Lok Sabha Question No. 248 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-03
Subject: Exchange Programme for AYUSH
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: Jagannath Sarkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-248 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03/02/2023

## EXCHANGE PROGRAMME FOR AYUSH

## 248. SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR:

Will the MINISTER OF AYUSH be pleased to state:

(a)  whether the Government proposes to create exchange programs with foreign universities to promote Yoga, Ayurveda and Traditional Medicine on the International scale;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c)  whether  the  Ministry  has  reached  out  to  the  Ministry  of  Education  to  include  Yoga, Ayurveda and Traditional Medicine in the school curriculum at the national level; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF AYUSH (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a) & (b): Yes Sir. The Ministry of Ayush has provisioned the exchange of experts in traditional medicines  and  students  with  foreign  universities,  under  the  MoUs  signed  between  the autonomous  bodies  under  the  Ministry  of  Ayush  and  foreign  Universities/Authorities  to promote Yoga, Ayurveda and Traditional Medicine on the International scale. The Ministry of Ayush has signed 24 country-to-country level MoUs, 40 Institute level MoUs and 15 Ayush Academic Chair MoUs with foreign nations. The Ministry of Ayush, for the promotion and propagation  Ayush  system  abroad,  offers  scholarships  to  eligible  foreign  nationals  for undertaking  degree  courses  in  Ayush  systems  in  premier  Institutes  in  India  under  its International  Ayush  Fellowship  Programme  with  the  aim  of  achieving  recognition  and acceptance  of  our  Traditional  Medicine  Systems  abroad.  The  Ministry  of  Ayush  also collaborates with foreign universities by signing Institute level MoUs for establishing Ayush Academic Chairs abroad. At present, 03 active Ayush Academic Chairs have been set up i.e. at  Hamdard  University  (Bangladesh),  the  University  of  Latvia  (Latvia),  the  University  of Mauritius (Mauritius). The Ministry of Ayush exchanges International experts & officers to and fro India under the components 3-A-a and 3-A-b of the IC Scheme.

(c)  & (d): Yes Sir. The Ministry has collaborated with the Ministry of Education to include Yoga, Ayurveda and Traditional Medicine in the school curriculum at the national level and following are the details of the said initiative:

-  Vide DO letter dated: 29.09.2021, Ministry of Ayush requested Ministry of Education for integration of teachings of Indian Traditional System of Medicines in the curriculum of school education.
-  An Advisory Group and a Committee to develop educational material for students of school education and higher education are constituted by the Ministry of AYUSH dated 22.09.2022.
-  The first meeting of the Advisory Group was held on 13.10.2022.
-  As  per  the  decision  taken  by  the  committee  the  sub-groups  depending  on  age  and standard of education are created.
-  As per the decision, the director, NCERT was requested to nominate four experts for four committees on 13.01.2023.

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