The second day of the ninth Uttarakhand State Science and Technology Congress being organised by the Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST) saw brainstorming sessions on various issues.
Chairing the session on blending ayurveda with modern science and reverse pharmacology, Rajiv Gulati of Ranbaxy laboratories ltd spoke on the standard drug discovery and development and stated that there is rise in appreciation for the benefits of ayurvedic medicines. He mentioned the examples of Rawolfia serpentina, Psoralea corylifolia, Berberis aristata and Picrrochiza kurroa being used as ayurvedic medicine to cure several diseases.
Stating that reverse pharmacology has tremendous scientific and commercial potential, he stressed on the need for techniques and instrumentation in herbal drug testing laboratories.
Recommendations made by experts in this session include recording ayurvedic medicines and formulations, pattern of modern science of pharmacology should be followed, pilot scale studies on models for different diseases and identified medicinal herbs, focus of governmental and R&D institutions on standardisation of ayurvedic drugs, facilitation of testing laboratories with advanced instrumentation for reverse pharmacology R&D, encouraging medicinal and aromatic plant research and inter-disciplinary research.
Recommendations made by experts in the brainstorming session on employing science and technology resources for creating skill revolution in Uttarakhand included establishment of an S&T grid to network all government departments with R&D institutions; using scientific innovations for promoting entrepreneurial and local skills; involving more ITIs and students for vocational training; education with the inclusion of hands-on training in collaboration with the industries and developing clusters of food processing units, forestry extensions.
During the session on orientation of science teachers in technology and science, experts recommended orientation courses for science teachers and funding of science research projects for secondary and higher secondary teachers by the council.
Chairing the session on science communication, the acting director of CSIT, NISCAIR, Deeksha Bist talked about spreading the knowledge of science through print media. CSIR, NISCAIR chief scientist Gauhar Raza, Graphic Era University dean of biotechnology, Prof lMS Palni, CSIT, NISCAIR editor Hasan Jawaid Khan, former head of BARC Glass and Advanced Ceramics division Dr GP Kothiyal, Vigyan Prasar scientist Dr BK Tyagi, Sanjay Jain from ONGC and Dr GS Rawat from the Wildlife Institute of India also expressed their views at the session.
