National Seminar on Medicinal Plants (NSMP)- 2016

Vidyasagar University, named after one of the most illustrious sons of Bengal as well as one of the doyens of Indian Renaissance, Pandit Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar, has grown out of a long cultural and educational movement in West Bengal in general and in the undivided district of Midnapore in particular. The idea of founding a University in the district was mooted by the various organizations, notably by the Regional Education Association, Midnapore, headed by Professor A.K. Gayen of IIT, Kharagpur. The Ghani Committee appointed by the U.G.C. also suggested, among others, for the setting up of a University in Midnapore on the ground of its ‘having a compact area and a manageable number of colleges’ (at that time there were 36 colleges with an enrolment of about 42,000), and also of its ‘having the great advantage of co-operation of the IIT, Kharagpur. The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) awarded Vidyasagar University with a 3-star status. The campus has a picturesque background within which afforestation programmes are being undertaken. The Vidyasagar University thus began its journey to sail through many trials and tribulations.

The Seminar is aimed at creating awareness among students, Researchers, Academicians, Students, Industrialists and budding Entrepreneurs about standardization and Scientific Validation of Medicinal Plants and Herbal Products, methods to be adopted for such studies, practical feasibility of such data and the important role of Medicinal Systems Herbal Formulations to overcome adverse effects of present day Synthetic Chemical Drugs. The theme “Medicinal Plants” will highlight various problems encountered in the development of novel herbal drugs and provide information in the recent advancement made in the herbal drug development. The seminar will provide a platform for interaction among Academicians, Researchers and Industrialists.