Vijayawada, 26 November (H.S.): The Ministry of Ayush, through its Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), launched the second edition of its flagship program, SIDDHI 2.0, in Vijayawada on Wednesday. This national conclave, organized in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), is designed to serve as a powerful interface between research and industry, aiming to accelerate innovation in the Ayurveda pharmaceutical sector.

The initiative, whose full name is Scientific Innovation in Drug Development, Healthcare & Integration, seeks to create a robust national platform for advancing the entire Ayurvedic ecosystem.

During the inaugural ceremony, CCRAS unveiled new digital and literary initiatives, including a medico-historical publication on drug regulations and a Drug Inventory Management System portal, signaling a decisive push towards modernization and regulatory clarity.

A Vision for Evidence-Based Wellness

Top officials at the event emphasized the growing relevance of Ayurveda in a world grappling with lifestyle-related diseases. Prof. Vd. Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General of CCRAS, highlighted the council's commitment to collaborative, research-led product development with an assurance of equitable intellectual property rights for industry partners.

K. Dinesh Kumar, Director (Ayush) for the Government of Andhra Pradesh, noted that while modern science has extended human lifespan, Ayurveda can ensure a healthier lifespan, and proposed the establishment of a National Ayurveda Institute in the state.

Fostering Industry Collaboration

The two-day event brought together over 100 delegates, including representatives from more than 25 leading Ayurvedic companies such as Himalaya Wellness Company and Oushadhi. Industry leaders stressed the need to modernize traditional herbs and formulations to enhance their global marketability. Dr. N. Srikanth, Deputy Director General of CCRAS, encouraged the industry to leverage the council's extensive data from over 150 validated Ayurvedic formulations and highlighted support for innovative, AI-driven startups in the sector.

Envisioned as a national translational accelerator, SIDDHI 2.0 aims to promote the wider adoption of CCRAS technologies, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and support the development of globally competitive Ayurvedic products.

The initiative is a cornerstone of India's vision for a modern, scalable, and evidence-driven future for holistic and traditional medicine.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar