The Ministry of Ayush has conferred the prestigious National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards 2025 to three leading figures of Ayurveda — Prof. Banwari Lal Gaur, Vaidya Neelakandhan Mooss E.T., and Vaidya Bhavana Prasher. The recognition highlights their lifelong commitment to advancing Ayurveda through education, traditional practice, and modern scientific research.
Prof. Banwari Lal Gaur: Guardian of Ayurvedic Scholarship
Prof. Banwari Lal Gaur, a distinguished academician and Sanskrit scholar, has devoted over six decades to strengthening Ayurvedic education and literature. He has authored 31 books and more than 300 scholarly works, including 319 publications in Sanskrit. His mentorship of 24 PhD candidates and 48 postgraduates reflects his role in shaping the next generation of Ayurvedic scholars.
Recipient of numerous national honors, including the Rashtrapati Samman, Prof. Gaur described the award as a recognition of Ayurveda’s collective spirit and expressed hope that it inspires young minds to take forward the tradition with sincerity and dedication.
Vaidya Neelakandhan Mooss: Custodian of Kerala’s Healing Heritage
Vaidya Neelakandhan Mooss E.T., head of the Vaidyaratnam Group, carries forward a 200-year-old Ayurvedic legacy as part of the eighth generation of his family. Leading a team of over 100 physicians, he has expanded Kerala’s traditional healing practices to national and international audiences.
His initiatives, such as Marmayanam and Vajra, focus on community health, while his practical handbook on Panchakarma is a vital resource for practitioners. Accepting the award, Vaidya Mooss expressed gratitude and reiterated his commitment to serving communities and mentoring young vaidyas.
Vaidya Bhavana Prasher: Bridging Ayurveda and Modern Genomics
Vaidya Bhavana Prasher, a scientist at CSIR–Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), has been honored for her groundbreaking work in Ayurgenomics. Her research integrates traditional Ayurvedic principles like Prakriti and Tridosha with genomic science, paving the way for personalized and predictive healthcare.
Her AI and ML-based Prakriti analysis protocols have already been adopted in national initiatives such as the Rashtriya Prakriti Parikshan Karyakram. In her acceptance message, she described the award as an encouragement for all researchers working to integrate Ayurveda with evidence-based scientific studies.
Celebrating Excellence in Ayurveda
The National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards, instituted by the Ministry of Ayush, are among the highest honors in the field of traditional medicine. The 2025 awardees exemplify the three dimensions of Ayurveda: scholarship, traditional practice, and scientific innovation. Together, they represent the continuity and evolution of Ayurveda in contemporary healthcare.
