New Delhi, 22 September (IANS). Ayurvedacharya PR Krishna Kumar was a personality with versatility, who made his mark as a good doctor, teacher, philosopher, administrator, entrepreneur and spiritual guide. He discharged all these roles with amazing balance in his life.
Born on 23 September in 1951, Krishna Kumar, the great promoter of Ayurveda and the founder of ‘The Arya Vaidya Pharmacy Coimbatore’ was the son of Arya Vaidyan PV Ram Verrier. His grandfather was a Sanskrit scholar, poet and Vaidya. Father Ram Verrier’s dream was to take Ayurveda to the global stage and prepare a physician for the new generation who had a confluence of both tradition and modernity. This vision became the guide of Krishna Kumar’s life.
After getting education from Shineur Ayurveda College, Krishna Kumar made the promotion of Ayurveda education his life. In the hospital in Coimbatore, he developed a holistic medical approach by connecting Ayurveda with astrology and divine treatment methods, which also influenced modern doctors.
Krishna Kumar insisted on scientific certification. With his efforts, in 1977, WHO and ICMR started the first clinical trial on Ayurveda treatment (especially rheumatoid arthritis). Not only this, the National Institute of Health of America also funded the project in 2004-06, which was a historic moment for India. He believed that the globalization of Ayurveda is meaningful only when his tradition is not tampered with at all.
He promoted preventable medicine and health tourism by staying beyond the commercial pressures of the tourism industry. By traveling in the country and abroad, he gave Ayurveda a global identity with the help of yoga and meditation.
Krishna Kumar was not limited to medical only, he contributed to the Renaissance of Indian culture and values through organizations such as Kshetopasana Trust and Bharatmuni Foundation. Students still teach traditional Indian sciences in their trusts and schools.
He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2009 for the Ayurveda’s global propagation and contribution to education reform. However, he always used to say that this is not mine, but Ayurveda is respected. Swami Vivekananda’s words often quoted that every new idea had to face ridicule first, then opposition, and eventually acceptance.
-IANS
PSK/AS