Coimbatore, Sep 17 (UNI) Doyen of Ayurveda and Chancellor of Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women P R Krishnakumar died here late on Wednesday after he tested positive for COVID-19. He was 69.
He is also the managing director of the Arya Vaidya Pharmacy (Coimbatore) Limited. The Padma Shri awardee, who played a major role in the preparation of the Ayush protocol, was undergoing treatment for COVID-19 in a private hospital for the last one week when he breathed his last last night.
During the initial stages of the nationwide lockdown to prevent spread of coronavirus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had held discussions with him through video conferencing on the prospects of using Ayurveda in COVID-19 management.
In 2016, the Centre honoured him with ‘Dhanwanthari Puraskar’ for his contributions in the field of Ayurveda Education, Health and Community Services. His body was cremated today morning after following due COVID-19 protocols.
Mr Modi, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister for State for Ayush Shripad Y Naik, BJP National President J P Nadda, Tamil Nadu Minister S P Velumani and Isha Yoga Centre Founder Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev took to twitter to condole the death of Krishnakumar.
Mr Modi said ‘Shri P R Krishna Kumar’s persistent, enterprising and mission-mode efforts contributed to Ayurveda’s global popularity. He was an extremely humble and knowledgeable person.’ ‘Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family. Om Shanti’, Mr Modi said.
Ms Nirmala Sitharaman said ‘shocked to hear that Krishna Kumar ji is no more. His life was dedicated to Āyurveda. Affable & gentle, have received his blessings each time he visited Shri Guruvayur. Grateful for the times I’ve spent at @avp_ayurveda’.
‘Always returned rejuvenated. Thank you Krishnakumar ji’, she said. Mr Naik, in his message said “sad to hear demise of Shri P.R. Krishna Kumar who contributed in field of Ayurveda immensely and gave a global exposure. My condolences to his family. Om Shanti”.
Mr Nadda said his deep knowledge of Ayurveda, innate sincerity, humility and capacity for untiring hard work won for him the deep affection and trust of all. Mr Velumani in a tweet, said Krishnakumar was known nationally and internationally for his efforts to promote research in Ayurveda.
