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Even something old and time-tested may, on occasion, need a new approach and a fresh reaffirmation. As has been the case with Ayurveda, the science of life and the source of most alternative health-care systems.

At the turn of the 20th century, however, the Ayurveda sector was beset with challenges. Its growth rate was stagnating. Certain 'scientific' reviews were questioning the efficacy of Ayurvedic formulations, given their heavy metal content. European legislation was threatening to bar Ayurveda from the continent for ever. Ayurvedic organizations did register protests but could not garner the cohesive, critical mass needed to make their voices heard. What they needed were advocacy groups and forums to offer robust scientific support to the idea of Ayurveda.

This felt-need for a credible platform to unite all concerned parties to disseminate authentic, unbiased, comprehensive information to national and global audiences catalysed a revivalist movement. As a result, in 2001, the WAC (World Ayurveda Congress) was established, an appropriately optimistic development to harbinger the start of the new millennium. Of course, this was helped by the fact that despite the stated challenges, global awareness of Ayurveda was on the rise. Increasingly, people across the world were discovering what a panacea for lifestyle-related and chronic diseases Ayurveda could be. Also, there was new evidence to validate Ayurvedic scriptures, thus piquing interest in this science.

Over eight years and through three Congresses, the WAC has emerged as a global forum for all stakeholders to not only network with each other but also engage in intellectual exchange to strengthen the Ayurveda sector, reaffirm their sense of purpose and think about the future direction. It showcases advances in relevant fields, orients students and facilitates interaction between professionals and consumers, thus boosting Ayurveda commerce.

The 2007 annual report of the Department of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy) confirms that Ayurveda’s popularity and commerce have improved tremendously since 2001. As the accompanying graph reveals, after the first WAC in 2002, the foreign trade of AYUSH products increased by 48% over the previous year, a rise of Rs 5862 million. There has been continuous growth in AYUSH exports thereafter, showing 74% growth in volume in 2007 as compared to that in 2002. More than 86% of trade related to AYUSH is contributed by Ayurveda.

The report adds that concerned state governments increased budgetary outlays for Ayurveda, in the wake of WAC. In 2003, the Government of India provided Kerala with Rs 2877.5 million via a scheme for hospitals and dispensaries, a humongous increase over the Rs 50 million allotted in the previous year. Maharashtra received Rs 2167.5 million in 2006, a substantial improvement over the Rs 178.9 million allotted in 2005. The Ministry of Railways has included Ayurveda in the health scheme of Railway employees and initiated 39 Ayurvedic dispensaries across India. The Ministry of Coal and Mining has included Ayurveda for the occupational hazards management of miners and started 16 Ayurvedic dispensaries in coal/lignite mines in Central India.

In fact, the WAC's activities have paved the way for betterorganized pro-Ayurvedic movements the world over. To propagate the practice, science and trade of Ayurveda, the WAC organizes events and scientific discourses across the globe. It takes keen interest in trade improvement, acceptance of Ayurveda as a medical system, registration of Ayurvedic practitioners and popularisation of Ayurveda drugs in respective countries.

Having established itself as a vital platform for Ayurveda, the WAC has set itself the following goals for the future (2009–14).

• To facilitate acceptance and recognition for Ayurveda as a complete health system adoptable in all countries across the world
• To create appropriate platforms for ‘scientific basing’ of Ayurveda along with suitable infrastructure to popularize the outcomes
• To make Ayurveda an integral part of health-care management

Within the larger objectives, the specific key achievables identified are as follows.

• To create interest groups in 30 countries including those in the European Union, Association of South-East Asian Nations, the United Arab Emirates, and North America
• To formulate international peer-review panels in basic and medical sciences for credible guidance and validation of research
• To initiate the creation of a network of medical institutions, laboratories, and universities across the world for aiding joint research and creating a database of management efficacy of Ayurveda.