayurveda practitioners follow the available formularies and pharmacopeia of India. The Ayurveda Formulary of India boasts an extensive database of 985 formulations. Researchers also have over 100 monographs of extracts, herbs, and products and an additional 650 pharmacopeial monographs. 

 

These numbers illustrate the potential of Ayurvedic practices as a mainstream line of treatment worldwide. There is a need to tap into Ayurveda's inexhaustible wisdom. Systematic propagation of research clubbed with increased collaboration and sharing of ideas within the Ayurveda community can be a bedrock to make Ayurveda Gyan Naipunya Initiative (AGNI)  a successful campaign. 

 

 

Operational Guidelines for Ayurveda Gyan Naipunya Initiative (AGNI) Enrollment:

 

Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Sciences (CCRAS) has divided the enrollment process into two parts:

 

Part I:

 

• Expression of Interest: Interested practitioners can submit a completed Expression of Interest on the official Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Sciences website. With a consent form, professionals can share their success stories and innovations for ailments. If applying for multiple claims, practitioners should submit a separate expression of interest. At least 10 case studies are necessary as supporting documents for the Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Sciences (CCRAS) claim consideration. 
  

 

• Acknowledgement of the Receipt of Proposals: Practitioners will receive a receipt number based on the category of shared experience from the Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Sciences (CCRAS).
  

 

• Proposal Scrutiny: A Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Sciences (CCRAS)-appointed internal review committee will scrutinise the submissions, prioritising diseased conditions and the quality of evidence.
  

 

 Part II:

 

• Submission of Part II Form: Shortlisted practitioners should submit a detailed case version format (Part II) and present it when requested by the Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Sciences (CCRAS).
  

 

• Brainstorming Session: The committee will hold a brainstorming session for the selected proposals, followed by a phase-wise, closed group meeting with experts in January/February 2024. Participants will receive a certificate of appreciation. A systemic review of selected proposals will be processed for academic and research purposes. 
  

 

• Scientific Validation and Mainstreaming: The Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Sciences (CCRAS), in consultation with NCISM, will document and publish the selected Ayurveda practices. Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Sciences (CCRAS) may conduct further studies for mainstreaming. Ayurvedic practitioners and medical institutes can use the newly available database of published studies.

 

 

Ayurvedic intervention can manage several acute and chronic medical conditions. Employment of traditional practices has also helped combat the adverse side effects of synthetic drugs. Ayurveda Gyan Naipunya Initiative (AGNI) can cause pivotal shifts in spreading Ayurvedic practices worldwide. Visit the official Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Sciences (CCRAS) website to learn further about the Ayurveda Gyan Naipunya Initiative (AGNI) and other initiatives by the Ministry of AYUSH.

 

 

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