Govt Establishes National Turmeric Board

• National Turmeric Board to increase awareness and consumption of turmeric and develop new markets internationally to increase exports
• Board to promote research and development into new products and develop on our traditional knowledge for value-added turmeric products
• Turmeric exports from India expected to rise to US$ 1 Billion by 2030

India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric in the world. In the year 2022-23, an area of 3.24 lakh have been under turmeric cultivation in India with a production of 11.61 lakh tonnes (over 75% of global turmeric production). More than 30 varieties of Turmeric are grown in India and it is grown in over 20 states in the country. The largest producing states of Turmeric are Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

On Wednesday this week, the Government of India notified the constitution of the National Turmeric Board. The National Turmeric Board will focus on the development and growth of turmeric and turmeric products in the country.

The National Turmeric Board will provide leadership on turmeric related matters, augment the efforts, and facilitate greater coordination with Spices Board and other Government agencies in development and growth of the turmeric sector.

There is significant potential and interest in the world over on the health and wellness benefits of turmeric, which the Board will leverage to further increase awareness and consumption, develop new markets internationally to increase exports, promote research and development into new products, and develop on our traditional knowledge for value-added turmeric products.

The turmeric board will especially focus on capacity building and skill development of turmeric growers for harnessing greater benefits out of value addition. The Board will also promote quality and food safety standards and adherence to such standards. The Board will also take steps to further safeguard and usefully exploit turmeric’s full potential for humanity.

The activities of the Board will contribute towards greater well-being and prosperity of the turmeric growers through their focussed and dedicated attention to the sector and the larger value addition closer to the farms, which would provide better realisation to the growers for their produce.

The Board’s activities into research, market development, increasing consumption, and value addition will also ensure that the country's growers and processors continue to maintain their pre-eminent position in the global markets as exporters of high-quality turmeric and turmeric products.

The Board shall have a Chairperson to be appointed by the Central Government, members from the Ministry of AYUSH, Departments of Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Commerce & Industry of the Union Government, senior State Government representatives from three states (on rotation basis), select national/state institutions involved in research, representatives of turmeric farmers and exporters, and have a Secretary to be appointed by the Department of Commerce.

India has more than 62% share of world trade in turmeric. During 2022-23, 1.534 lakh tonnes of turmeric and turmeric products valued at 207.45 million USD was exported by more than 380 exporters The leading export markets for Indian Turmeric are Bangladesh, UAE, USA and Malaysia. With the focused activities of the Board, it is expected that turmeric exports will reach USD 1 Billion by 2030.

Ayush Ministry To Co-Host 1st-Ever Global Summit on Traditional Medicine

• WHO and the Ministry of Ayush to host the first-ever Global Summit on Traditional Medicine
• The highly anticipated event is set to take place on 17th-18th August at Gandhinagar, Gujarat
• The Global Summit will place India at the forefront of advancing Traditional Medicines: MoS Ayush

A first-of-its-kind global summit on Traditional Medicine, organised by the World Health Organization (WHO) and co-hosted by the Ministry of Ayush, is set to take place on August 17-18, 2023, at 

Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The summit will take into account the vast experience and expertise of the country and this highly anticipated event will serve as a platform for experts and practitioners to delve into the latest scientific advancements and evidence-based knowledge in the sector, with the ultimate goal of ensuring health and well-being for all.

The esteemed Director-General of WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, will inaugurate the event in the presence of Minister of Health Shri Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of Ayush Shri Sarbananda Sonowal. G20 health Ministers, Regional Directors of WHO and eminent invitees from countries across WHO's six regions are expected to grace the event along with scientists, practitioners of traditional medicine, health workers and members of civil society organisations. Union Minister of State for Ayush, Dr Munjpara Mahendrabhai Kalubhai gave this information in a press conference today at New Delhi.

Speaking about the event in a press conference, Dr Munjpara stated that the summit's outcome will be a declaration, and this declaration will assist WHO in shaping the future of WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine. He also stated, “It is very natural that after the foundation laying ceremony of the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar last year, we are going to witness this first global event in India. It testifies to the multi-dimensional strides taken by various traditional medicine systems of our country in the recent past.”

“By blending traditional practices with contemporary practices aided by visionary policies and digital initiatives, India has demonstrated a path for achieving universal health coverage (UHC) through traditional medicine systems.” He added.

