Addressing the sixth national conference of Vigyan Bharati (VIBHA) at MIT-ADT University here, renowned diabetologist Dr Singh said central obesity, visceral obesity and hypertension are high in India.
"The Indian phenotype is different, our DNA is different from the rest of the world so certain diseases are more prevalent in India. To combat these we need an integrated and holistic approach and a combination of our traditional knowledge and modern medicine," he said.
“We must have disparate data on health,” he said.
Describing traditional knowledge as a "special asset", he said the Department of Science and Technology has launched "Traditional Knowledge Digital Library to achieve the best of both worlds".
The minister noted that people who had prejudices against oriental medicine changed their opinions in the time of Covid, and highlighted the advances in science and technology in the last decade. Furthermore, Dr Singh said, "India set its own standards despite meeting international standards." He said that from "350 startups in 2014", India now has "about 1.5 lakh".
In terms of innovation and R&D activities, he shared that India rose to 40th position in the Global Innovation Index from 81st position in 2014. The country also ranks third in "highest number of PhDs in science" as well as in "global startups".
Citing these achievements in the last 10 years, he said that "the so-called developed countries have (now) accepted that India has become a leading nation".
“Being students of science, we are taught to speak with evidence and our belief in Indianness is not just for national pride, but is based on solid scientific research,” Dr Singh said.
"The Indian phenotype is different, our DNA is different from the rest of the world so certain diseases are more prevalent in India. To combat these we need an integrated and holistic approach and a combination of our traditional knowledge and modern medicine," he said.
“We must have disparate data on health,” he said.
Describing traditional knowledge as a "special asset", he said the Department of Science and Technology has launched "Traditional Knowledge Digital Library to achieve the best of both worlds".
The minister noted that people who had prejudices against oriental medicine changed their opinions in the time of Covid, and highlighted the advances in science and technology in the last decade. Furthermore, Dr Singh said, "India set its own standards despite meeting international standards." He said that from "350 startups in 2014", India now has "about 1.5 lakh".
In terms of innovation and R&D activities, he shared that India rose to 40th position in the Global Innovation Index from 81st position in 2014. The country also ranks third in "highest number of PhDs in science" as well as in "global startups".
Citing these achievements in the last 10 years, he said that "the so-called developed countries have (now) accepted that India has become a leading nation".
“Being students of science, we are taught to speak with evidence and our belief in Indianness is not just for national pride, but is based on solid scientific research,” Dr Singh said.
