Ayurveda doyen PR Krishnakumar passes away due to COVID 19 in Tamil Nadu

Dr PR Krishnakumar, founder and managing director of Arya Vaidya Pharmacy, died of COVID-19 in Coimbatore. A recipient of Padma Shri, Krishnakumar played a major role in the preparation of the Ayush protocol. He was admitted to KMCH on August 29 after testing positive for COVID-19.

Coimbatore: Founder and managing director of Arya Vaidya Pharmacy (AVP) and chancellor of Avinashilingam University Dr PR Krishnakumar died of COVID-19 on Wednesday night. He was 68.

A recipient of Padma Shri, who played a major role in the preparation of the Ayush protocol, Krishnakumar was admitted to KMCH on August 29 after testing positive for COVID-19.

As per reports, he also had co-morbidities like diabetes, hypertension and heart problems. The infection finally led to multiorgan failure and inflammation of the heart muscles.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the demise and said Krishnakumar's persistent, enterprising and mission-mode efforts have contributed to the popularity of Ayurveda across the globe.

Modi also posted a picture of himself with Krishnakumar on twitter.

"PR 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," Prime Minister Modi tweeted.

Born on September 23, 1951, to Arya Vaidyan PV Rama Varier, founder of Arya Vaidya Pharmacy, and Pankajam Rama Varier, Krishnakumar studied Ayurveda from Shoranur Ayurveda College, Kerala.

He was known nationally and internationally for his efforts to promote research in Ayurveda and to standardize ayurvedic medicines and their formulations.

He managed to create awareness on the system at the World Health Organization. He also set up the first Gurukula Ayurvedic College in the country.

The centre awarded him the Padma Shri in 2009 and the Kuvempu University conferred an honorary doctorate on him in 2011.

It is to be noted that during the initial stages of the nationwide lockdown, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had held a video conference with Krishnakumar to discuss the prospects of Ayurveda in COVID-19 management.