It was way back in 1977, noted Ayurveda exponent that P R Krishna Kumar conceived a unique 7½ year course to shape ayurvedic doctors based on the ancient gurukula pattern. Affiliated first to Madras University and later to Bharathiar University, the course was tailored in such a way that students resided with their masters in a green, calm environment. The curriculum included spiritual practices and traditional martial arts apart from old ayurvedic manuscripts.
The course succeeded in creating a unique breed of Ayurveda scholars, now known in academic circles as the Coimbatore experiment. It was provided free of cost, despite being a financial burden on the Coimbatore Arya Vaidya Phramacy, where he was the managing trustee. Over 100 students completed the course before it was wound up in the 1980s due to the interventions of national bodies of Ayurveda and higher education.
"They wanted to cut short the duration of the course to five years, to be taught in classrooms by teachers getting UGC salaries. They forgot that it was a free course. Finally, I wound up the gurukula institution and started a self-financing ayurveda college as permitted by the authorities. It is a huge success economically, collecting capitation fees and other monies from students. But it fails to churn out socially responsible doctors," says Krishnakumar, one of the world renowned residents of Coimbatore, talking to TOI on the occasion of his 60{+t} {+h} birthday.
"The old Gurukula had moulded some of the best ayurveda doctors in the country, who made a substantial contribution to the treatment of many diseases," said Krishnakumar, whose continued efforts over the last four decades has put Coimbatore on the world map of alternative medicines.
The ayurvedic expert was recently honoured with Padmasree by the union government. He is instrumental in growing Arya Vaidya Pharmacy, which began in a small rented room at Trichy Road in Ramanathapuram in 1943, into a force to reckon with as it currently produces 400 therapeutic medicines. The company has three hospitals, one medicine manufacturing plant, 50 branches and over 1000 retail outlets.
Thanks to Krishnakumar's efforts, the pharmacy initiated clinical research in rheumatoid arthritis with the support of WHO and ICMR. It was the first clinical research on traditional medicines. Krishnakumar earns more good will in the countryside where he regularly conducts free ayurvedic camps targeting the rural poor. His clients include many leading politicians, corporate heads, film stars and diplomats. "Both Arjun Singh and Ashok Singhal were my patients and the regulars here include Vaiko, Mohanlal, Vikram and singer Yesudas,'' says Krishnakumar.
Former union minister Arun Shouri, space scientist K Kasturirangan and Indian Knowledge Systems Centre director A V Balasubrahmniam are among those who will attend the birth day celebrations organised on September 21, 22 and 23.
Source:TNN
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