Introduction of Asfa

THE HISTORY OF AYURVEDA

Ayurveda, the science of life, prevention and longevity is the oldest and most

holistic medical system available on the planet today. It was placed in written

form over 5,000 years ago in India, it was said to be a world medicine dealing

with both body and the spirit. Before the advent of writing, the ancient wisdom

of this healing system was a part of the spiritual tradition of the Sanatana

Dharma (Universal Religion), or Vedic Religion. VedaVyasa, the famous

sage, shaktavesha avatar of Vishnu, put into writing the complete knowledge

of Ayurveda, along with the more directly spiritual insights of self realization

into a body of scriptural literature called the Vedas and the Vedic literatures.

There are two main re-organizers of Ayurveda whose works are still existing

in tact today - Charak and Sushrut. The third major treatise is called the

Ashtanga Hridaya, which is a concise version of the works of Charak and

Sushrut. Thus the three main Ayurvedic texts that are still used today are the

Charak Samhita (compilation of the oldest book Atreya Samhita), Sushrut

Samhita and the Ashtangha Hridaya Samhita. These books are believed to be

over 1,200 years old. It is because these texts still contain the original and

complete knowledge of this Ayurvedic world medicine, that Ayurveda is known

today as the only complete medical system still in existence. Other forms of

medicine from various cultures, although parallel are missing parts of the

original information.

S.V.Patel College of Computer Science & Business Administration- 1 -

INTRODUCTION OF AYURVEDA

Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine from India that uses a constitutional

model. Its aim is to provide guidance regarding food and lifestyle so that

healthy people can stay healthy and folks with health challenges can improve

their health.

There are several aspects to Ayurveda that are quite unique:

Its recommendations will often be different for each person regarding which

foods and which lifestyle they should follow in order to be completely healthy.

This is due to its use of a constitutional model.

Everything in Ayurveda is validated by observation, inquiry, direct

examination and knowledge derived from the ancient texts.

It understands that there are energetic forces that influence nature and

human beings. These forces are called the Tridoshas.

Because Ayurveda sees a strong connection between the mind and the

body, a huge amount of information is available regarding this relationship.

Theory of Tridosha

Ayurvedic practitioners take into consideration the body constitution of a

patient before prescribing any medicine, for the medicine, which suits a vatiya

(vata) constitution, will not help a patient having shleshmic (kapha)

constitution.

Tridosha – its types and correlation with Panchmahabhoota

VATA

Organ in which situated Dominant Mahabhoota

Prana Murdha (palate) jala

Samana Koshtha (stomach) Agni

Vyana Sarva sharer (whole body) vayu


Apana Muladhara (genitourinary tract) prithvi

Udana Urh Pradesh (chest) akasha

PITTA

Aalochak Netra (eye) agni

Sadhak Hridaya (heart) aakash

Pachak Koshtha (stomach) prithvi

Ranjak Yakrit, pleeha (liver, spleen) jala

Bhrajak Tvak (skin) vayu

KAPHA

Bodhak Jivha (tongue) Agni

Kledak Amashaya (stomach) jala

Avlambak Hridaya (heart) prithvi

Tarpak Indriya (sense organs) akasha

Shleshak Sandhi (joints) vayu

Principal of ayurveda

According to ayurvedic philosophy an individual bundle of `spirit’, desirous of

expressing itself, uses subjective consciousness or Satwa to manifest sense

organs and a mind. Spirit and mind then project themselves into a physical

body, created from the five (Pancha) great (maha) eternal elements (bhutas)

– together called the Panchamahabhutas – which arise from Tamas. The

sense organs then using Rajas to project from the body into the external

world to experience their objects. The body becoming the mind’s vehicle, its

physical instrument for sense gratification.

The Bhutas combine into "Tridoshas" or bioenergetics forces that govern

and determine our health or physical condition. While the three gunas (Rajas

or activity, Tamas or inertia and Satwa, which balances the first two) or

psychic forces determine our mental and spiritual health. Ayurveda is thus a

holistic system of health care that teaches us to balance these energies in

order to achieve optimum health and well being


The Panchamahabhutas

Akash Vayu Agni Prithvi Jal

According to Ayurveda everything in life is composed of the

Panchamahabhutas – Akash (Space), Vayu (Air), Jal (Water), Agni (Fire)

and Prithvi (Earth). Omnipresent, they are mixed in an infinite variety of

relative proportions such that each form of matter is distinctly unique.

Although each element has a range of attributes, only some get evident in

particular situations. Constantly changing and interacting with each other, they

create a situation of dynamic flux that keeps the world going.

Within a simple, single living cell for example the earth element predominates

by giving structure to the cell. The water element is present in the cytoplasm

or the liquid within the cell membrane. The fire element regulates the

metabolic processes regulating the cell. While the air element predominates

the gases therein. The space occupied by the cell denoting the last of the

elements.

