Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India honored Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Founder of the Transcendental Meditation® (TM®) technique, for his original contribution to meditation, Yoga, and the revival of the ancient health system of Ayurveda. Maharishi and 11 other eminent teachers and scholars of India’s wellness traditions are being celebrated posthumously with the issue of 12 commemorative postage stamps.
Commemorative postage stamp issued by the Indian government in August, 2019
The commemoration was presided over by PM Modi (second from left in image above) and held on August 30, 2019 in New Delhi at Vigyan Bhawan, the Indian government’s premier convention center, and broadcast live via TV and the internet.
“Maharishi Mahesh Yogi… Founder of Transcendental Meditation (TM), a great scientist and sage, did unparalleled work in the field of human consciousness, the revival of Vedic knowledge, and its practical aspect TM, thereby enlightening the path of self-realization,” stated India’s Chief Postmaster General.
“Maharishi Mahesh Yogi… a great scientist and sage, did unparalleled work in the field of human consciousness, the revival of Vedic knowledge, and its practical aspect TM, thereby enlightening the path of self-realization.” —India’s Chief Postmaster General
Maharishi’s Legacy in Science, Education, and Ayurveda
From 1955 Maharishi traveled around India and the world to teach the TM technique and inspire scientific research on enlightenment. Maharishi’s legacy lives on through the numerous books that he authored and the many institutions that he set up, including Maharishi International University, later renamed Maharishi University of Management, in the United States.
Lothar Pirc, CEO and owner of Maharishi AyurVeda Health Centre Bad Ems; and Girish Momaya, director of Maharishi European Research University
Dr. Brihaspati Dev Triguna, a pioneer of Maharishi AyurVeda®, is also being honored with a commemorative stamp. In association with Maharishi, Dr. Triguna was instrumental in establishing a large number of Ayurveda clinics and health centers globally. For many years, Dr. Triguna was the chairman of the All-India Ayurvedic Congress, the professional organization of 400,000 Ayurvedic physicians.
Representatives of the International Maharishi AyurVeda Foundation attended the official ceremony: Girish Momaya, director of Maharishi European Research University; and Lothar Pirc, CEO and owner of the Maharishi AyurVeda Health Centre Bad Ems in Germany.
Maharishi’s legacy lives on through the numerous books that he authored and the many institutions that he set up, including Maharishi International University, later renamed Maharishi University of Management, in the United States.
Illustrious Honorees in Traditional Health Systems
The 12 renowned honorees were selected by the Indian Ministry of AYUSH. This government ministry advances India’s traditional systems of health, medicine, and wellness: Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH).
The AYUSH honorees also include the following Ayurvedic physicians and scholars: Bhaskara Vishwanath Gokhale, an early proponent of integrative medicine; Shastri Shankar Daji Pade, author of 75 books on Ayurveda; Yadavji Trikamji Acharya, author of 40 Ayurvedic books; and Bhooshanam K. Raghavan Thirumulpad, who inspired generations of Ayurveda students.
A commemorative envelope, with Maharishi’s photograph and stamp
Other honorees are Thiru T. V. Sambasivam Pillai, author of the classic reference work Siddha Cyclopaedic Medical Dictionary; the Unani physician Mohammad Abdul Aziz Lakhnawi, whose medical school educated students from India and around the world; Mohammad Kabiruddin, a prolific writer and academician of Unani medicine; Dr. Dinshaw Mehta, the personal naturopathic physician to Mahatma Gandhi; Dr. K. G. Saxena, the first honorary adviser in homoeopathy to the government of India; and Swami Kuvalayananda, a pioneer in scientific approaches to Yoga.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India honored Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Founder of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique, for his original contribution to meditation, Yoga, and the revival of the ancient health system of Ayurveda.
It will be quite sometime before the world fully appreciates Maharishi-ji’s cosmic contributions in all areas of life.
It is a great news that under the rule of Indian PM, India has started recognising our great Rishis and Seers and great epics and our Masters. Unless we rediscover the greatness of our own culture and Vedantic truth, India would remain a sleeping giant. Let us awake to see the greatness of our past and march ahead with pride and step into bright future.