Government Initiative Trains Scholars to Decode Ancient Ayurvedic Texts for Modern Research
Bhubaneswar, March 18, 2025: The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), under the Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM), Ministry of Culture, is conducting a Transliteration Capacity Building Workshop on Ayurvedic Manuscripts from March 13 to March 24, 2025, at the Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI), Bhubaneswar. This initiative aims to train scholars in decoding and publishing ancient Ayurvedic texts, ensuring their relevance in modern healthcare and research.
Strengthening Ayurveda for Global Recognition
Union Minister of State (IC) for Ayush, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, emphasized the importance of preserving India’s manuscript heritage and its role in shaping evidence-based Ayurveda. “Ayurveda holds immense potential for modern healthcare. Through this initiative, we are not only safeguarding invaluable texts but also empowering scholars to integrate traditional wisdom into contemporary medical research,” he stated.
Ministry of Ayush Secretary, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, further highlighted the scientific significance of Ayurvedic manuscript transliteration, stating: “By equipping young researchers with skills to analyze ancient texts, we are fostering a new wave of Ayurveda research, ensuring evidence-based validation and its application in global healthcare.”
Preserving India’s Manuscript Heritage
Aligned with the ‘Gyan Bharat Mission’, this workshop supports the documentation and conservation of Ayurvedic manuscripts. Prof. (Vaidya) Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General, CCRAS, noted that the organization has digitized over 5,000 medical manuscripts and cataloged many more, particularly in Odisha, a key repository of Ayurvedic heritage.
Training Young Scholars for Future Ayurveda Research
The workshop trains 30 scholars from Odisha under the mentorship of 10 eminent experts, focusing on:
- Transliteration, critical analysis, and publication of Ayurvedic manuscripts
- Bridging ancient medical wisdom with modern healthcare practices
- Creating new employment opportunities in Ayurvedic research and public health
CCRAS Leading Digital Innovation in Ayurveda
As a pioneer in Ayurvedic literary research, CCRAS has published over 94 books and developed Ayush Manuscripts Advanced Repository (AMAR) and Showcase of Ayurveda Historical Imprints (SAHI) to digitally preserve rare manuscripts.
Through nationwide workshops, CCRAS aims to strengthen Ayurveda’s literary research, ensuring its integration into modern scientific advancements and healthcare systems. This initiative is a major step toward revitalizing India’s medical heritage and promoting Ayurveda as a cornerstone of holistic healthcare worldwide.
