CSIR-NIScPR Organises National Workshop on Documentation and Communication of Traditional Medicine

The CSIR–National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR), in collaboration with the ICMR–National Institute of Traditional Medicine (ICMR-NITM), organised a National Capacity Building Workshop on "Traditional Medicine: Documentation, Validation and Communication" on 6 March 2026 at the NITM campus in Belagavi, Karnataka. The workshop was conducted under the national initiative SVASTIK (Scientifically Validated Societal Traditional Knowledge).

More than 60 participants from 10 academic and research institutions across Belagavi and nearby regions attended the workshop, engaging in discussions and training sessions focused on strengthening research documentation and communication in the field of traditional medicine.

Focus on Strengthening Traditional Knowledge Systems

The inaugural session of the workshop was attended by distinguished experts and leaders in the field of traditional medicine and science communication. The event was graced by Dr Padma Gurmet, Padma Shri awardee and Director of the National Institute of Sowa Rigpa (NISR), who attended as the Chief Guest.

Other prominent dignitaries included Prof Ranjana Aggarwal, Outstanding Scientist at CSIR and former Director of CSIR-NIScPR, Dr Subarna Roy, Director of ICMR-NITM, and Dr Geetha Vani Rayasam, Director of CSIR-NIScPR, who joined the session virtually.

The programme began with a welcome address by Dr Harsha Hegde, Scientist F at ICMR-NITM, followed by introductory remarks from Dr Subarna Roy, who emphasised the importance of communicating research in traditional medicine to broader society.

Dr Roy highlighted that effective science communication plays a vital role in ensuring that scientific discoveries and validated traditional practices reach policymakers, healthcare professionals and the public. He urged researchers at all stages of their careers to develop strong communication skills to effectively translate scientific findings into accessible knowledge.

Insights into Sowa Rigpa and Traditional Medicine Systems

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Padma Gurmet spoke about the historical and scientific foundations of Sowa Rigpa, one of India's recognised traditional systems of medicine.

He discussed the evolution and institutional development of the National Institute of Sowa Rigpa and emphasised the importance of preserving and promoting traditional healing systems. Dr Gurmet highlighted the interconnectedness between Sowa Rigpa and other Indian systems of medicine such as Ayurveda.

He stressed that systematic documentation, scientific validation and effective communication are essential to improve the visibility and acceptance of traditional medicine systems within modern healthcare frameworks.

Traditional Knowledge and Scientific Validation

In her keynote lecture, Prof Ranjana Aggarwal provided a comprehensive overview of India's traditional knowledge systems and their philosophical foundations.

Drawing references from the Vedas and the concept of Panchkosha, she explained how traditional knowledge practices have historically guided healthcare and wellness in India. Through several examples, she underscored the need to scientifically validate these practices and build bridges between traditional knowledge and modern scientific research.

Prof Aggarwal emphasised that effective communication of validated traditional knowledge can help society better understand and adopt these practices in contemporary healthcare systems.

The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr Charu Lata, Principal Scientist and SVASTIK Coordinator at CSIR-NIScPR.

Exploring India's Traditional Medicine Heritage

The first technical session of the workshop focused on the theme "India's Traditional Medicine Heritage: From Protection to Perpetuation." The session examined the historical continuity and modern relevance of traditional medicine systems in India.

The plenary lecture was delivered by Prof Pulok Mukherjee, who discussed the translation of traditional medicine knowledge into modern scientific frameworks. His talk covered topics such as systems ethnopharmacology, sustainable bioresources and ethical considerations in product development.

Prof Mukherjee stressed the importance of preserving local health traditions and promoting ethnopharmacology-based research while ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks and sustainability principles.

Global Perspectives on Holistic Health

Another plenary lecture was delivered by Vaidya Pawankumar Ramesh Godatwar from the World Health Organization (WHO) Centre in New Delhi.

He spoke about global perspectives on holistic health and highlighted the World Health Organization's efforts to establish research priorities in traditional medicine. These initiatives aim to promote affordable and sustainable healthcare solutions for populations worldwide.

The session emphasised that traditional medicine systems can contribute significantly to public health, particularly in regions where modern healthcare access remains limited.

Communicating Traditional Knowledge through Science Communication

The second technical session focused on strengthening communication strategies for traditional medicine research.

Dr Charu Lata presented an overview of India's traditional systems of medicine and explained the structured framework adopted under the SVASTIK initiative. She described the systematic process of identifying traditional practices, scientifically validating them, documenting the findings and communicating them to the public through digital and social media platforms.

According to her, educators and researchers who are able to combine traditional knowledge with verified scientific evidence can play a crucial role in promoting credible science communication.

Hands-on Training in Science Communication

The workshop also included an interactive hands-on training session conducted by Dr Paramananda Barman, Senior Scientist at CSIR-NIScPR.

The training focused on the fundamentals of science communication and introduced participants to various formats used to present scientific information to wider audiences. Participants received practical guidance on writing popular science articles, designing communication materials, and developing visually engaging content such as infographics and short educational videos.

As part of the programme, the SVASTIK initiative was showcased through an exhibition organised by the CSIR-NIScPR team, highlighting the initiative's efforts to scientifically document and communicate validated traditional knowledge.

Promoting Evidence-Based Traditional Medicine

The workshop concluded with an interactive feedback session, where participants shared their experiences and insights gained during the programme.

Organisers noted that initiatives such as the SVASTIK programme play an important role in strengthening India's traditional knowledge systems by combining scientific validation, responsible documentation and effective communication.

Such capacity-building efforts are expected to contribute to greater recognition of traditional medicine systems and support their integration into evidence-based healthcare frameworks in India and globally.