Gaf 2021

Nirog Health Tips

Wellness Tips for Common Aliments During Winter

It is very common during the winter and monsoon seasons for us to be more susceptible to various infections. According to Ayurveda, a year is divided into 2 kaalas i.e., Uttaryana and Dakshinayana. Each kaala consists of 3 seasons, and so 6 seasons per year with each season persisting for about 2 months. Uttaryana Kaala (14 January to 14 July) Shishir Ritu (Winter) Mid- January to Mid- March Vasant Ritu (Spring) Mid- March to Mid-May Grishma Ritu (Summer) Mid- May to Mid- July Dakshinayana Kaala (14 July to 14 January) Varsha Ritu (Monsoon) Mid- July to Mid- September Sharad Ritu (Autumn/ Fall) Mid- September to Mid- November Hemant Ritu (Late Autumn/Pre-Winter) Mid- November to Mid- January Out of these 6 seasons, Shishir Ritu (winter) extending from Mid-January to Mid-March is a period that remains cold and windy. Ritusandhi: 'Ritu' means season and 'Sandhi' means junction. It Is a junctional period consisting of the last 7 days of the previous season and the first 7 days of the next season. During this period, our body is prone to infections. The common ailments which occur during the winter season are: Common Cold: A common cold is an upper respiratory tract infection caused mainly by viruses. It mainly affects children, old aged people and other immune-compromised individuals. The symptoms include throat irritation, cough with or without phlegm, running nose, sneezing, watery eyes, headache and a low-grade fever. Stomach Flu: Stomach flu can spread rapidly during the winter season and is caused by the Norovirus. In this condition, there is an ongoing inflammation of the mucosal lining of the stomach. It can be easily transmitted through food and drinks and through feco-oral contamination. The symptoms include nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhoea and stomach cramps. The person may also feel chills, headaches, fatigue and muscle aches. Extreme Dry Skin: Dry skin also known as winter skin, is usually worsened during the winter season when the environmental humidity is very low. This is because of the cold and dry air which evaporates the water content of the skin very quickly, making it dry and tight. Skin can be prone to inflammations during this period. Asthma: Asthma is a condition in which the airway becomes narrow and inflamed, leading to difficulty in breathing, cough and wheezing. For some Individuals, these symptoms may flare up during the winter season. The cold dry air can irritate the airways, producing more mucus and increasing the symptoms. Also, the cold environment can worsen airway constriction. Flu: Flu is commonly mistaken for a common cold but both are different. It is a common viral infection that can be even life-threatening in highly vulnerable groups. It affects the lungs, throat and nose. Flu commonly affects younger and older populations and also people who have reduced immunity or other underlying chronic conditions. Symptoms include high fever, chills, sore throat, nausea, swollen lymph nodes and headache. Wellness Tips for Winter Ailments Practice Good Personal Hygiene: Practising good personal hygiene is one of the most important ways to protect yourself from getting infectious diseases such as stomach flu, common cold and flu. It also helps to prevent the spread of infection from yourself to the next person. Yogic Kriyas: Practising yogic kriyas such as Jala neti will help to remove the excess mucous from the upper respiratory tract and help in the proper airflow without any obstruction. Thus it also helps in asthmatic conditions and alleviates congestion, allergies and cold. It should be practised under the guidance of a proper Yoga trainer. Care should be taken to blow the nostril properly after the practice to avoid headaches. Herbal Remedies Basil: Basil has good antiseptic and antiviral properties and is recommended for viral infections like the common cold and flu. It also helps to liquefy the phlegm and is effective for cough and Asthma. It can be added as a topping to soups and sauces Turmeric: Turmeric has a great antiviral property and acts effectively against the influenza virus. It is also rich in antioxidants and has an anti-inflammatory property. Dietary Measures Vitamin C Rich Foods: Taking Vitamin C rich food is essential for the repair of the tissues. It helps to improve the production of white blood cells and fights against infection. Vitamin C rich foods include Amla, strawberries, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, pepper, citrus fruits like lemon, orange. Probiotics: Probiotics reduces the possibility of getting upper respiratory tract infections. They help to keep the immune system healthy. It includes buttermilk, fermented rice water, pickled vegetables, kefir etc. Stay Hydrated: Having a sufficient amount of warm water will help to maintain the moisture content of the skin. Hot Soups: Soups are a great diet to be added to our winter menu. This can be further enhanced by using various herbs and spices which are good for winters such as rosemary, oregano, ginger, garlic, pepper, cumin etc. Exercise: Moderate exercise is extremely important to keep our metabolism high. We can get into cardio or yoga practices that help to elevate the body heat and to improve heart functions so that the circulation can be improved to different parts of the body. (Dr Manoj Kutteri, Wellness Director, Atmantan Wellness Centre) Read More► Understanding The Need of Nail Hygiene After Covid
Ayurveda Street

