INITIATIVESOFGRAMSEVAKENDRA (AconstituentunitofNCRI) For PromotionofTraditionalKnowledgeSystems

Dr.I.Sreenivasulu ProjectOfficer NCRI Hyderabad

GenesisofNCRI
NCRI is the outcome of National Policy on Education (NPE) 1986. NPE, 1986 envisaged in accordance with Mahatma Gandhis

revolutionary ideas on education so as to respond to the challenges associated with the transformation of rural areas.

Vision
Contributing to knowledge economy by integrating the objectives of the Knowledge connectivity and by developing innovative methodologies for generation, identification and application of Knowledge

Thrust Areas

Promotion of Nai-Talim with appropriate strategies for advancing rural livelihoods. Take up challenges of micro-planning for transformation of rural areas as envisaged in the National policy on education. Youth Sensitisation Programme -intends to provide a bridge between the idea of youth as a resource and the Gandhian idea of self-reliance. Education and training for promotion of traditional knowledge, best practices, health, gender equality and the recognition and

protection of indigenous cultures.

CentresatNCRI
Rural Institutes Forum Projects Division The Wheel -Centre for Gandhian Thought and Action Rural Resource Informatics Centre Nai Talim Centre Micro Planning Unit Dr. Aram Learning Centre Gram Seva Kendra

GRAM SEVA KENDRA(GSK)

Gram Seva Kendra (GSK) would support rural institutes in catalysing extension services. It would work with rural institutes in bringing out initiatives suited to the rural sector in emerging environment to prepare change agents who can handle development challenges in a smooth and effective manner with an inclusive approach.

ActivitiesofGSK

Rural Extension Services through Rural Institutes Courses around emerging rural occupations Renewable energy Vocational training and skill development Traditional knowledge Systems promotion Rural Entrepreneurship Development and Livelihood Promotion (REDP) Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

TraditionalKnowledgeSystems
Traditional Knowledge Systems (TKS) are the wisdom of a specific community which is passed on from generation to generation in various forms. This knowledge is very ancient and deep rooted in art and culture. Most communities have their own chosen method of handing over their traditions through songs, stories, legends, methods and practices from father to son or mother to daughter or family to family or community to community.
Traditional knowledge is an important part of cultural identities of the

people. Traditional medicines provide affordable treatment to poor people in developing countries 80% of the people depending on the traditional medicine Traditional knowledge is old in the cense that has been handed down through the generations The groups that hold traditional knowledge are very diverse

Activities of (TKS)

Identification and documentation of indigenous and traditional

knowledge. Action research Designing and developing appropriate training modules. Linking traditional knowledge with livelihoods.

Present scenario of TKS

India has strong base in traditional knowledge systems viz agriculture, irrigation, artisan production, health care etc., based on traditional technical capabilities available locally. The majority of rural people possessing the traditional knowledge not getting adequate returns. Need to restore traditional knowledge by creating a platform with useful framework of market strategies. Only few companies like Dapur, Himalaya having brand name Sowa rigpa is a traditional system in Himalayan region (Tibetan medicine) India has a rich history of being one of the oldest civilizations and health care systems in the world Six recognised health care systems in India are ayurveda, yoga,siddha, unani, naturopathy and homeopathy

Infrastructure under AYUSH

The infrastructure under AYUSH sector consists of 1355 hospitals with 53296 bed capacity 22635 dispensaries 450 Undergraduate colleges, 99 colleges having Post Graduate Departments 9,493 licensed manufacturing units and 7.18 lakh registered practitioners of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy

Important TKS Systems

HEALTH CARE Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, siddha, unani, homeopathy traditional folk medicine (tribal doctors) AGRICULTURE Organic farming, Traditional food processing, Traditional pest control, Inter cropping, Fumigation, Honey bee keeping etc,. Biomass and sustainable energy IRRIGATION Region specific traditional water storage systems Utilisation of stream and river water Rain water harvesting Traditional systems of ground water utilisation

Important TKS Systems

Artisan Activities Handicrafts and rural clusters

Education Gurukul System Transfer of knowledge from generation to generation Veda patanam

Art and Culture ancient forms of arts in different regions traditional cultural practices/regional festivals

Gaps in TKS

Dilution and extinct of traditional health care systems Dying artisan activities Diminishing richness of traditional systems Blocking the knowledge sharing from generation to generation Adverse effect of modern technology Limited efforts and support for promotion and preservation of TKS Loss of traditional life style and traditional knowledge Reluctant of younger members to carry forward traditional practices Lack of respect for traditional knowledge and holders of TKS Lack of proper interventions

Promotion of TKS and role of NCRI

National Council of Rural Institutes (NCRI) wants to promote and preserve the traditional knowledge systems keeping in view of livelihood opportunities in the rural sector NCRI intends: to identify issues for promotion of TKS to address them through proper interventions to take up research, documentation, preservation, dissemination and replication of TKS to upgrade technology of TKS for more livelihood opportunities; and to involve rural institutes/universities for promotion of TKS.

Promotion of TKS and role of NCRI

to help for protection of IPR of TKS to prepare data base of institution dealing with therapies, treatment using herbal and conventional methods to prepare tribal and other traditional folk healers data base to identify institutions across the country working in the systems to draw up action plan and road map of NCRI for promotion of TKS