It would be appropriate to describe 68-year-old Dr Vasant Lad as India’s ambassador of Ayurveda to the US. Originally from Pune, Lad sees the propagation of Ayurveda as his life’s mission. Such is his dedication that he never tires visitingparts of the US and the UK to explain the benefits of the ancient health science of India that is now winning respect because ayurvedic medicines are free from side-effects.
Lad has enormous gratitude for his hometown, where he spends at least four months treating patients for free. One of his patients engineer BN Chavan, says, “There are not many places where one can get Marma therapy, a form of treatment designed to stimulate 107 alleged vital, epidermal, invisible but palpable “junction points” between mind and matter. As I reside in Thane I cannot afford to go to a doctor in Haridwar. I am happy to get treated from Lad as he is good and also has helped me heal myself.”
Born and brought up in Guruwar Peth, young Lad took the Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine and Surgery (BAM&S) degree from the University of Pune and Master’s of Ayurvedic Science from the Tilak Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, Pune, before becoming a vaidya. He served for three years as medical director of the Ayurveda Hospital in the city and taught Clinical Medicine at the Pune University College of Ayurvedic Medicine for 15 years.
Over the years, his academic and practical training included the study of allopathy, surgery and medical palmistry.In 1979, he travelled throughout the US sharing his knowledge by holding seminars and talks.
There was a turning point in his life in 1984 when he reached Albuquerque, New Mexico and established the Ayurvedic Institute. He has been serving as its director and principal instructor.
Lad has also authored numerous books and won respect throughout the world for his knowledge of ayurveda.
“Ayurveda is vast and other things like, astrology, medical palmistry and vastu shastra are interlinked and related to a person’s illness and health,” he says.
Unlike most non-resident Indians, who are well-settled abroad, Lad makes annual visits to India out of a deep sense of gratitude and to cherish his identity as an Indian.
“I come to Pune every year for the love of the city and Indian culture and people. This is my birth place and my roots are here. One should not forget his roots, which is why I come here every year,” says Lad, who does not charge a penny for his services.He sees about seven patients every evening, giving ample time to each.He directs the money he gets through voluntary contribution to set up a branch of his institute he plans to open near Uruli Kanchan.“I do this work out of love for humanity,” he says.
Interestingly, Lad has many students from US, UK and Germany, who come to Pune at their own expense and choose to serve the patients and learn from Lad. Every year students come to study clinical applications of Ayurveda in November and December.
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