Framework to Encourage Social Entrepreneurship in Ayurveda Education and Skilling Programs in Bharat

सार

Ayurveda, India’s ancient holistic system of medicine, represents a vast, underutilized reservoir of knowledge for sustainable health and wellness. Despite its global resurgence, the ecosystem around Ayurveda education and professional practice remains largely confined to clinical or academic tracks, with minimal integration of entrepreneurial and social innovation skills. This research paper contends that embedding social entrepreneurship principles into Ayurveda curricula and post-graduation skilling programs is not merely an economic opportunity but a Dharmic (righteous) imperative aligned with Ayurveda’s own foundational ethos of Seva (service) and Lokasangraha (welfare of the world). Through a mixed-methods case study analysis, this paper examines the current landscape using government data, identifies critical gaps, proposes a contextualized framework for integration and showcases pioneering models. The findings suggest that such integration can catalyze a new generation of Ayurveda entrepreneurs who build mission-driven ventures—from rural health clinics and medicinal plant conservation enterprises to value-added product startups—directly addressing public health challenges, preserving biodiversity and generating dignified employment. The paper concludes with specific, actionable recommendations for policymakers, academic institutions and funding agencies to institutionalize this paradigm shift.