New Delhi/Leh, feb 1: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, on Saturday congratulated Padma Shri awardee Dr Padma Gurmet, Director of the National Institute of Sowa Rigpa (NISR), Leh, for his contribution to traditional systems of medicine in the country.
In a congratulatory message, the Minister praised Dr Gurmet’s long and consistent work in promoting AYUSH, with special focus on the Sowa-Rigpa system of healing practised in Ladakh and other Himalayan regions.
Jadhav said that Dr Gurmet has played a leading role in conserving and strengthening Sowa-Rigpa and in connecting this ancient medical knowledge with the country’s modern healthcare structure. He noted that Dr Gurmet’s efforts have helped bring traditional healing practices closer to public health services and wider medical research.
The Minister described the Padma Shri honour as recognition of Dr Gurmet’s decades of service, academic work and dedication to protecting India’s traditional medical heritage. He said Dr Gurmet’s work has also helped create wider awareness about the value of indigenous knowledge systems in preventive and holistic healthcare.
Jadhav further said that the entire AYUSH fraternity and the nation take pride in the achievement and draw inspiration from Dr Gurmet’s continued commitment to traditional medicine and public welfare.
Dr Padma Gurmet currently serves as Director of the National Institute of Sowa Rigpa, Leh, the country’s premier institution dedicated to education, research and clinical practice in the Sowa-Rigpa system.
Meanwhile, Thupstan Norboo, Member of the Ladakh Academy of Art, Culture and Languages and an alumnus of the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Leh, also conveyed his congratulations to Dr. Gurmet.
In his message, Norboo described the Padma Shri and the Union Territory of Ladakh State Award as a deserved tribute to Dr. Gurmet’s lifelong work in safeguarding and advancing the Sowa Rigpa medical tradition in Ladakh. He said Dr. Gurmet’s contribution has helped sustain an ancient system of healing and has encouraged younger generations to value indigenous medical knowledge and holistic care.
Norboo further said that the recognition would strengthen ongoing efforts to preserve traditional health practices and expand their role in improving community well-being in the region and beyond.
