Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

Data of Siddha compositions to be digitalised

Staff Reporter

To conserve traditional knowledge, prevent grant of wrong patents to non-original inventions

MADURAI: The Central Research Institute for Siddha has, with the support of the Government, planned to digitalise nearly 10,000 formulae of Siddha compositions for various ailments and host them on the traditional knowledge digital library being evolved by the Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy.

This was part of an effort to conserve the traditional knowledge and prevent the grant of wrong patents for non-original inventions in our traditional knowledge system at the international level, according to G. Veluchamy, Director, Central Research Institute for Siddha.

`Ayush 2005'

He was speaking at the valedictory of `Ayush 2005,' an exposition on traditional medicines, held under the aegis of the Madurai District Tiny and Small Scale Industries Association in association with the All India Ayurveda Congress, Madurai; Tamil Nadu Siru Thozhil Siddha Marunthu Urpathiyalargal Sangam; Indian Medicine and Herbal Promoters Organisation; Siddha, Ayurveda and Unani Medical Practitioners Central Welfare Association and Madurai Siddha Vaithya Sangam here on Sunday.

The task force formed by the Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy had evolved a methodology to create the library on Ayurveda books involving nearly 30,000 compositions. The present exercise of digitalising the Siddha data was comprehensive and he expressed the hope that the work would be completed soon. The centre had brought out a database on medicinal plants in seven volumes with bibliographical references and now efforts were on to translate the work into Tamil. "This, however, involves a lot of effort and money," he added.

Delivering the valedictory address, D. Kumaradhas, president, Indian Medical Practitioners' Cooperative Pharmacy and Stores, urged the Centre to take steps to help manufacturers to procure raw material at a moderate rate as the present market rates left them with little option but to hike the cost of medicines, which would affect the consumers.

Hence, to ensure that the end users did not have to shell out huge sums of money to purchase the traditional medicinal preparations the Government could help the manufacturers obtain the raw materials at a concession.

Free medicines given

Besides the public, Siddha practitioners too benefited from the exposition, which began on Friday, said V. Kalidoss, chairman of `Ayush 2005.'

K.A. Rajendran, a Siddha practitioner, said that about Rs.3 lakhs was spent on giving drugs free of cost to more than 4,000 persons at the free health camp held on the occasion.

J. Venkatesh, member of `Ayush 2005' expressed concern over the growing trend in western nations to patent drugs and compositions that have been traditionally used in India by Siddha and Ayurveda practitioners.

He said the Government should take appropriate measures to prevent the misuse of traditional Indian systems of medicines from being patented.

Dr. Kumaradhas gave away prizes to school and college students who distinguished themselves at the various competitions held on the occasion.

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