Padma Shri Ayurveda Physician Vaidya Balendu Prakash passes away at 67
Padma Shri Awardee Vaidya Balendu Prakash
Dehradun: Renowned Ayurveda physician and Padma Shri awardee Vaidya Balendu Prakash, known for his pioneering work in evidence-based Ayurveda and Rasa Shastra, passed away on August 7 at the age of 67 following a sudden heart attack.
The veteran Ayurveda practitioner's last rites are scheduled to be held on August 8 at the family’s native place in Uttar Pradesh, his daughter and Ayurveda physician Vaidya (Dr) Shikha Prakash confirmed.
Prakash was widely recognised for his work in developing research-based Ayurvedic treatment protocols, particularly for cancer and pancreatic disorders. His research on pancreatic diseases and integrative Ayurvedic therapies was published in scientific journals and involved collaboration with leading universities and national scientific institutions, including the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
A prominent authority in Rasa Shastra, the branch of Ayurveda involving therapeutic applications of mineral and metallic preparations, Prakash worked extensively on the clinical use of Ayurvedic bhasmas. His efforts focused on strengthening traditional Ayurvedic approaches through scientific research and documentation, reports Garhwal Post.
In recognition of his contribution to Indian medicine, Prakash received the Padma Shri in 1999. He was also associated with former President KR Narayanan as his personal physician.
Prakash founded Padaav Speciality Ayurveda Centre, initially established in Dehradun and later based in Rudrapur, Udham Singh Nagar. The centre developed a specialised Ayurvedic healthcare model for patients with complex and chronic diseases, combining classical Ayurvedic principles with research-oriented clinical practice.
Over several decades, he authored numerous research papers and publications and received national and international recognition for his work. His approach sought to demonstrate how traditional Ayurvedic practices could be evaluated and strengthened through scientific validation while retaining their classical foundations.
His death has been mourned by members of the Ayurveda fraternity, researchers, patients and others associated with his work. He is survived by his family, including his daughter Vaidya (Dr) Shikha Prakash, who continues his work in Ayurvedic healthcare and research