Director, Department of Health Systems Development (WHO South East Asia Regional Centre) Shri Manoj Jhalani stated that the summit is expected to develop a roadmap toward creating a more holistic and healthier world for future generations by recognizing the interconnectedness between human health, planetary harmony, and technological advancement.

An array of distinguished speakers will be spearheading discussions on key focus areas, namely research, evidence and learning; policy, data and regulation; innovation and digital health; and biodiversity, equity and traditional (healthcare) knowledge.

Another added milestone will be the exhibition of Traditional systems of medicine from across the globe and the Ministry of Ayush. This exhibition serves as a comprehensive display of Traditional Medicine worldwide and will showcase the interconnectedness of Traditional Medicine with the natural environment in the form of ‘Kalpavriksha’, along with scientific and technological advancements spearheaded by various regional centres of WHO and the Ministry of Ayush.

In a detailed presentation, the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, Shri Rahul Sharma, laid down the salient features of the event and the exhibition by WHO regional Centres and the Ayush exhibition zone, which has the theme, 'Ayush for Planetary Health & Wellbeing', This exhibition will display WHO regional centres’ prowess apart from highlighting Ayush's efficacy and rich biodiversity of medicinal plants. Some very interesting experiential and interactive kiosks will also be there.

The ministry will also be organising yoga and meditation sessions at the Convention Centre. There also will be yoga and meditation sessions at hotel venues, as well as short Yoga breaks at Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre between sessions.

In 2022, WHO, with the support of the Government of India, established the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine. Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, laid the foundation stone of WHO-GCTM last year in the presence of the Director-General, WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The centre is a collaborative project of the Ministry of Ayush of India and the World Health Organization (WHO) and is the first and only global outpost for traditional medicine across the globe. The WHO GCTM will provide leadership on all global health matters related to traditional medicine as well as extend support to member countries in shaping various policies related to traditional medicine research, practices and public health. In a significant move, this year's highly anticipated event in the form of the WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine is taking place.

Notably, India is revolutionising traditional medicine using digital methods. From Ayush hospital management system to the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), the harmony between ancient wisdom and modern technology is evident in various key digital projects by Ayush Ministry, Government of India.

Yoga Protocol App 'Y Break' Launched by Ayush Ministry; Especially Designed for Working Professionals

Yesterday, Union Minister of Ayush Sarbanand Sonowal has launched the ‘Y-Break’ mobile application in an event at Vigyan Bhawan. 

Thoughtfully designed & developed by Ministry of Ayush, the Y Break mobile application is a 5-minute Yoga protocol, especially designed for working professionals to de-stress, refresh and re-focus at their workplace to increase their productivity, consists of Asanas, Pranayam and Dhyana.

Y Break Mobile App Screenshots

Listing the benefits of Yoga, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, "We know that the corporate professionals often experience stress and also physical problems due to their occupation. Of course, the other professions are also not exempted from such problems. Keeping in view the working population this Y-break has been developed, which will give the employees some solace at the workplace. This Y-break, if practiced sincerely, is going to play a major role in the maintenance of the health of the people."

The Yoga protocol in the Y-Break application comprises of a few simple Yogic practices as follows:

1. Tadasana - Urdhva-hastottanasana - Tadasana
2. Skandha chakra- Uttanamandukasana -- Kati Chakrasana
3. Ardhachakrasana - PrasaritaPadottanasana - Deep Breathing
4. Nadishodhana Pranayama
5. Bhramari Pranayama - Dhyana

Further, each minute is a carefully designed component, with details as follows :

1. In the first minute, the practitioner starts in a standing position with Urdhva-hastottanasana (lateral bending) followed by Tadasana (upward stretch)
2. In the second minute, practice Skandhachalana (shoulder rotation) followed by Uttanamandukasana (shoulder stretch).
3. In the third minute, Ardhachakrasana (backward bend) is followed by Padottanasana (forward bend).
4. The fourth minute is dedicated to Nadishodhana pranayama (alternate nostril breathing).
5. In the fifth minute, Bhramari pranayama (humming bee breathing) followed by Dhyana (meditation).

The 'Y-Break' app launch event was also attended by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (I/c) Science &Technology and Earth Science. He said --- 

We are using digital technology in promoting Yoga is really worth appreciating. I urge Union Law Minister to enact a law on Yoga for 5 minutes at the workplace so that people can take advantage of it.

