Vaidyaratnam P.S. Varier’s Arya Vaidya Sala at Kottakkal and its dozens of branches across the country are in a celebratory mood.
Arya Vaidya Sala’s managing trustee and former chief physician Aryavaidyan P.K. Warrier is turning 100 this week. It was Dr. Warrier who led Arya Vaidya Sala to heights of fame and glory in the last six decades. Since he became the head of Arya Vaidya Sala in 1954, his name has become synonymous with Kottakkal Ayurveda.
A Padmabhushan awardee, Dr. Warrier enjoys the highest echelon among the practitioners of Ayurveda across the world.
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Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the centenary birthday celebrations of Dr. Warrier through Zoom on Tuesday. K.K. Abid Husain Thangal, MLA of Kottakkal, presided over the function.
The Chief Minister, while wishing Dr. Warrier good health and cheer, said very few in the world would be blessed like him. “It is a celebration of not only Arya Vaidya Sala, but of everyone who loves Ayurveda,” he said. He recalled the contributions made by Dr. Warrier to Kerala’s culture.
Mr. Vijayan said that although the birthday celebrations were reduced to a virtual platform, the rejoicing reflected in the people’s minds. “The unadulterated love that Dr. Warrier displayed for his fellow beings is the biggest quality that kept him apart,” he said.
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Arya Vaidya Sala chief physician P. Madhavankutty Varier welcomed the gathering. District Collector K. Gopalakrishnan, Kottakkal Municipal Chairperson Bushra Shabeer, and former AYUSH Secretary Shailaja Chandra spoke. Arya Vaidya Sala chief executive officer G.C. Gopala Pillai proposed vote of thanks.
Although Arya Vaidya Sala had planned the celebrations titled ‘Satapoornima’ in an elaborate and rejoicing manner, COVID restrictions forced it to curtail the event.
An awareness seminar was held in collaboration with the Singapore Malayali Association on Saturday. A scientific seminar will be held on Thursday in association with JSS Ayurveda College, Mysuru. A lecture series for Ayurveda students and teachers will begin on June 8 by joining hands with Vaidyaratnam P.S. Varier Ayurveda College, Kottakkal.
Some books are also being brought out to mark the occasion. Events like book releases, cultural and literary meetings, painting exhibitions, Ayurveda seminars, and friendly gatherings are on the cards. “We are hopeful the pandemic situation permits us to celebrate in a befitting manner,” said Dr. Madhavankutty Varier.