In the case of a complex, multi-cellular organism as a human being for

instance, akash corresponds to spaces within the body (mouth, nostrils,

abdomen etc.); vayu denotes the movement (essentially muscular); agni

controls the functioning of enzymes (intelligence, digestive system,

metabolism); jal is in all body fluids (as plasma, saliva, digestive juices); and

prithvi manifests itself in the solid structure of the body (bones, teeth, flesh,

hair et al).


THE AYURVEDIC MEDICINE INDUSTRY IN INDIA

Ayurvedic medicines are produced by several thousand companies in India,

but most of them are quite small, including numerous neighborhood

pharmacies that compound ingredients to make their own remedies. It is

estimated that the total value of products from the entire Ayurvedic production

in India is on the order of one billion dollars (U.S.). The industry has been

dominated by less than a dozen major companies for decades, joined recently

by a few others that have followed their lead, so that there are today 30

companies doing a million dollars or more per year in business to meet the

growing demand for Ayurvedic medicine. The products of these companies

are included within the broad category of "fast moving consumer goods"

(FMCG; which mainly involves foods, beverages, toiletries, cigarettes, etc.).

Most of the larger Ayurvedic medicine suppliers provide materials other than

Ayurvedic internal medicines, particularly in the areas of foods and toiletries

(soap, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.), where there may be some overlap with

Ayurveda, such as having traditional herbal ingredients in the composition of

toiletries.

The key suppliers in Ayurveda are Dabur, Baidyanath, and Zandu,

which together have about 85% of India's domestic market. These and a

handful of other companies are mentioned repeatedly by various writers about

the Ayurvedic business in India; a brief description is provided for them,

arranged here from oldest to newest.


STATUS OF AYURVEDA IN INDIA

The Indian government and non-government organizations have been

collecting statistics on the Ayurvedic system in India and these data about the

manpower and institutional aspects of Ayurveda have emerged:

Number of registered medical practitioners: 366,812

Number of dispensaries: 22,100

Number of hospitals: 2,189

Number of hospital beds: 33,145

Number of teaching institutions (undergraduate): 187

Number of upgraded postgraduate departments: 51

Number of specialties in postgraduate medical training: 16

Number of pharmacies manufacturing Ayurvedic medicines: 8,400

In India, 60% of registered physicians are involved in non-allopathic

systems of medicine. In addition to the nearly 400,000 Ayurvedic practitioners,

there are over 170,000 homeopathic physicians; India has about 500,000

medical doctors (similar to the number in the U.S., but serving nearly 4 times

as many people). Reliance on Ayurvedic medicine is heavy in certain regions

of India, such as Kerala in the Southwest. Many Ayurvedic practitioners in

small villages are not registered. One of the famous clinics of India is

described in Appendix 2 and a new clinic complex is serving visitors from

abroad is mentioned in Appendix 3.


MODERN MARKET DEVELOPMENTS

The SAARC (South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation) was formed in

1985; its member countries are India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan,

Maldives, and Sri Lanka. These countries all have been influenced by

Ayurvedic medicine. Trade in Ayurvedic medicines within the SAARC is

mostly limited to raw materials that grow in one region (e.g., high mountains,

northern climate) and are then exported to other regions (e.g., lowland

southern areas). Because of the large number of very small factories that try

to service the local communities, with products labeled with the local

language, there is little opportunity for suppliers in one SAARC country to

send finished products to another SAARC or even abroad.

Entrepreneurs in these countries (mainly in India) seeking to break into

the market for natural products have determined, rightly, that the demand for

traditional style Ayurvedic medicines both inside and outside the region is

limited, despite growth trends as high as 20% annually encountered in the late

1990s. They have aimed to bolster interest by carrying out scientific research

into promising herbs and formulas that are based on Ayurveda but not

necessarily reflecting traditional practices. Of necessity, such research

eventually focuses on finding of active ingredients, and this has led to the

development of isolates from plants that are sold as "nutriceuticals"

(substances not registered as drugs, but used like nutritional and dietary

supplements, sold over the counter in various formulations with specific health

benefits portrayed for them). For these, there is a growing worldwide demand.

The main suppliers of nutriceuticals are Japan, China, and the U.S., but India

stands to become a significant contributor.


HISTORY AND INTRODUCTION OF ASFA

Once in a golden morning Shri Swami Atmanand Sarswati comes in Surat

and he start to give knowledge of culture/ religion and ayurveda by his

lectures at every place of Surat city. He set up Tapi Brahmcharya Ashram at

the land which was donated to in at the bank of river Tapi. In Ashram many

student study about Ayurveda and Sanskrit. And with passes of time he

started an ayurvedic clinic and a Pharmacy for medicines needed to run clinic.

And slowly with flow of time the promotion and expansion, the small

Pharmacy become only one co-operative ayurvedic pharmacy of Gujarat

which is established in 2nd June, 1948 with name Shri Swami Atmanand

Sarswati Co-operative Pharmacy Limited which is known as its short name

“Asfa”.

