Posts Tagged ‘india’

India teams up with Ireland on research programmes

May 20th, 2009

India is known as the greatest specimen of spiritualism and also “unity in diversity” throughout the globe. There is hardly any doubt that these two have been great attributes of the country but there is another aspect. Indian civilization has also brought to the fore different theories of science along with scientists who deserve special mentions. Have you heard of Ayurveda? It is an ancient medical treatise summarizing the Hindu art of healing and prolonging life; sometimes regarded as a 5th Veda. It is also a glorious contribution of India and nowadays the influence of Ayurveda in the international arena doesn’t need any reference.

It has been learnt that the Indian scientists are resolute to extend this glorious saga and for this reason they are collaborating with their Irish counterparts on a range of research areas. These include sustainable energy, medical sciences, information and communications technology and food science, and in this regard a new co-operation programme was signed between the two countries recently. The agreement was revealed when Dr Thirumalachari Ramasami, Secretary of the Indian Department of Science and Technology, met with the Minister for Science of Ireland, Technology and Innovation, Conor Lenihan TD. Minister Lenihan and Secretary Ramasami, signed a Programme of Co-operation on Science and Technology at the meeting in Dublin.

It has come to the knowledge that the Programme of Co-operation puts into operation a Government-to-Government Agreement between Ireland and India on science and technology agreed during a visit by the then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to India in January 2006. “Irish and Indian scientists are carrying out research to find solutions to problems or to discover new techniques to improve our lives and help create jobs”, said Minister Lenihan.

Scientists, in accordance with the Programme of Co-operation, will be encouraged to co-operate on research programmes and to sketch out joint research projects that would be considered for joint funding following evaluations carried out by both sides.

SpaFinder Announces 2009 Top 10 Spa Trends for India

February 4th, 2009

One Of World’s Fastest-Growing Economies Also Boasts Rapidly Growing, Evolving Spa Industry

New York, NY (PRWEB) — India has increasingly been on the world’s (and West’s) radar: from the tragic terror attacks in Mumbai, to the worldwide popularization of ‘Bollywood,’ to the release of the acclaimed, Oscar-contending film Slumdog Millionaire. The picture of modern Indian society emerging from these events and representations is of course complex: While Slumdog Millionaire has been criticized by some for its ‘stereotypical’ depiction of Indian working-class poverty, the news footage of the Mumbai attacks revealed a very modern India in the throes of rapid economic development, featuring new super-luxury resort hotels.

sflogo.jpgWith the IMF recently releasing data that India and China represent the two fastest-growing world economies, there’s no debate that the country is developing at a breakneck pace, unleashing new class mobility, and newly evolving markets. One economic sub-sector experiencing significant growth and evolution is the spa industry in India, which, according to SpaFinder Research, represents one of the most interesting global spa economies to watch in 2009–and beyond.

The Indian spa industry currently boasts over 2,300 spas, generating revenue representing approximately USD $384 million annually. Initiatives are underway to train spa personnel to meet the growing demand for these 2300+ spas, and for the hundreds–even thousands–more that are likely to establish themselves in the next five to ten years. While the spa market in India is still a modest sliver of the overall $60-billion-plus core global spa economy, India is poised to attract significantly more western tourists (particularly on the medical/wellness travel front)…as well as continue to develop its own vibrant, indigenous spa market at a heady pace.

According to SpaFinder Research, here are some emerging trends that should play out in the booming Indian spa market in 2009:

Thou Who Seekest a Spa, Will Find One.
With over 700 spas predicted to open doors in the next 2-4 years, there’s no doubt that the spa industry in India is growing fast. CMYK Health Boutique’s Fountain Spa, Cravatex’s Spa Zieta, Floriana Group’s Chandan Sparsh and Franchise India Holding’s Spa Siam are among the several companies with major expansion plans.

Yoga, Ayurveda Represent Serious Business, Now More Than Ever
In 2009, both yoga and ayurveda will continue to be classic examples of global cross-pollination across borders. Yoga, one of the most powerful and profitable wellness modalities in the word, is a lifestyle for millions of people who are increasingly enthusiastic about traveling to the spiritual and cultural source: India. Indian spas will also continue to expand their Ayurvedic menus, for both their passionate overseas clientele who want to experience authentic Ayurvedic therapies–as well as for local enthusiasts, either already familiar with the benefits, or who wish to adopt their own Indian healing traditions for the first time. Also gradually growing on the western consumer’s radar is Ayurvedic medicine, which is often introduced to consumers in other countries via the spa industry. As state tourism departments (particularly in the Kerala region) more aggressively promote and package Ayurveda, look for new legislation mandating scientific methods and quality control, trained therapists, Ayurvedic doctors and license certifications.
» Read more: SpaFinder Announces 2009 Top 10 Spa Trends for India

Kerala’s Ayurvaid planned to set up 40 hospitals across India

September 2nd, 2008

BANGALORE:  The Ayurvaid hospital Managing Director Rajiv Vasudevan said that after establishing two hospitals in Kerala, Ayurvaid hospitals has now finalized a national roll-out initiative, planning to have 40 Ayurveda hospitals integrated with modern medicine across the country.

