Visionaries who walked ahead of their time

Ayurveda, the Indian system of medicine, has a tradition of several millennia behind it, and it has woven itself into the cultural fabric of the country, influencing its lifestyle and community well-being. The system of Ayurveda has been enriched from time to time by the contributions of various scholars from the Vedic period till the present. The knowledge system has largely thrived through oral traditions in the past. Various local medical practices based on the principles of Ayurveda emerged in different parts of the country, for example, Pancabhautika Cikitsa. An exemplary physician or a Vaidya in a particular region was considered to be the cornerstone of traditional learning. However, the practice and organization of Ayurveda have changed unprecedentedly during the last century. Slowly, traditional teaching through Gurukula paved the way for institutional learning. Teaching institutes and research organizations were set up. Medicine manufacturing transformed into an industrial activity enabling the standardization and bulk manufacturing of medicines. Specialty practices like Bala cikitsa, Visha cikitsa, Rasa cikitsa, and others started to lose their glory due to various reasons. Classical texts have been adopted to write short practically oriented clinical handbooks. However, stakeholders from different walks of life have carefully asserted its identity as an ancient scientific medical system. Most of the great Vaidya of yore tried to imbibe the science in its true essence. They were people who explored all means to acquire knowledge and understand the system. Most of them were trained in the Gurukula Tradition, which is considered an apt model for Ayurveda education. Their clinical acumen and skill sets attracted a wide number of beneficiaries in their respective regions. Their work extended beyond their prescription pads, and they were actively involved in efforts to popularise the system among the masses. Apart from the physicians, people from different walks of life were involved in the promotion and propagation of Ayurveda as a mainstay healthcare system in the country. Scholars from other disciplines have also contributed enormously to its development. They were all researchers among themselves. They tried to resolve the challenges the system faced during their times. The tireless efforts of such people have shaped and sustained the system during the times of its decline. The role of such individuals in preserving, promoting, and passing on this knowledge needs to be acknowledged and properly documented for the benefit of society. The life profiles of such luminaries can serve as a rich source of learning for the succeeding generations to come. The life profiles of the luminaries cover different aspects of their life and work such as early life, education, professional life, publications, Awards and Accolades, and their contribution towards the field of Ayurveda and Society. The issue showcases the lives and works of notable personalities from the last century. Manuscripts shed light on different dimensions of their personalities, describing the rigorous training they underwent, hardships faced during their ventures, efforts to continue the legacy of their lineage, diverse healing modalities they practiced, and specific panchakarma therapies and unique formulations. The interesting incidents narrated in the profiles help us to explore their unique approach to delivering personalized patient care. The community engagements of these luminaries had a profound impact on society and a few of them have been instrumental in devising effective public health solutions during pandemics. This serves as an opportunity for Ayurveda enthusiasts to learn about these luminaries in depth. The narrations will help students and faculty become familiar with various regional texts in their specialties. This provides an opportunity for literary academics to conduct studies on these rare works. Authorities should be made aware of the importance of including such regional texts as recommendations in the syllabus. In-depth case studies on the lives of these eminent personalities can suggest effective training modules for Ayurveda students, especially at a time when innovative learning methods are being explored in Ayurveda pedagogy. The unique formulations practiced by these physicians can also be popularized and further researched. Above all reading the life narratives of these luminaries helps map the history of Ayurveda. The opportunities that these initiatives open up will lead to holistic positive changes in the current landscape of Ayurveda. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.