राष्ट्रीय आयुर्वेद संस्थान में मनाया गया राष्ट्रीय आयुर्वेद दिवस 2021

राष्ट्रीय आयुर्वेद संस्थान, जयपुर ने 'पोषण के लिए आयुर्वेद' थीम (विषय) के अनुरूप स्वास्थ्य और उपचार के आयुर्वेदिक सिद्धांतों को प्रोत्साहित करने के लिए दो दिवसीय कार्यक्रम की मेजबानी करके छठा राष्ट्रीय आयुर्वेद दिवस मनाया। कार्यक्रम की शुरुआत धनवंतरी पूजन से हुई। भारत पारंपरिक चिकित्सा का वैश्विक केंद्र बनने का प्रयास कर रहा है और आयुष के क्षेत्र में प्रगति करने के लिएदेश में राज्यों और केंद्र सरकार के बीच सहयोग बढ़ रहा है। कार्यक्रम में मुख्य अतिथि के रूप में अपने संबोधन मेंकेंद्रीय आयुष मंत्री श्री सर्बानंद सोनोवाल ने पंचकुला, हिमाचल प्रदेश में स्थित राष्ट्रीय आयुर्वेद संस्थान (एनआईए) के उपग्रह केंद्र के बुनियादी ढांचे के विस्तार के लिए 260 करोड़ जारी करने की घोषणा की। केंद्रीय आयुष,पत्तन, पोत परिवहन और जलमार्ग मंत्री श्री सर्बानंद सोनोवाल ने इस अवसर पर कहा, “आयुर्वेद आम जनता के बीच शारीरिक और मानसिक दोनों रूप से रोग मुक्त, स्वस्थ और लंबे जीवन जीने की आवश्यकता और महत्व के बारे में जागरूकता बढ़ाने में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभा सकता है। स्वस्थ जीवन शैली को बनाए रखने और भारत में गैर-संचारी रोगों के बोझ को कम करने में आयुर्वेद में महत्वपूर्ण योगदान देने की क्षमता है। आयुर्वेद उपचार की ताकत के बारे में जागरूकता बढ़ाने की तत्काल आवश्यकता है क्योंकि भारत में आयुर्वेद शास्त्र के अभ्यास के प्राचीन गौरवशाली इतिहास के साथ-साथ पौधों पर आधारित दवाओं के लिए एक समृद्ध संसाधन है। एनआईए की जबरदस्त उपलब्धियों को ध्यान में रखते हुए, आयुष मंत्रालय ने पंचकुला में एनआईए के बुनियादी ढांचे का विस्तार करने के लिए एनआईए को 260 करोड़ रुपये जारी किए गए हैं और उम्मीद है कि एनआईए विश्व स्तर पर आयुर्वेद के अभ्यास का महिमामंडन करेगा।” केंद्रीय आयुष, महिला और बाल कल्याण राज्य मंत्री डॉ. मुंजपारा महेंद्रभाई कालूभाई ने कहा, “कोविड महामारी ने स्वस्थ जीवन जीने के लिए सेहत और निवारक देखभाल के महत्व पर जोर दिया है। हमें दुनिया को आयुर्वेद की जबरदस्त क्षमता दिखाने पर ध्यान केंद्रित करने की जरूरत है। आज दुनिया के कई देश भी इलाज और इलाज के लिए आयुर्वेद की ओर देख रहे हैं। वर्तमान पीढ़ी को रोग मुक्त, स्वस्थ जीवन शैली जीने के लिए आहार के आयुर्वेद सिद्धांत को बनाए रखना चाहिए।" राजस्थान के चिकित्सा शिक्षा, स्वास्थ्य और भारतीय चिकित्सा प्रणाली मंत्री डॉ. रघु शर्मा ने कहा, “आयुर्वेद राजस्थान और इसकी संस्कृति का अभिन्न अंग है। हम सदियों से इसका अभ्यास कर रहे हैं। कुपोषण और गतिहीन जीवन शैली से प्रेरित गैर संचारी रोगों के मुद्दे पर ध्यान देने के लिए इस वर्ष की थीम ‘पोषण के लिए आयुर्वेद’ से अधिक कुछ और प्रासंगिक नहीं हो सकता है। लोगों के जीवन में बदलाव लाने के लिए विषय पर पूरे देश में चर्चा होनी चाहिए और इसके लिए हमें इस क्षेत्र में अनुसंधान को मजबूत करना चाहिए। उन्होंने यह भी आश्वासन दिया कि