INDIA, August 14, 2015 (Indian Express): In further proof of the growing importance of yoga under the NDA government, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has decided to fund research on the impact of yoga and meditation on human health — the first time the department has ventured into this area.
Research and studies on yoga have so far remained within the domain of AYUSH, a government department whose mandate is to promote traditional medicine, including ayurveda, unani and homeopathy. Now, in tune with the government’s efforts to promote yoga internationally, the DST has called for research proposals from “scientists/academicians with prior research experience in yoga and meditation”.
“Yoga is already an international movement, and it has been adopted even by the United Nations. So there is nothing unusual if the DST makes efforts in promoting research in yoga. We have already seen how popular yoga is,” Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan told The Indian Express.