“Asfa” (Shri Swami Atmanand Sarswati Ayurvedic Co-operative Pharmacy

Limited) is established in 1948 in Surat at the bank of river Tapi. It is an only

one co-operative pharmaceutical pharmacy in Gujarat. Shri Swami Atmanand

Sarswati who was the man with strong mind power established the Pharmacy.

Shri Swami Atmanand Sarswati was spent his whole life in survive of people

and teach Ayurved to his Shishyas. He had only one goal of his whole life as

follows:

“I don’t desire state, I don’t desire paradise, I even don’t desire moksh,

but I desire to solve the problems of people who are suffering from the

dieses by way of using Ayurvedic treatment.”

Asfa has its head office at chowta pool and it has a factory at Varachha road

in Surat. Asfa also expanded its production capacity and established one

more factory at Navagam. Asfa has about 4000 members now but when it

was started it has only 70 members to operate various activities.


By showing the above mentioned figure we can say that Asfa is very rapidly

grow and expand in whole Gujarat. It has opened branches at Valsad,

Baroda, Ahemdabad, Bardoli and Bharuch etc. It has also work as a

consulting in Valsad and Surat. It established a consulting clinic in Valsad

where the information about various ayurvedic medicines is provided to

people without taking any pay.

Asfa sold its product in most of cities of Gujarat and Mumbai through its

dealers. Asfa has widely distributed dealer network. Asfa produce qualitative

product, by reason of that a slogan “Aushadho to Asfa nij”.

Asfa get a certificate of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) from Gujarat

state food and medicine Control Corporation. Asfa is a first Pharmacy which is

gets this type of certificate. Asfa get GMP certificate in 2004 and also get ISO

9001 in 2005 and laboratory of Asfa get permission from food and medicines

commissioner’s office, Gandhinagar.


BOARD OF DERECTORS OF ASFA

1. Dr. Navinbhai B. Patel President

2. Shri Ramanlal P. Patel Wise President

3. Dr. Purushotambhai P. Mistri Minister

4. Dr. Kanubhai G. Mavani Member

5. Dr. Chhotubhai L. Patel Member

6. Dr. Tarunkumar M. Pathak Member

7. Dr. Abhaybhai R. Shah Member

8. Shri Sanmukhbhai J. Patel Member

9. Shri Ranchhodbhai K. Patel Member

10. Dr. Bankimchandra R. Thakar Member

11. Dr. Pragneshbhai I. Desai Member

12. Shri Jagdishbhai P. Patel Member

13. Shri Arvindbhai M. Patel Member

14. Dr. Pradipbhai J. Suryavanshi Member

15. Dr. Iswarbhai K. Patel Member


LIST OF DEALERS

There are 66 dealers of Asfa in whole Gujarat. Here represent only name

of cities in which Asfa has dealers.

The cities are:-

Ankleshwer (3) Vapi (1)

Ahemadabad (7) Vadodara (2)

Amod (1) Viramgam (1)

Mahuva (1) Vidhyanagar (1)

Bharuch (2)

Bilimora (4)

Bardoli (1)

Chikhali (2)

Godhara (1)

Gandevi (1)

Gandhinagar (1)

Junagarh (2)

Kathor (1)

Kapadvanj (1)

Kamrej (1)

Kilapad (1)

Mumbai (1)

Mandavi (1)

Amran (1)

Navasari (4)

Porbandar (1)

Surat (14)

Rajkot (3)

Rajpipala (1)

Surendranagar (2)

Vyara (2)


Location of Factory and Branches

Factory of Asfa

1. Near Panini taki,

Varachha road,

Surat-395006

Phone no. (0261-648092, 644410)

2. 17, 18, Navagam Udhyognagar Co-operative Sangh

Navagam,

District: Kamrej,

Surat,

Phone no: (02621-252440)

Branches:

1. Near Bank of Baroda,

Chouta pool,

Surat,

Phone no: 0261-426413

2. Ayurvedic Hospital Compound,

Station road,

Surat.

3. Dhanasutar Ni Poll,

Relief road,

Ahemadabad.


4. Balavant Building,

Kharivav road,

Baroda.

5. 8, Navrang Shopping Center,

Panch Bati,

Bharuch.

6. 3,Amar Chambers,

Near the lal school,

Valsad.

7. Hirachand Nagar,

Station road,

Bardoly.


BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAIRMAN

VICE PRESEDENT

SECRETORY

GENERAL MANAGER

PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT

ADMINISTRATION DEPT.

ASSISTANT PRO. MANAGER

SUPERVISOR

WORKERS

ACCOUNTANT

CASHIER

SENIOR CLERK

RAW MATERIALDEPARTMENT

SALES DEPARTMENT

ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE OF ASFA


FUTURE PLAN OF ASFA

This company is only limited in Gujarat but now it went to expand there

business and introduce its product in new state.

To increase the quality of their product

Change packaging style and use new and attractive style of packaging

Use modern technique of production and expand their capacity

Introduce cosmetics product of Asfa in the market


Documents

Introduction of Asfa