राजस्थान की राज्य सरकार राष्ट्रीय आयुर्वेद संस्थान को क्षमताओं और संसाधनों के निर्माण एवं मजबूती के लिए हर संभव मदद देगी तथा राजस्थान को आयुर्वेद के क्षेत्र में एक वैश्विक गंतव्य बनाने की राह पर बढ़ना जारी रखेगी। जयपुर शहर के सांसद श्री रामचरण बोहरा ने कहा, "आयुष्मान भारत के तहत राजस्थान को आयुर्वेद का अभ्यास करने में विशेष मान्यता की आवश्यकता है और राष्ट्रीय आयुर्वेद संस्थान आयुर्वेद अनुसंधान के क्षेत्र का नेतृत्व करेगा।" आयुष मंत्रालय के सचिव वैद्य राजेश कोटेचा ने कहा, “आयुष के तहत उत्कृष्टता केंद्र पथ-प्रदर्शक कार्य कर रहा है। इसके महत्व को जेएनयू में भी जीव विज्ञान विषय के हिस्से के रूप में आयुर्वेद को शामिल करने के साथ पूरे देश में परिलक्षित किया गया है। महत्वपूर्ण दस्तावेज और फिल्में भी रिलीज की गईं। आशा है कि इस आयोजन से आम जनता को अपने स्वास्थ्य और कल्याण को बनाए रखने में लाभ होगा। हम आयुर्वेद को गैर-संचारी रोगों के उपचार के क्षेत्र में सबसे विश्वसनीय और प्रभावी उपचार के रूप में स्थापित करने के अपने मिशन के लिए प्रतिबद्ध हैं।" राष्ट्रीय आयुर्वेद संस्थान के निदेशक और कुलपति प्रो. संजीव शर्मा ने कहा, “छठे राष्ट्रीय आयुर्वेद दिवस के समारोहों कोसफलतापूर्वक आयोजित करने पर हम वास्तव में खुश और गर्व महसूस कर रहे हैं। राष्ट्रीय आयुर्वेद संस्थान, जयपुर ने इस दो दिवसीय कार्यक्रम का आयोजन हर्षोल्लास और उत्साह के साथ किया तथा लोगों ने कई ज्ञानपूर्ण पहलों में भाग लिया और मंत्रियों, नीति निर्माताओं, प्रशासकों तथान केवल आयुर्वेद बल्कि अन्य क्षेत्रों के विद्वानों ने भी इसकी सराहना की।” इस कार्यक्रम में दैनिक दिनचर्या वाली एक पुस्तिका ‘आयुर्वेद स्वास्थ्य समीक्षा’; एक दूसरी पुस्तिका ‘पोषण के लिए आयुर्वेद’ का विमोचन किया गया; बच्चों और वयस्कों के लिए उपयुक्त एनआईए न्यूट्री कुकीज पेश किए गए; और तीन दुर्लभ प्रकाशनों के डिजीटल संस्करण भी जारी किए गए। इन प्रकाशनों में -आचार्य भट्टर हरिचंद्र की चरक-न्यासा कमेंट्री के साथ चरक संहिता एवं आचार्य स्वामीकुमार की चरक-पंजिका;  आचार्य ज्योतिष चंद्र सरस्वती द्वारा 20वीं सदी में लिखी गयी चरक प्रदीपिका कमेंट्री के साथ चरक संहिता और निश्चल कर के रत्नप्रभा एवं तत्त्वचद्रिका के साथ लिखी गयी चक्रदत्ता शामिल हैं। इसके अलावा, इस अवसर पर कई शॉर्ट वीडियो, सीसीआरएएस प्रकाशनों और फिल्मों के साथ एक विशेष पांडुलिपि वेबसाइट पोर्टल शुरू किया गया। रोगी देखभाल संबंधी अनुसंधान के लिए महावीर जयपुरिया अस्पताल और राष्ट्रीय आयुर्वेद संस्थान के बीच एक समझौता ज्ञापन पर हस्ताक्षर किए गए। इस कार्यक्रम में 15 देशों के आयुर्वेद के छात्रों ने भी भाग लिया। कार्यक्रम में उपस्थित अन्य अतिथियों में आयुष के सलाहकार वैद्य श्री मनोज नेसारी, विशेष सचिव श्री प्रमोद कुमार पाठक और आयुष मंत्रालय के महानिदेशक एवं अधीनस्थ संस्थानों के प्रमुख शामिल थे। यह भी पढ़े► आयुर्वेद आधारित पौष्टिक आहार पर आयुष मंत्रालय आज जारी करेगा वीडियो, लघु फिल्म और पुस्तिका
Ayurveda News

