Ex-Ayurvedic officer honoured with ‘Dhanwantri Award’

In a ceremony organised by the Registrar, Department of Ayurveda, Punjab, several senior Ayurvedic physicians from across the state were honoured with the ‘Dhanwantri Award’ for their outstanding contributions to the field of Indian medicine.

The event, which was presided over by Kumar Rahul, Principal Secretary, Department of Medical Education and Research, witnessed the presence of distinguished dignitaries and scholars from the Ayurvedic fraternity.

Among the eminent awardees was Phagwara resident Dr Jawahar Dhir, retired District Ayurvedic and Unani Officer from Ludhiana. He was felicitated by Kumar Rahul, IAS; Dr Sanjeev Goyal, Registrar; Dr Sanjeev Sood, Vice-Chancellor of Guru Ravidas University, Hoshiarpur; Dr Rakesh Sharma, former Chairman, National Council for Indian Medicine Systems, Government of India; and Dr Avneesh Kumar,

Director, Research and Medical Education.

Former Director of the Department, Dr Ravi Doomra, while addressing the gathering on the occasion, highlighted Dr Dhir’s remarkable 35-year service in the Ayurvedic Department and his continued dedication even after retirement. He recalled that Dr Dhir had earlier been honoured by the then Prime Minister, the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, for his exemplary service to Ayurvedic healthcare.

A multifaceted personality, Dr Dhir has authored seventeen books and contributed extensively to the promotion of Ayurveda and literature through Doordarshan, All-India Radio, and various print publications.

In recognition of his lifelong service, Dr Dhir was presented with a citation, a beautifully crafted “Amrit Kalash”, and a metal idol of Lord Dhanwantri encased in glass. The ceremony was attended by hundreds of eminent personalities from the medical fraternity across Punjab.

Dr Dhir’s wife, Vandana Dhir, also graced the occasion, sharing in the pride of this distinguished honour bestowed upon him by the Punjab Government.