For centuries in Ladakh, healthcare didn’t come in ambulances or white coats, but from within families. Dr Padma Gurmet witnessed this tradition first-hand. His father was an Amchi, a practitioner of 'Sowa Rigpa', the centuries-old trans-Himalayan system of medicine practised across Tibet, Mongolia, Bhutan, Nepal, and the Himalayan regions of India.
Though initially reluctant, he started learning, with his father being his first teacher. Over the years, along with being a practitioner, he took up other roles. He worked to secure formal recognition for 'Sowa Rigpa' under the Ministry of Ayush and in building institutions dedicated to preserving and advancing the system. Today, he serves as Director of the National Institute of Sowa Rigpa in Leh, Ladakh, under the Ministry of Ayush.
In recognition of his contribution, Gurmet was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India this year.
In his interview with THE WEEK, Gurmet reflects on his journey, makes the case for Sowa Rigpa’s continuing relevance in the Himalayan health system, and the challenges of grounding the tradition in scientific research.
Edited excerpts:
Q: Let’s start with your journey as a Sowa Rigpa practitioner.
In Ladakh, there are families that have been practising traditional medicine for centuries. My father was one of the renowned practitioners of 'Sowa Rigpa', so I grew up watching him. 'Sowa Rigpa' has played a significant role in public health in Ladakh, until as recently as 30-40 years ago, as it was the only medical system available.
I was not keen on taking up 'Sowa Rigpa' myself at first, but I continued learning from my father. After schooling, he insisted that I pursue formal education in the system, which I completed in 1996.
I joined the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences as a research officer at a small unit dedicated to 'Sowa Rigpa'. In 2003, I took charge of this unit.
After Ladakh was declared a Union Territory in 2019, we requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a dedicated national institute for Sowa Rigpa, which was subsequently approved.
When I first joined, the biggest challenge was that 'Sowa Rigpa' was not formally recognised as a medical system. Securing official recognition for the system was quite tough.
Q: What were the challenges?
The primary challenge was to convince the Government of India that 'Sowa Rigpa' was a full-fledged medical system. It is an Indian Buddhist tradition of medicine, and we had to make the case that unless steps were taken to develop and protect it, the system would gradually disappear. Young people were no longer taking it up.
Subsequently, in 2010, 'Sowa Rigpa' was given legal recognition through an amendment to the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970, and it is now recognised as one of the six systems of medicine under the Ministry of Ayush.
Q: What changed after 'Sowa Rigpa' received legal recognition?
Earlier, the younger generation was not taking it up, and the system was slowly declining. And the recognition brought the limelight, too. Even with only a handful of institutions offering full-time courses in Sowa Rigpa, seats would often remain vacant. Today, those seats are largely filled.
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We then requested the government to integrate 'Sowa Rigpa' practitioners into the public health system -- at primary health centres and district hospitals. As a result, around 80 'Sowa Rigpa' practitioners have been placed at different primary health centres across the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The same has since been adopted in states such as Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh, though the numbers there remain lower due to a shortage of graduates.
In rural areas, 'Sowa Rigpa' continues to be the primary form of healthcare. Ladakh is a vast region with small, scattered hamlets, and allopathic dispensaries function only during fixed hours, typically from 10 am to 4 pm. After that, people have nowhere to go. Sowa Rigpa has long filled this gap, providing round-the-clock healthcare to local communities.
So there has been a good growth in 'Sowa Rigpa.'
Q: Are there more women 'Amchis' now?
Yes. In the younger generation, the majority of 'Amchis' are women. Earlier, it was quite rare.
Q: You call 'Sowa Rigpa' an Indian Buddhist tradition of medicine. But China claims it too.
Yes, the knowledge is transnational. But at its core, 'Sowa Rigpa' is an Indian Buddhist tradition -- first propounded by the Buddha and later developed by his disciples, as clearly stated in the classical texts.
At the same time, it is also true that significant innovation took place when the system travelled to Tibet. Practitioners there incorporated elements of their own traditional medical knowledge, along with certain influences from Chinese medicine.
However, the philosophical foundation of 'Sowa Rigpa' remains Indian. So the Chinese cannot call it their traditional medical system because the classical texts are clear.
Q: How do you see the contribution of 'Sowa Rigpa' to public health today?
Even today, 'Sowa Rigpa' remains the primary form of healthcare in many rural regions. While the government has opened dispensaries and medical centres, they usually function only between 10 am and 4 pm. After that, who takes care of people’s health?
'Sowa Rigpa' practitioners have been serving public health needs for centuries and are deeply embedded in the social fabric of Ladakh and other Himalayan regions.
This is why there is deep public trust in 'Sowa Rigpa', particularly in Ladakh. In the past, even educated sections often dismissed traditional medicine as lacking substance. That perception is now changing. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, acceptance of Ayush systems has increased significantly, including that of 'Sowa Rigpa'.
Q: Speaking of trust, the traditional systems of medicine often fall behind when it comes to regulation and research. This impacts trust. What are your thoughts?
You’re absolutely right. The demand for scientific validation is well-taken, but traditional systems like 'Sowa Rigpa' have their own foundational principles. They are based on the idea of balance -- of the five Mahabhutas and the three doshas. The remedies are also taken from nature.
Yes, we need evidence. At the same time, these systems aren’t only about pharmaceuticals, but also lifestyle, diet, meditation, and preventive health.
Today, health policy has changed. Earlier, health was seen as the doctor’s responsibility. Now we focus on how to stay fit, both physically and mentally. That aligns perfectly with traditional systems.
At the same time, we are also collaborating with institutions like CSIR, ICMR, and pharmaceutical institutes like NIPER in this domain.
We cannot say this is our traditional knowledge system, so it should be respected; we must meet scientific parameters, too. And it can be done.