National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur

Budget of Rs. 260 crores given for expanding the infrastructure of NIA’s satellite centre of Panchkula, Himachal Pradesh. The National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur commemorated 6th National Ayurveda Day by hosting a two-day event to encourage the Ayurvedic principles of wellness and healing in alignment with the theme, ‘Ayurveda for Poshan’. The event started with Dhanwantri Poojan. India is striving to become the global centre for traditional medicine and there is increasing collaboration between states and central government to make advancements in field of AYUSH. Speaking as the chief guest of the programme, Union Minister of AYUSH, Shri Sarbanand Sonowal announced release of Rs. 260 crores for expanding the infrastructure of NIA’s satellite centre of Panchkula, Himachal Pradesh. Shri Sarbanand Sonowal, Union Minister of Ayush, Ports, Shipping & Waterways said on the occasion, “Ayurveda can play an important role in raising awareness among the general public about the necessity and importance of leading a disease-free, healthy and long life, both physical and mental. The potential of Ayurveda in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and how it can contribute significantly to lower the burden of non-communicable diseases in India is immense. There is an urgent need to raise awareness about the strength of Ayurveda treatment as India has a rich resource for plant-based medicines along with an ancient glorious history of practicing Ayurveda Shashtra. Considering the tremendous achievements of NIA, Ministry of Ayush has decided to expand the infrastructure of NIA at Panchkula and Rs. 260 crore have been released to NIA and it is hoped that NIA will glorify the practice of Ayurveda globally.” Dr. Munjpara Mahendrabhai Kalubhai, Union Minister of State for Ayush, Women & Child Welfare said, “The Covid pandemic has amply emphasized on the importance of wellness and preventive care in order to live a healthy life. We need to focus showcasing the tremendous potential of Ayurveda to the world. Today, many first world countries are also looking up to Ayurveda for treatment and cure. The current generation should uphold the Ayurveda principle of diet to lead a disease-free, healthy lifestyle.” Dr. Raghu Sharma, Rajasthan’s Minister for Medical Education, Health and Indian Systems of Medicine said, “Ayurveda is integral to Rajasthan and it's culture. We have been practicing it for ages. This year's theme, Ayurveda for Poshan couldn't be more relevant to address the issue of malnutrition and sedentary lifestyle induced NCDs. The theme should resonate across the country to bring about a change in people's lives and for this we should strengthen the research in this field.” minster also reassured that the state government of Rajasthan will extend all help to National Institute of Ayurveda to build and strengthen capacities and resources and continue on the path to make Rajasthan a global attraction in the field of Ayurveda. Shri Ramcharan Bohra, Member of Parliament from Jaipur City, said “Rajasthan needs a special recognition in practicing Ayurveda under Ayushman Bharat and National Institute of Ayurveda will lead the field of Ayurveda research”. Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush said, “Centre of Excellences under AYUSH has been doing path breaking work. The importance of same has been reflected across the country with inclusion of Ayurveda as part of Biology subject in JNU also. We also witnessed the release of important documents and films. It is hoped that this event will benefit the general public in maintaining their health and well-being. We are committed to our mission in establishing Ayurveda as one of the most reliable and effective form of treatments in the area of treating non-communicable diseases as well." Prof. Sanjeev Sharma, Director and Vice-Chancellor of National Institute of Ayurveda said, “We are really happy and proud to be able to successfully organize the events celebrating the 6th National Ayurveda Day. National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur organized this two-day event with gaiety and enthusiasm and the series of insightful initiatives were attended and well appreciated by the Ministers, Policy Makers, Administrators, Scholars not only from Ayurveda but from other fields as well.” The event saw the release of Ayurveda Swasthya Samiksha, a handbook containing daily routines, Ayurveda for Poshan, a booklet, NIA Nutri Cookies suitable for children and adults, digitized versions of three rare publications: the Charaka Samhita with Charaka-Nyasa commentary of Acharya Bhattar Harichandra & Charak-Panjika of Acharya Swamikumar,, Charaka Samhita with Charaka Pradipika commentary written in the early 20th Century by Acharya Jyotish Chandra Saraswati  and Chakradutta with Ratnaprabha of Nishchala Kar and Tattvachadrika. In addition, a special manuscript website portal was launched along with short videos, CCRAS publications and films on the occasion. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Mahavir Jaipuriya Hospital and National Institute of Ayurveda for research in patient care. The event was also attended by students of Ayurveda from 15 countries. The other guests present at the event were Advisor to AYUSH, Vaidya Shri Manoj Nesari, Special Secretary Pramod Kumar Pathak along with DGs and head of institutes of AYUSH ministry. Read More► Ministry of Ayush to Release Videos, Short Film, Booklet on Benefits of Ayurveda-Based Nutritious Diet
CoronaVirus Updates

