Talking Research: Hope and Fear

On 3rd April 2011, Chinese ambassador handed over the newly constructed building of National Ayurveda Research and Training Center to Secretary of Health. Chinese engineers and others worked for more than two years to make the dream come true. During the ‘Delivery and Acceptance’ program they talked of many things. The overall vision, management, functioning guidelines etc are yet to emerge before the people. Here is what many people want to know all about: –

Now time to test the doubt of Modern Doctors:

And a Dream come True of the people:

• Soon the modern doctors will be using traditional herbal (or herbo-mineral) medicines without feeling their head heavy. When they find their patient using herbal medicines, they will not loose temper, rather they will advise them to use it without feeling any discomfort. The most sought answers to Ayurveda medicine by some of modern scholar is how these medicines work, how much safe and effective they are, though these medicines are said to be working well to manage most of the common health care problems and have been using by South Asian people from time immemorial.
• Moreover, the doctors when tired of using some of modern chemical medicines, will not wait a long time to start Ayurvedic medicines, though they liked to use them, and waited because of their degree and the science they learnt which never taught them the beauty and possibility of Ayurvedic medicine.
• Many medications and treatment guidelines that can change the new world concepts of health and happiness shall emerge.

 Ayurveda: The Treasure of People:

They have been using it because they get benefits-

• The farmers can make some money by selling the (parts of) medicinal plants they have harvested, collected, or preserved. Then they can educate their children, and make life go easier by using that money.
• They (can) use them, if they know it rightly (or taught) to manage some minor health problems, thus strengthening primary health. (which is one of the major goal of Millennium Development Goal set by UN)
• Protect environment and ecology by conserving plants in their locality. 

The expected manpower use in the research regarding Ayurveda includes:

• Research specialist, Ayurveda doctors, Modern doctors, Health care technicians/professionals, Experts of Herbal medicine, pathology, biochemistry, microbiology etc., Administrative staff etc.

How will it function?

• It will be an important body of Ministry of Health, Government of Nepal. It will be independent of its mother body Department of Ayurveda.
• There will be collaboration among Nepalese team with Chinese health researchers and WHO health researchers.
• Other necessary coordination and activities.

What is it supposed to do?

• This center will carry out, as the name suggest, research and trainings. This is supposed to be a grand place to learn, to experiment, to share, to work for better health and life of humankind.

What sorts of researches?

• The safety and efficacy of Ayurveda medicine on its own view, and on the light of Modern Science.
• The probable new inventions, new medicines that can bring a new age in the human health. Like the cancers can calm down, delaying degenerative process, strengthening immunity, beauty and health cum happiness.
• Many medications and treatment guidelines that can change the new world concepts of health and happiness.

What possible Trainings?

• Training regarding Health, Research, Ayurveda, health care management etc.
• Diseases, medicines/drugs, herbs, minerals etc.
• Health and healthy living

Who are supposed to get the Trainings?

• Doctors, nurses, health care professionals in general.
• Ayurvedic traditional practioners, ayurvedic healers
• Commom people

Fear of the People

• Some people fear that the researches will make Ayurvedic system robotic. According to Ayurveda health is not just the body parts and bodily chemicals in dynamic equilibrium, more than this it is a happy senses, mind and soul. (heeta ayu, sukha ayu)
• Some people fear of their herbs, minerals, knowledge, skill and technique etc. being patented by some cunning foreigners who have been said to be involved in that sorts of work.
• Another greatest challenge is that there are many ideas in Ayuveda that can not be studied in a laboratory setting. Modern scientists (modern people in general) will have problem understanding Ayurveda in its own view. And the Ayurvedic scholars will experience problems understanding the Ayurveda deeply enough to make other understand it.

Unhealthy Political Scenario

• People in general consider the political intervention to be a weak idea of corrupt people rule everything possible. Since the rule of law is being redefined, there are loopholes that are making the research and training institute a place for political enrollment. This will fail to answer the need of the people, need of time, possibility of the human being in its mother nature.

Hope in General:

• Nothing lasts forever – not even your troubles. Many people hope of improvement of overall political scenario. As it is for everyone’s benefit, everyone should be working for each other. Let’s come over of our weakness. Follow our strengths, and get our possibility. Let’s make life better!