The Ministry of Science and Technology launched a new programme called SATYAM- Science And Technology of Yoga and Meditation in November 2015.
It has been conceived to develop good science around yoga and has nothing to do with religious beliefs.
Objective
- To strengthen research in the areas of Yoga and Meditation.
- To harness knowledge obtained in academic institutions and other related agencies for finding Science and Technology- led solutions that would enable us to cope with stress and strain associated with fast changing social, economic, environmental and professional circumstances.
- The cutting edge research under SATYAM will seek to identify various issues and challenges related to human well being and address them.
- It is aimed at encouraging scientific research on the effects of Yoga and Meditation on physical and mental health and on cognitive functioning in healthy people as well as in patients with disorders.
About the Programme
- The programme will encourage research in two major thematic areas
- (1) investigations on the effect of Yoga and meditation on physical and mental health,
- (2) investigations on the effect of Yoga and meditation on the body, brain and mind in terms of basic processes occurring therein.
- Given the ever increasing prevalence of physical and mental health problems, the holistic approach of Yoga and meditation is believed to have the potential to find beneficial treatment that is relatively safer and more cost-effective.
- The government has decided to introduce Yoga in various sectors and has also asked the state governments to promote it.
- The Department of Science and Technology (DST) had conceptualized the research programme under Cognitive Science Research Initiative (CSRI) and invited research proposals from scientists and academicians having prior research experience in Yoga and Meditation.
- The Government has received over 600 research proposals from scientists and academicians for conducting researches under the programme.
- An expert committee has shortlisted 16 of them on merit basis.
- These projects will be funded by the Ministry. Around Rs. 20 crore per year will be allotted to each research project.
