The Pioneers of Ayurveda
Multi-Generational Ayurvedic Practitioners continuing the legacy of their founder Vaidyaratna Pandit Divi Gopalacharulu
Chennai, February 19, 2023: Ayurveda is often considered to be one of the oldest healing science in the world, with age-old wisdom and knowledge, passed through countless generations. Ayurveda enables, one to understand the balance of body, mind and consciousness according to the individual constitution.
The Government of India has established the AYUSH Ministry which is reviving the ancient health systems and propagating AYUSH. During the pandemic, KabasuraKudineer and Sasi Vilas which are immunity boosters with anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and antibacterial properties were widely used to contain the spread of the Coronavirus.
One of the front runners of the Ayurvedic movement in Modern India was Vaidyaratna Pandit Divi Gopalacharulu, the founder of the renowned Ayurvedasramam Pvt Ltd. He was instrumental in writing and publishing innumerable Ayurvedic books in Telugu like Madhava Nidanam, Arkaprakasha, PathyaPathya and many more. He played a pivotal role in keeping Ayurveda alive during the difficult periods of the Indian Independence struggle.
During the 1930’s plague breakout, he saved thousands by incorporating two key medicines- Sasi Vilas and HemadriPanakam. For his great service rendered to society, he was bestowed the title of Vaidyaratna by British Viceroy, Lord Hardinge of Penshurst. He has been awarded other prestigious honours by the Mysore Maharaja in 1915 and in the inaugural National Ayurveda Congress in 1922. He was also conferred with the rare title of ‘Bhishagamani’ and ‘Ayurveda Martanda’ in 1907
Desikacharlu took over the reins after Vaidyaratna Pandit D Gopalacharulu. He was instrumental in taking Ayurvedasramam to International waters. He spread his medical expertise and Ayurvedic literature across the Indian Subcontinent which includes Sri Lanka, Burma, Pakistan and Afghanistan. He was followed by his son Dr Gopalacharlu, who was the longest-standing head of the organization and served the country through Ayurveda for 42 years. He was succeeded by Dr D Desikacharlu and later by Dr D Jayashree who began heading operations at SAMH in 1988.
Dr Jayashree Desikacharulu is the fifth-generation practitioner from the illustrious family of Vaidyaratna Pandit D. Gopalacharulu. She has successfully treated 50000+ patients and 200+ COVID patients in Shree Ayurvedic Multispecialty Hospital. She was honoured with the “Legendary Medical Practitioners of India Award – Ayurveda” of 2015 by World Wide Media Corporation, USA. She is also instrumental in Ayurvedic Immunization (SvarnaPrashna) in Chennai for the 0-16 age group and has formulated and patented more than 45 Herbal and Ayurvedic Health Products for General Nutrition and diseases ranging from Diabetes, Joint pain, Skin problems, Weight loss, Immunity and Cholesterol. She also introduced and established the Ayurvedic Surgery Division in Shree Hospitals along with Dr D. Srikrishna in 2016.
Dr D. Srikrishna Desikacharulu is the sixth generation scion of the SAMH family. He has treated over 5000 patients since completing his Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine and Surgery in 2012. He has championed a holistic approach at Shree Hospitals by including Yoga, Medical Astrology, NLP and Pranic healing. He has conducted 130 Free Medical Camps and Ayurvedic Health Awareness Programs in various corporate companies like TVS, Hindustan Motors and Infosys. His initiative, “Be your own Doctor”, to create public awareness and educate the general public on health tips and self-analysis of the body constitution was a huge success in reaching Ayurveda to the general public. Under his supervision Ayurvedic ENT, Opthalmology and Ayurvedic Cardiology departments were introduced.
Both Dr Jayashree Desikacharulu and Dr D. Srikrishna Desikacharulu have been invited as speakers by different online forums during the period of covid to share their knowledge in prevention and curative techniques, which have helped many people in combating corona virus.
D Sriranga Desikacharulu joined the organization in 2020 and under his leadership, the manufacturing unit has been setting new benchmarks. His knowledge of digitalization has resulted in adaptingnew technological standards and has streamlined the modus operandi. His emphasis on following the SOPs has derived efficient results for the organization.
Over the past 200 years, the eminent ayurvedic family has produced stellar doctors and healers who have changed the face of Ayurveda and its practice. The multi-generational family has served the people and worked towards the better health of society through their continuous and sincere efforts. On the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Pandit, they have initiated the VamshaVaidhya Awards to recognize excellence in Ayurveda and Siddha and to promote highly devoted and dedicated families of Ayurveda and Siddha health care and pharmacy. The awards will highlight the legacy of these vedic medicine practitioners who for centuries, have strived to provide world-class health care and expand the Vedic healthcare ecosystem. The first of its kind and the first ever VamshaVaidhya Awards will be held on February 24, 2023, at Green Park, Vadapalani, Chennai.