Govt to study effects of yoga in fighting virus

New Delhi, April 12

The Department of Science and Technology 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 the field of yoga and meditation research are being encouraged to submit concept notes on the proposal.

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

According to the ‘Call for Proposals’ uploaded on the Department of Science and Technology’s website, concept note 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 the principal investigator with latest publications included in scientific journal databases.

DST Secretary Ashutosh Sharma said: “Covid-19 usually has three dimensions — related to stress (worry, sitting at home), respiratory and the immune system. But this (how can yoga and meditation) has to be scientifically investigated. Sometimes, there is an empirical co-relation in something you do and something you see as an outcome,” he said. — PTI