Traditional medicine practitioner
Herbal medicine and traditional healing
Hemchand Manjhi (born 1 January 1953) is an Indian traditional medicine practitioner from Narayanpur district in Chhattisgarh. Known locally as a Vaidyaraj, he has treated patients for over five decades using forest herbs and indigenous healing techniques.[1]
Early life
Manjhi was born into a Tribal family and attended school only for a single day due to poverty and household responsibilities.[2] After his father’s early death, he worked as a fire watcher in the forest department. A turning point in his life came after an illness, when he reportedly had a vision in a dream guiding him to forest herbs that cured his condition.[1]
Traditional medical practice
Following his recovery, Manjhi began providing free herbal treatments to villagers using forest-sourced remedies. By the age of 15, he had committed full-time to traditional medicine.[3] His reputation has grown across states, with patients seeking treatment for chronic ailments. He has also provided employment to local villagers through his practice.[1][4][5][6][7][8]
Recognition
In 2024, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth-highest civilian honour, for his contribution to traditional medicine and tribal healthcare.[1][9][10]
Threats and security
In 2024, Manjhi received threats from Naxalite insurgents in the Bastar region. A "death warrant" was issued against him and others, prompting him to announce his intent to return the Padma Shri award and temporarily halt medical services for safety.[11][12][13]
Following public concern and national media coverage, the government provided Y-category security for his protection.[14]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Shri Hemchand Manjhi - Padma Shri Citation. Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
- ↑ कौन हैं हेमचंद मांझी, जिन्होंने 15 साल की उम्र में मुफ्त इलाज शुरू किया. Navbharat Times(25 January 2024). Retrieved 24 June 2025.
- ↑ Who is Padma Shri Hemchand Manjhi?. Zee News Hindi(25 January 2024). Retrieved 24 June 2025.
- ↑ This Padmashree Vaidya Hemchand Manjhi Has Met PM Modi, Has Been Treating Him With Ayurveda Method. NDTV(27 January 2024). Retrieved 24 June 2025.
- ↑ पद्मश्री से सम्मानित हेमचंद मांझी से मिले CM साय, अमेरिका से इलाज कराने आते हैं लोग. Patrika(24 April 2024). Retrieved 24 June 2025.
- ↑ पद्मश्री: नक्सलियों के डर से छोड़ा गांव, 15 साल की उम्र से कर रहे हैं फ्री इलाज, जानें कौन हैं वैद्य हेमचंद मांझी. Navbharat Times(26 January 2024). Retrieved 24 June 2025.
- ↑ पद्म पुरस्कार 2024: जड़ी-बूटियों वाले वैद्यराज को पद्म श्री, जानिए कौन हैं हेमचंद मांझी. Zee News Hindi(25 January 2024). Retrieved 24 June 2025.
- ↑ Chhattisgarh: पद्मश्री मिलने से पहले वैद्यराज हेमचंद मांझी ने मांगे बॉडीगार्ड्स, भतीजे की नक्सली कर चुके हैं हत्या. Aaj Tak(26 January 2024). Retrieved 24 June 2025.
- ↑ बस्तर के वैद्यराज हेमचंद मांझी को मिला पद्मश्री सम्मान. Dainik Bhaskar(26 January 2024). Retrieved 24 June 2025.
- ↑ Padma Awards 2024 announced. Press Information Bureau. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
- ↑ Will return Padma award, says Hemchand Manjhi after threats from Naxalites. The Hindu(27 May 2024). Retrieved 24 June 2025.
- ↑ Will return Padma award: Hemchand Manjhi after Naxal threats. Times of India(27 May 2024). Retrieved 24 June 2025.
- ↑ नक्सलियों की धमकी के बाद पद्मश्री लौटाने की तैयारी. Navbharat Times(27 May 2024). Retrieved 24 June 2025.
- ↑ सरकार ने दिया Y सुरक्षा, जान से मारने की धमकी के बाद. Hindustan(30 May 2024). Retrieved 24 June 2025.