Private participation sought in promoting ayurveda

KOLKATA - Food Processing Industries Minister Subodh Kant Sahay Monday called for increased participation from the private sector in the growth and development of ayurveda as an alternative system of medicine.

Speaking at the Botanicals in Integrated Health Care Convention 2010 here, Sahay said: “We need to fortify the resources for the development of ayurveda and for that purpose private participation is important. Along with the government initiatives private players need to play an active role”.

The three-day international convention, which began Sunday, focuses on bringing ayurveda into mainstream medical practices for its high degree of efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

The convention is being attended by representatives of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries along with 300 delegates from various fields like conservation, herbal drug industry, marketing, research and development.

Satyanand Nath Jana received the Motivation Award for Cultivation of Medicinal Plants in Memory of Jagadish Chandra Bose. He has been cultivating various rare species of medicinal plants for the past 25 years.