Police Commemoration Day 2021 to be dedicated to 'Covid warriors'

<br>All security personnel, who have been engaged in Covid-19 duty from January 2020, have rendered indomitable service to the people of the country wherein more than 85,000 Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel were infected with the virus and 333 personnel succumbed to it, an official said.According to the data published by the Central government on July 26 this year, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) lost 127 personnel while 90 Border Security Force (BSF) troopers died due to the Covid-19 infection.Similarly, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) lost 76, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) 20, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) 17, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) two and National Security Guard (NSG) lost one of its personnel.There were 203 casualties of CAPF troopers till March 23, 2021, during the first wave of the pandemic whereas during second wave in March-April this year, a total of 130 personnel lost their lives due to the Covid-19 infection.The CAPF was also instrumental in setting up various Covid-19 hospitals and care centres, and also rendered medical services with housing and food free of cost.The border guarding force ITBP was assigned by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to set up the first isolation centre at south-west Delhi's Chhawla area. It houses ITBP sector headquarters and was made in just 48 hours prior to arrival of the first batch from Wuhan in China.The 600-bed facility in Delhi to quarantine and provide basic medical care to those suspected to have been affected by Covid-19 infection. This centre received and managed the first batch of 406 people taken from Wuhan in China on February 1 and 2 last year who were discharged after testing Covid negative.The ITBP quarantine facility at Chhawla housed another batch of 112 people on February 27, 2020. These people reached Delhi from Wuhan in China which included 76 Indians and 36 foreign nationals, including eight families and five children. The group of foreign nationals includes 23 from Bangladesh, six from China, two each from Myanmar and Maldives, and one each from Madagascar, South Africa and the US.Special arrangements have been made to host children and women at the facility, an unoccupied residential unit for ITBP personnel.The centre was credited to have successfully quarantined 518 people -- (biggest number at any single quarantine centre in the country till now) who were taken from Wuhan in China.With rising number of Covid-19 cases in Delhi and the National Capital Region, the ITBP was again assigned to manage Asia's largest makeshift Covid care hospital and care centre in South Delhi's Chhatarpur area at Radha Soami Satsang and treat huge numbers of Covid-19 patients. This centre was opened on July 5, 2020 and apart from ITBP, doctors and paramedics from other CAPFs such as BSF and CRPF were roped in providing medical aid to the admitted patients.The 10,000-bed Sardar Patel COVID Care Centre (SPCCC), one of the "largest" such facilities in the world, at the Radha Soami Satsang played a crucial role in the fight against the pandemic. Official data said that the centre was closed on February 23 this year following continuous decline in the number of Covid positive cases in the National Capital Territory of Delhi vis-a-vis adequate availability of medical facilities. This Centre had treated 11,657 Covid patients since its opening last year.While a Covid care centre with 90 beds has been reactivated by the force at the CAPFs referral hospital in Greater Noida, another centre with 200-beds has been started at the ITBP camp in Chhawla where the first batch of Indians and some foreigners returning from Wuhan in China were quarantined last year after the pandemic broke out.A third such facility of 50-60 beds was also set up by the ITBP at its composite hospital in Chandigarh.During the advent of the second wave of Covid-19 in March-April 2021, the SPCCC at Chhatarpur in Delhi was reopened with 500 oxygen beds and ITBP has been again entrusted to run it. As many as 500 oxygen beds and the ITBP was asked to draw the required medical manpower (doctors and paramedics), if needed from other CAPFs.The doctors and paramedics of the CAPF were also part of the other Covid Care hospitals in various parts of the country, including the hospitals run by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in Delhi Cantt and Ahmedabad Covid Care centres provided much needed service to the citizens of the country, said a senior official.Police Commemoration Day is observed every year on October 21 in the memory of security personnel for their supreme sacrifice while performing duties.--IANS<br>ams/khz/pgh
CoronaVirus Updates

