Perspectives in innovation in the AYUSH sector

Ever since the Government of India established the “National Knowledge Commission” under the chairmanship of Pitroda[1] to promote awareness of the significance of the growth of knowledge in developing a knowledge-based society, continued efforts have been made to generate new ideas and innovations in different sectors of knowledge. Establishment of a National Innovation Council was a first step. Now a number of Sectorial Innovation Councils have been constituted. The latest in the series is the AYUSH Sector Innovation Council constituted by the Govt. of India under the chairmanship of the author. It warrants a national dialogue and debate on the perspectives and priorities of innovative activities in traditional knowledge practice in general, and AYUSH in particular. The objective of this communication is to draw the attention of the core AYUSH fraternity and allied sectors of the knowledgebase to deliberate and direct young talents in the field to promote innovation in areas with the greatest potential for success. There is also a need to develop strategies to promote this movement through identifying innovation opportunities and by creating ‘Innovation Ecosystems’ with the ultimate goal of bridging gaps in our knowledge, and converting knowledge into service of the people for better life and health. Here the author is communicating some of his own ideas on the terms of reference of the Sectorial Innovation Council and inviting more vision and input.