IN a moment of immense pride for both the district and State, Hemchand Manjhi, revered as the ‘Vaidyaraj’ of Chhotedongar village in the restive Narayanpur district, was conferred with the Padma Shri by the President of India, Draupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. Hemchand Manjhi, known as a Nadi Vaidya, has dedicated five decades of his life to treating illnesses with herbal remedies. His tireless service to the community, spent in the relentless pursuit of herbs and healing, has touched the lives of thousands. This prestigious recognition by the Central Government speaks a volume about Manjhi’s unwavering commitment to the well-being of others, as he has been instrumental in treating a myriad of ailments using traditional herbal medicine.

 

It is worth mentioning here that Manjhi embarked on his journey to treat people with herbs in Chhotadongar at a time when the region lacked basic healthcare facilities. Despite lacking a familial lineage of physicians, his altruistic decision to serve the community has since garnered him unparalleled expertise. Today, patients not only from Narayanpur district but also from across the state, country and even abroad seek his expertise. Currently, Vaidyaraj Manjhi resides in Narayanpur, where he continues to treat patients by examining their pulses. However, families of patients are required to travel to his residence in Chhotadongar to procure the medicinal herbs prescribed by him. Reflecting on his practice, Manjhi asserts, “There is a magical potency in the herbal remedies of Bastar. We meticulously gather various herbs from the forest, blending them in precise proportions to treat a wide array of ailments. By analysing the pulse, we diagnose and treat diseases accordingly.

 

Many people who have lost hope in conventional allopathic treatments, particularly for ailments like cancer, turn to our remedies and often experience miraculous recoveries.” Manjhi attends to over a hundred patients daily, emphasising the importance of incorporating ingredients like honey, cloves, and other spices into herbal concoctions. He remains steadfast in his commitment to this noble cause, vowing to pass on his knowledge to future generations. Bipin Manjhi, the District Collector, has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Vaidyaraj Hemchand Manjhi for receiving the Padma Shri. “This esteemed accolade has brought great pride not only to Narayanpur district but also to the entire state of Chhattisgarh”, he remarks.