Doyen of Ayurveda Dr P K Warrier dies

Malappuram (Ker), Jul 10 (PTI):
Doyen of Ayurveda andmanaging trustee of Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala (KAS) Dr P KWarrier passed away here on Saturday, family sources said. He was 100. KAS sources said Dr Warrier breathed his last around noon.
In his lifetime spanning a century, he treated tens ofthousands of patients from across the globe and his patients included former presidents and former prime ministers of India and abroad. Prime Minister Narendera Modi, in a tweet, extended his condolences to Warrier’s family.
“Saddened by the passing away of Dr. PK Warrier. His contributions to popularise Ayurveda will always be remembered. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti,” he said in his tweet.
Messages poured in from all quarters, including Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Pinararyi Vijayan and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly M B Rajesh, condoling the death of the “patriarch” of Ayurvedic medicine.
The Governor said, “As a physician, he was committed to the scientific pursuit of Ayurveda. He will be remembered for his matchless contribution to the modernisation of Ayurveda. As a humanist, he envisioned a life of good health and dignity for everyone in society.”
“The demise of Dr Warrier is a great loss for medical sciences. My heartfelt condolences to his family andthe Arya Vaidya Sala fraternity. May his soul attain Mukti”, he added.
Vijayan, in his message, said Warrier was instrumental in leading Ayurveda to global fame and it was due to his efforts that this field of medicine has gained international acceptance today.
Warrier worked towards ensuring that money should notbe a barrier to treatment and from heads of state to the poor,he was approached by all for treatment. “He was the patriarch of Ayurveda in Kerala,” the chief minister said.
Assembly Speaker M B Rajesh, condoling Warrier’s death, said that he made great contributions to Ayurvedic treatment in Kerala and was instrumental in making Ayurveda a therapeutic discipline and giving it a strong place in moderneducation.
Health Minister Veena George, in her message, said, “Wehave lost the patriarch of Ayurveda”.
Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala also condoled Warrier’s death and said that his name will always be remembered as the physician who brought the greatness of Ayurveda to the world.
BJP state president K Surendran also offered condolences on the death of Warrier. “P K Warrier was a person who made his mark in the healthcare sector,” he said.
The country had honoured him with the Padmasree in 1999 and Padma Bhushan in 2010.
A prominent physician and a visionary who popularised the classical and authentic Ayurveda treatment across the world, Dr Warrier’s birth centenary celebrations were held on June 8.