Introduction
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, has been implementing “Central Sector Scheme of Special Central Assistance (SCA) to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP)” since 1980 for the development of the Scheduled Castes who form a major chunk of the country’s population living below the poverty line. Under the Scheduled Castes Development Bureau, the Ministry implements the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP), which is an umbrella strategy to ensure the flow of targeted financial and physical benefits from all the general sectors of development for the benefit of the Scheduled Castes. At present, 27 States/UTs having sizable SC population are implementing the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan.
As per the objectives mentioned in the guidelines of Special Central Assistance to Scheduled caste Sub plan (SCA to SCSP), only those schemes should be included that ensure direct benefits to individuals or families belonging to the Scheduled castes, and priority should be given for providing basic minimum services. As a part of this, from the funds allocated to the Ministry of Ayush, the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), initiated the Women and Child Healthcare Program (WCH) under the Scheduled Caste Sub-plan (SCSP) for undertaking outreach health care services through its peripheral institutes
Aim:
To provide health care through Ayurveda and to observe the health status of Women & children in the areas predominantly inhabited by the scheduled castes.
Primary Objective:
To provide health care services to Women & children through Ayurveda interventions (as adjuvant to the ongoing treatment (if any) for various disease conditions through outreach OPDs and health camps.
Secondary Objectives:
- To provide preventive healthcare through awareness regarding Ayurveda-based lifestyle advocacy.
- To estimate the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices related to menstruation among women of reproductive age.
- To assess the effect of Ayurveda-based Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) module on Knowledge, Attitude and Practices related to menstruation among women of reproductive age.
Summary of Activities done during 2024-25
The team visited five villages, namely Vizhinjam, Vellanad, Athiyannoor, Kottukal, and Anad, and 7924 patients benefited. Among these Vatavyadhi, Sandhigata Vata, and Katee graham were the predominant ones. Among these, 3784 belong to the SC category. Also, a total of 10385 lab investigations were carried out at the health care camps. In this project, two survey projects entitled (a) A cross-sectional community-based study on knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) related to menstruation among women of reproductive age, and (b) Effect of Ayurveda-based Advocacy on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices related to menstruation among women of reproductive age- A Community-based Study. Awareness classes on various topics were delivered at health care camps, including general health awareness for women and children, Awareness on reproductive health, lifestyle diseases in women, etc. Apart from these special days like World Environment Day, International Yoga Day, Ayurveda Day, etc, were also observed.
2025-26
Introduction
Under the WCH (SCSP) programme, two projects were executed during the 2025–26 year titled “Documentation of Ethno-dietary Practices Indigenous to India” and “Documentation of Plants, Metals, Minerals, Animal Products, and Other Materials Used in Various Indigenous Religious Practices and Rituals across India.” In addition to the research components, healthcare services were provided to 908 beneficiaries over the course of 72 field visits.
Documentation of ethno- dietary practices indigenous to India
Introduction
India boasts a diverse and rich cuisine, with its various diets deeply connected to social identity, religion, and other cultural factors. Food is a crucial aspect of our identity and culture, reflected in our dietary traditions. However, understanding the food practices of various ethnic groups can be a challenging endeavour. Food habits vary widely among different communities across the globe. An individual’s dietary patterns are closely tied to the lifestyle they lead. However, food habits are significantly shaped by society’s values, beliefs, customs, and traditions. Along with these socio-cultural influences, factors such as religion, education, and economic conditions also play a key role in shaping food behaviours. This is a study to document the ethno-dietary practices across the selected states of India. Recognizing distinct patterns in a large dietary survey can provide a clearer and more accurate picture of people’s eating habits.
Objectives
- To systematically document the indigenous ethno-dietary practices in diverse geographical areas and communities across India.
- To critically analyse the variation in indigenous dietary practices based on state, zone, region, cultural/ethnic group and community.
iii. To assess the understanding and perception of the community about the relevance and health benefits of indigenous ethno-dietary practices
- To validate the documented data regarding indigenous ethno-dietary practices.
Summary of Activities done during 2025-26
Under the WCH (SCSP) programme, two projects were executed during the year 2025–26. One of these projects, titled “Documentation of Ethno-dietary Practices Indigenous to India,” was carried out across four districts: Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Kannur, and Kasaragod.
A total of 16 blocks were covered during the year, from which four specific blocks (comprising two rural and two urban areas) were selected for detailed documentation. To capture these ethno-dietary practices—including both common and special recipes—the team conducted 80 In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) and 16 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs).
‘Documentation of plants, metals, minerals, animal products and other materials used in various indigenous religious practices and rituals across India’
Introduction
India is a nation rich in a variety of cultures & traditions. Various religious practices and rituals are performed in different regions, religions and communities. Religious practices and rituals serve the purpose of connecting the believers to the divine, devotional practice, and keeping harmony with the universe. Rituals are the ways to express core values, beliefs and traditions of the community. Religious practices in India’s culture are very old, and they are an integral part of the unique culture. This study has been taken with an objective to document the plants, metals, minerals, animal products and other materials used in indigenous religious practices and rituals in diverse geographical areas and communities across India which will contribute to preservation and promotion of religious practices and rituals.
Objectives
Primary objective:
1) To systematically document plants, metals, minerals, animal products and other materials used in various indigenous religious practices and rituals across different regions, cultural groups, and communities of India.
2) To critically analyse the variation in indigenous religious practices and rituals across different states, zones, regions, cultures, and communities within India.
3) To assess the understanding and perception in the community about the relevance and health benefits of indigenous religious practices and rituals.
4) To validate the documented data regarding indigenous religious practices and rituals.
Summary of Activities done during 2025-26
Under the WCH (SCSP) programme, two projects were executed during the year 2025–26. One of these projects, titled ‘Documentation of plants, metals, minerals, animal products and other materials used in various indigenous religious practices and rituals across India’ was carried out across four districts: Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Kannur, and Kasaragod.A total of 16 blocks were covered during the year, from which four specific blocks (comprising two rural and two urban areas) were selected for detailed documentation. To capture these religious practices and rituals; the team conducted 80 In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) and 1 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). In addition to the district-level documentation, the team visited famous religious places, and conducted 13 In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) and one Focus Group Discussion (FGD) to record their unique practices. Furthermore, a FGD was held at the Vastu Vidya Gurukulam in Aranmula to document the specialized practices preserved there.