To Monitor Effect of Yogic Techniques on COVID-19, Health-Tech Firm Dozee Collaborates with CCRYN, Ministry of Ayush

• The Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy (CCRYN) wing of Ministry of Ayush
• Over 40 devices are planned to be setup across Rajiv Gandhi Multispeciality Hospital, AIIMS Rishikesh,AIIMS  Delhi and PGI Chandigarh

Dozee has collaborated with the research arm i.e. CCRYN of Ministry of Ayush (i.e. Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) to provide contactless health monitors across hospitals such as Rajiv Gandhi Hospital, AIIMS Rishikesh, AIIMS Delhi and PGI Chandigarh for their research study on using Yoga interventions in management of covid 19 patients.

In current times of pandemic when the world is looking for solutions to improve immunity, the Ministry of Ayush is combining the power of breathing techniques, herbs and meditation to help beat the virus. CCRYN will use these devices to monitor how Covid-19 patients’ health is improving from different yogic techniques in these hospitals located in Delhi, Chandigarh and Rishikesh. 

Dozee helps in providing data on various parameters such as respiration, Oxygen saturation,  heart rate, sleep and stress-recovery through heart rate variability monitoring. It is the only contactless health monitor that tracks health parameters and provides it remotely to doctors and experts. The aim of the activity is to have patients practise different breathing techniques along with following a special diet aimed at boosting immunity. The CCRYN will appoint Yoga teachers at each hospital to provide live sessions as well as providing sessions through Dozee’s mobile app. The healthcare startup, Dozee will help CCRYN in monitoring how the health of  mildly positive symptomatic and asymptomatic patients is improving with such techniques. 

As our medical system is working relentlessly to find a solution to this sudden outbreak, Dozee aims to ease their burden and risk by providing a non-intrusive solution to monitoring vital signs. These natural solutions can help provide a dependable way to improve the health of these patients. One can monitor the stress levels of patients before practice and guage how much relaxation they have achieved after each yoga session. It will also help us understand which kind of practices are useful.  

Mr Mudit Dandwate, Co-Founder, Dozee, quotes, “We are honoured to be associated with the research council  (CCRYN) of the Ministry of Ayush to contribute towards fighting this battle with the pandemic. We hope that we can empower our medical fraternity while they work tirelessly. This contactless device will share continuous quantitative data with doctors and flag any health deterioration of patients. We hope to be catalysts in fighting the battle with Covid19. We are humbled to be identified by CCRYN from the Ministry of Ayush and are eager to work alongside their healthcare initiatives.” 

Dr Raghvendra Rao, Director of Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy (CCYRN), Ministry of Ayush, states, “ We are thrilled that startups like Dozee can help out to combat the pandemic. While the medical community is strained with the increasing numbers, the data provided by Dozee on a real time basis will aid remote health monitoring by doctors and reduce their burden. It will also create a step down ICU for the hospitals battling shortage of beds. We hope to work in unison with Dozee for other hospitals too in the future integrating our yoga solutions along with real time monitoring.” 

Launched in mid-2019, Dozee is available on both Amazon.in & its website. Dozee has also been backed by reputed companies like Qualcomm and Department of Biotechnology – Govt of India–BIRAC and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for product development and acceleration. This Bengaluru based healthcare startup is the brainchild of Mr. Mudit Dandwate and Mr. Gaurav Parchani, both IIT alumni. 

About Dozee: Dozee, a part of the Turtle Shell Technologies Pvt Ltd is a company registered in India in 2015 based out of Bengaluru – Karnataka.  The company was founded by Mudit Dandawate from IIT Mumbai and Gaurav Parchani from IIT Indore. TST is one of the most promising and looked upon Indian health- tech companies which is the first one to launch a contactless health companion under the brand Dozee in India. Dozee uses Ballistocardiography as the underlying technology where a thin sensor sheet is placed below the mattress (any mattress up to 18 inches) of the user to capture the data on micro-vibrations in the human body. This data of micro-vibration is further analyzed using advanced machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms to create health data about the user.  Dozee is used for proactive health monitoring of health for preventive health care, stress management, sleep improvement, and athlete performance management. TST also provided its technology for smart mattresses. Dozee was awarded Best Healthcare Startup at Bioasia 2019 and Best Tech Innovation at Assocham 2019. They have developed their technology in close collaboration with NIMHANS, Jayadeva Institute of Cardiac Sciences.