NewzVille Desk
The Ministry of AYUSH conferred the National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards 2025 on Prof. Banwari Lal Gaur, Vaidya Neelakandhan Mooss E.T., and Vaidya Bhavana Prasher, recognising their outstanding contributions in the field of Ayurveda across academic, traditional, and scientific domains.
The awards are given individuals who have made impactful contributions to the promotion, preservation, and advancement of Ayurveda.
The awardees this year, represent a unique convergence of classical scholarship, living tradition, and scientific innovation.
Prof. Banwari Lal Gaur
Prof. Banwari Lal Gaur, a noted scholar and academician, has spent more than six decades contributing to teaching Ayurveda. He also a Sanskrit scholar. He has authored 31 books and over 300 academic works, including 319 publications in Sanskrit.
His mentorship of 24 PhD scholars and 48 postgraduates highlights his role in shaping the academic future of Ayurveda.
He has received several national honours, including the Rashtrapati Samman, for his contributions to Ayurvedic literature and education.
Vaidya Neelakandhan Mooss E.T.
Vaidya Neelakandhan Mooss E.T., head of the Vaidyaratnam Group, represents the eighth generation of a family with a 200-year-old Ayurvedic legacy. He leads a team of over 100 physicians and has contributed to extending Kerala’s classical Ayurvedic practices to national and global audiences. His initiatives include community health programmes such as Marmayanam and Vajra, and a practical handbook on Panchakarma.
His work exemplifies the continuity of Ayurveda as a living tradition that adapts while preserving its classical roots.
Vaidya Bhavana Prasher
Vaidya Bhavana Prasher, a scientist at CSIR–IGIB, has been recognised for her pioneering work in the field of Ayurgenomics. Her research bridges traditional Ayurvedic concepts such as Prakriti and Tridosha with modern genomic science, enabling advancements in predictive and personalised healthcare.
Her AI and ML-based Prakriti analysis protocols have been integrated into national programmes such as the Rashtriya Prakriti Parikshan Karyakram, helping expand the scope of Ayurveda in public health.
The National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards, instituted by the Ministry of AYUSH, are among the highest honours in the field of traditional Indian medicine.
