IJAR - The pubmed indexed impact journal of Ayurveda at risk

Publication of International Journal of Ayurveda Research on trouble with inadequate funding - Pharmabiz 06-01-12 Department of Ayush seems to be not keen on the promotion of Ayurveda research and publications. While it is almost close to stalling the continuation of a peer publication titled ‘International Journal of Ayurveda Research’ (IJAR) published with the support of the department of Ayush, many proposals put forth by the industry to steer growth of the sector have not seen the light of the day. The situation has led to a complete suspension of activity in the Department of Ayush which has resulted in the deferring of not just funding but any new initiatives, informed sources familiar with the development but did not wished to be named. With regard to the IJAR, which has been a much-sought after publication may also be discontinued. It is now learnt that its editor has resigned following the low funding extended, making it impossible to publish the Journal in a professional way. The IJAR website indicates that the publication was chaired by a reputed clinical pharmacologist and has a number well known scientists on its advisory board. When the Department of Ayush officials were contacted, they were unavailable to comment. The quantum of financial assistance disbursed this year amounting to around Rs.3 lakh makes it impossible to continue the publication and this is a serious blow to the Ayurveda sector. The publication which has been there for the last 18 months received a fund infusion of Rs.7 lakh when it was approved. Out of this, about Rs.4 lakh was used for publishing and the remaining was allocated for administrative expenses, stated the sources. The IJAR was a source of information and helped the sector to keep abreast of the events in the areas of research. The Journal was much wanted in India where leading researchers like Dr Ashok Vaidya among others contributed articles that indicated the promising prospects of future of Ayurveda research. IJAR had in its short period of publication received wide recognition, and provided a platform to publish high quality scientific research results on Ayurveda. Such publications are also needed to promote the skills of scientific writing, as well as good research methodology. Instances are known when some of the papers from India were not accepted by leading international publications and the reasons given were that these would be published only if the word ‘Ayurveda’ was deleted from the content. Therefore the need for a high quality peer reviewed journals like IJAR provided a source expression by leading Ayurveda research scientists and experts in the industry. “Now with the poor funding and the resignation of its editor, the future of IJAR is in peril. The move by the Department of Ayush is despised as it does not understand the importance of research and its publications, in a time when documentation is considered important,” stated the sources. “The western publications highlighting the importance and indispensability of herbal medicine is biased in content and we required a dedicated high quality Indian publication with the support of the Department of Ayush,” lamented a leading Ayurveda researcher and consultant.  Source: http://pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=66890&sid=1

IJAR - The pubmed indexed impact journal of Ayurveda at risk