The Ministry of AYUSH conferred the National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards 2025 on Prof. Banwari Lal Gaur, Vaidya Neelakandhan Mooss E.T., and Vaidya Bhavana Prasher, recognising their contributions to Ayurveda across academic, traditional, and scientific domains. The awardees are honored for advancing Ayurveda through education, traditional knowledge, and research.
Prof. Banwari Lal Gaur, a scholar and academician, was recognized for strengthening Ayurveda through Language and Literature, with over six decades of contributions, including authoring 31 books and over 300 academic works. He has mentored 24 PhD scholars and 48 postgraduates. He has received several national honours, including the Rashtrapati Samman.
Vaidya Neelakandhan Mooss E.T., head of the Vaidyaratnam Group, was honored as the Custodian of Kerala's Healing Legacy, representing the eighth generation of a family with a 200-year-old Ayurvedic legacy. He leads a team of over 100 physicians.
Vaidya Bhavana Prasher, a scientist at CSIR-IGIB, was recognized for Integrating Ayurveda and Genomics, bridging traditional Ayurvedic concepts with modern genomic science. Her Al and ML-based Prakriti analysis protocols have been integrated into national programmes such as the Rashtriya Prakriti Parikshan Karyakram.
The awards ceremony was posted on October 2, 2025, at 3:51 PM by PIB Delhi.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ayush: The central ministry responsible for conferring the National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards.
National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards: A set of awards recognizing contributions to the field of Ayurveda across academic, traditional, and scientific domains.
Ayurveda: The traditional Indian medicine system that the awards seek to promote and recognize excellence in.
Rashtriya Prakriti Parikshan Karyakram: A national program that integrated Al and ML-based Prakriti analysis protocols, expanding the scope of Ayurveda in public health.
AYUSH
Ministry of Ayush Confers National Dhanwantari
Ayurveda Awards 2025
Prof. Banwari Lal Gaur, Vaidya Neelakandhan
Mooss E.T., and Vaidya Bhavana Prasher
Recognised for Contributions to Ayurveda
Awardees Honoured for Advancing Ayurveda
through Education, Traditional Knowledge, and
Research
National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards 2025 Reflect
Ayurveda’s Academic, Clinical, and Scientific
Progress
Ministry of Ayush Recognises Lifetime Contributions
and Contemporary Innovations in Ayurveda
Posted On: 02 OCT 2025 3:51PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of AYUSH conferred the National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards 2025 on Prof. Banwari Lal
Gaur, Vaidya Neelakandhan Mooss E.T., and Vaidya Bhavana Prasher, recognising their outstanding
contributions to the field of Ayurveda across academic, traditional, and scientific domains.
The awards celebrate individuals who have made impactful contributions to the promotion,
preservation, and advancement of Ayurveda. This year’s awardees represent a unique
convergence of classical scholarship, living tradition, and scientific innovation.
Prof. Banwari Lal Gaur: Strengthening Ayurveda through Language and Literature
Prof. Banwari Lal Gaur, a noted scholar and academician, has spent over six decades contributing
to Ayurvedic education and Sanskrit scholarship. He has authored 31 books and over 300
academic works, including 319 publications in Sanskrit. His mentorship of 24 PhD scholars and 48
postgraduates highlights his role in shaping the academic future of Ayurveda.He has received several national honours, including the Rashtrapati Samman, for his contributions to
Ayurvedic literature and education.
Reflecting on the honour, Prof. Gaur said, "Receiving the National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Award
2025 is an honour that I accept with deep humility, as a reflection of the collective spirit of Ayurveda
and Sanskrit. I sincerely thank the Ministry of Ayush for recognising my lifelong contributions and for
its steadfast commitment to nurturing Ayurveda’s academic and literary dimensions. This award is
not just a personal recognition but a celebration of our shared tradition. I hope it inspires young
scholars to carry forward the torch of Ayurveda with zeal, sincerity, and respect for knowledge."
Vaidya Neelakandhan Mooss E.T.: Custodian of Kerala’s Healing Legacy
Vaidya Neelakandhan Mooss E.T., head of the Vaidyaratnam Group, represents the eighth
generation of a family with a 200-year-old Ayurvedic legacy. He leads a team of over 100
physicians and has contributed to extending Kerala’s classical Ayurvedic practices to national and
global audiences. His initiatives include community health programmes such as Marmayanam and
Vajra, and a practical handbook on Panchakarma.
His work exemplifies the continuity of Ayurveda as a living tradition that adapts while preserving its
classical roots.
On receiving the award, Vaidya Mooss said, "To be conferred with the National Dhanwantari
Ayurveda Award 2025 is both humbling and deeply fulfilling. I express my heartfelt gratitude to the
Ministry of Ayush for honouring the Ayurvedic legacy and the contributions of our family tradition.
This recognition strengthens my resolve to continue serving with compassion, mentoring young
vaidyas, and ensuring that Ayurveda remains a living, dynamic practice that benefits communities
across the world."
Vaidya Bhavana Prasher: Integrating Ayurveda and Genomics
Vaidya Bhavana Prasher, a scientist at CSIR–IGIB, has been recognised for her pioneering work in
the field of Ayurgenomics. Her research bridges traditional Ayurvedic concepts such as Prakriti and
Tridosha with modern genomic science, enabling advancements in predictive and personalised
healthcare.
Her AI and ML-based Prakriti analysis protocols have been integrated into national programmes
such as the Rashtriya Prakriti Parikshan Karyakram, helping expand the scope of Ayurveda in
public health.
Vaidya Prasher said, "I am deeply humbled to receive the National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Award
2025. This recognition is not only a personal honour but also a reaffirmation of the importance of
integrating scientific research with the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda. The Ministry of Ayush has
provided a visionary platform to encourage evidence-based studies through innovative approaches,
and facilitating researchers and institutions to bridge traditional medicine knowledge with modern
science through various schemes. I see this award as a collective encouragement for all scientists
working to strengthen Ayurveda’s role in global health."
Recognising Excellence in Ayurveda
The National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards, instituted by the Ministry of AYUSH, are among the
highest honours in the field of traditional Indian medicine. The 2025 awardees represent three
distinct dimensions of Ayurveda—Prof. Gaur as the scholar, Vaidya Mooss as the traditional
practitioner, and Vaidya Prasher as the scientific innovator.
Together, they exemplify the continuity and evolution of Ayurveda, highlighting its relevance in both
classical and contemporary contexts.
***
RT/GS/SG(Release ID: 2174152)