Govt invites proposals to study effects of yoga, meditation in fighting COVID-19 and similar viruses

Department of Science and Techlogy has invited proposals to study appropriate intervention of yoga and meditation in fighting COVID-19 and similar kinds of viruses.

Teams of scientists, clinicians and experienced practitioners of yoga and meditation who have a proven track record in field of yoga and meditation research are being encourd to submit concept tes on proposal.

proposals have been invited under Science and Techlogy of Yoga and Meditation (SATYAM) programme of DST, a department under Ministry of Science and Techlogy.

According to ‘Call for Proposals’ uploaded on Department of Science and Techlogy's website, concept te should cover aims and objectives of proposed work, existing literature, methodology, expected outcome, budget requirement and details of host institutions along with detailed biodata of principal investigator with latest publications included in scientific journal databases.

It states that project may address improving immunity, improving respiratory system and interventions to overcome respiratory disorders and or dimensions like stress, anxiety and depression-related issues due to isolation, uncertainty and disruption in rmal life.

" aim of this special call is to provide assistance to our society in today's critical condition arising due to pandemic COVID-19. Since this is a need-based call, refore, proposed work should be completed within 6-12 months,” it said.

Elaborating on concept, DST Secretary Ashutosh Sharma said that SATYAM is a cognitive science programme.

“COVID-19 usually has three dimensions -- related to stress (worry, sitting at home), respiratory and immune system.

“But this (how can yoga and meditation) has to be scientifically investigated. Sometimes, re is an empirical co-relation in something you do and something you see as an outcome, but you have to understand that scientifically,” he said.

  He added clinicians, scientists and practitioners are expected to work toger and make use of modern tools of life science and bio-sciences to understand if something works and if something does t. "If it works, what is efficacy and in what conditions does it work," he added. PTI PR RT