He also said that, at present the Ayurvaid has a 15-bed hospital in Kochi & 60-bed one in Aluva & third one- a 25-bed facility is all set to be opened here. The few more hospitals are planned in the first phase over the next six- eight months it is also informed by Rajiv Vasudevan.

“We are looking at a mix of metros, tier-II cities and perhaps one tier-III city (for opening the five hospitals)”, Vasudevan told PTI here. “The goal is to have 40 hospitals (both company-owned and company-managed) in four years”.

Two-third of the proposed 40 hospitals would be 15-bed ones and the remaining 50-bed ones. “We will focus on bottom of the pyramid with 60 per cent of its capacity focused on poor patients”, he said.

Ayurvaid has received a Rs 4.5 crore funding from Acumen, one of the world’s largest fund for social ventures, with the latter picking up a minority state in the Ayurvaid, a division of Kerala First Health services Pvt Ltd.

He said that, this money is sufficient for expansion plans in the first phase, indicating that funds for the bigger roll-out thereafter would not be a problem. “There is active interest by a lot of people in the sector”, he said, also noting that establishing Ayurveda hospitals is not capital-intensive.

Dabur to focus on OTC items for lifestyle problems

July 6th, 2008

KOLKATA: Domestic FMCG major Dabur India, which has identified the consumer health care segment as a prime growth driver, is soon going to rejig its product portfolio. The company has decided to focus on over-the-counter (OTC) products for lifestyle problems, as part of its plans to make Ayurveda contemporary for modern day consumers.

For starters, Dabur has identified gastro intestine, stress, rejuvenation and pain as areas for future product roll-out. The company’s research arm—Dabur Research Foundation—is already working on developing multiple products for these segments. As part of its strategy, it plans to develop a portfolio of at least 7-8 lifestyle products by year-end.

“Our internal research suggested there are no natural or Ayurvedic products for the burgeoning lifestyle diseases. Hence, we have decided to focus on OTC products for such problems. As a result, we expect to increase the contribution of OTC segment to consumer health care division’s (CHD) Rs 155-crore turnover from 60% to 80% in two years,” Dabur India executive director (CHD) Depend Gang told ET.In line with this, the company is in the process of rolling out three new products—Bhringraj Ayurvedic Tel (a hair fall control oil), Super Thanda Tel (a cooling oil) and Dabur Active Blood Purifier. Dabur India also intends to launch above-the-line campaigns for these new products with their newly-appointed brand ambassador Juhi Chawla.

Dabur has just completed a packaging revamp of its existing OTC range and now plans to do so for the ethical products, which are promoted through Ayurvedic practitioners.

“The new packaging will try to make Ayurveda more contemporary for today’s consumers. The packaging up gradation is already complete for half of the OTC range,” said Mr. Garg.

The Gariatric Ayurveda plan lunched in Himachal Pradesh

June 26th, 2008

Garitric Health  care campaign through Ayurveda in Himachal Pradesh (HP) was launched by Rajeev Bindal, health and Ayurveda minister in Shimla. Bindal said that the government had sanctioned Rs 1 crore for creating infrastructural facilities in the college. He said that 85 posts of Ayurvedic doctors have been sanctioned in the state and very shortly 154 vacant posts would be filled up. Bindal said that 25 per cent net Non-Performing Assets (NPA) would also be provided to Ayurvedic doctors.

The main health care facilities are being provided through 1,200 Ayurvedic health institutions in the state. He said that school health care Programme is being associated with every Ayurvedic institution, besides a Programme to make the state anemia free. He said that ’Panchkarma’ system of treatment is being popularized in the state. He directed principal secretary and director Ayurveda to ensure active participation of Ayurvedic doctors in the implementation of all national health Programmes.

Ayurveda minister said that there is a great possibility of herbal cultivation in the state, which would generate employment opportunities to our youth of the state. He said that in this connection Swami Ramdev had already had discussions with the officers of forest, agriculture, horticulture and Ayurveda. He said that Swami Ramdev is keen to purchase herbal medicines at remunerative rates including Ghritkumari, Chhota Amla, and Amrita etc. He said that Ayurvedic doctors would be appointed in 74 community health centres. He also released a directory on the health institutions functioning in the state.

Representatives of AYUSH departments of ministry of health, government of India, eminent resource persons, Ayurveda officers and chief medical officers from all over the state are participating in the two day seminar. Bindal thanked ministry of AYUSH, Government of India for declaring HP the nodal state for the implementation of the geriatrics health care campaign in the country. He wished that this campaign should be named as long life programme for senior citizens.