US reports highest daily Covid cases since Feb 2021

Washington, Aug 1 (IANS) Amid a resurgence, the US has registered the highest number of single-day Covid-19 cases since February this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in its latest update.According to the update on Saturday, a total of 101,171 new cases were reported across the country on July 30, reports Xinhua news agency.The new figure brought the seven-day average daily increase of cases to 72,493, also the highest since mid February.As of Sunday morning, the country's overall infection tally has increased to 34,974,823, while the death toll stood at 613,133.Covid-19 cases, hospitalisations, and deaths are once again increasing in nearly all US states, fueled by the Delta variant, which is much more contagious than past versions of the virus.The current seven-day average of daily new cases increased 64.1 per cent compared with the previous seven-day data, according to the CDC updateThe current seven-day average of new hospitalised cases, which stood at 5,475, is a 46.3 per cent increase from the previous week, according to the CDC.The seven-day average for new Covid-19 hospital admissions has consistently increased since June 25.Meanwhile, the average daily new deaths have also increased 33.3 per cent compared with the previous week, according to the CDC.The recent surge was driven by the Delta variant, which has been and will continue to be the predominant lineage circulating in the country.The Delta variant has quickly grown from less than 1 per cent of cases in May to more than 80 per cent now, said the CDC on its website.Delta spreads about twice as easily from one person to another than previous strains of the virus, according to the agency.Nationally, the proportion of cases attributed to Delta variant is predicted to increase to 82.2 per cent, according to the CDC.As Covid-19 infections continue to rise nationwide, the CDC has updated its position on masks, urging vaccinated Americans to resume wearing masks in schools and in public indoor spaces in high risk areas across the country.--IANSksk/
Ayurveda News

Research on Ayush Medicines to

During the second wave of this pandemic, AYUSH-64 and Kabasura Kudineer were repurposed for COVID 19 after the robust scientific studies found them useful in asymptomatic, mild and moderate COVID-19 infection as standalone and/or as an adjunct to Standard care as per the studies conducted by Ministry of Ayush in collaboration with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Science and Technology (CSIR & DBT), Department of Science and Technology and reputed scientific organisations and hospitals. However, Govt. of India has released the “National Clinical Management Protocol based on Ayurveda and Yoga for management of COVID-19”. States/ UTs licensing authorities / Drug Controllers has been informed to allow the licensed manufactures for AYUSH-64 under their jurisdiction to include a new indication of AYUSH-64 for repurposing as an intervention for the management of asymptomatic, mild to moderate COVID-19 in addition to existing indication(s). Further, States/ UTs Licensing Authorities have been requested to expedite the process of the licensing/ approval of the application for the manufacturing of AYUSH-64. The Ministry has undertaken the following steps to reduce/ exterminate the effects of COVID-19- 1. Ministry of Ayush has formed an Inter-disciplinary AYUSH Research & Development Task Force chaired by Prof. Bhushan Patwardhan having representation from scientists of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Ayush Institutions. The Interdisciplinary AYUSH Research and Development Task Force has formulated and designed clinical research protocols for prophylactic studies and add-on interventions in COVID-19 positive cases through review and consultative process of experts of high repute from different organizations across the country for studying four different interventions viz. Ashwagandha, Yashtimadhu, Guduchi + Pippali and a polyherbal formulation (AYUSH-64). 2. Ministry of Ayush has also launched interdisciplinary studies involving AYUSH interventions for COVID-19 based on recommendations of the Taskforce. Under various Research Organizations and National Institutes under the Ministry of Ayush, 126 research studies at 152 centres in the country have been initiated on AYUSH interventions. 3. Ministry of Ayush has constituted an Interdisciplinary Technical Review Committee (ITRC) for COVID-19 for the examination of applications/ claims on patent & proprietary ASU&H medicines/ Classical ASU&H medicines forwarded by State Licensing Authorities/ Individuals. This information was given by the Minister of State for Ayush Shri Mahendrabhai Munjapara in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.   (Source - PIB) Read More► Traditional Japanese breakfast may be effective against Covid