Keonjhar: Harekrushna Mohant is well known as Baidyabisharad (expert of medicines) in Keonjhar. The 60-year-old, after giving up teaching, has been treating people with herbal medicines since 1990.
Apart from that, he is an expert in astrology, detection of groundwater level and plantation. He is known as environmentalist. With such bundle of talent, it’s no surprise to find Mohant always surrounded by people who visit him for some work throughout the year.
Leaving bed at 4 am, Mohant goes out on morning walk after completing his chores. Then, he takes water mixed with basil leaves, garlic, honey and cardamom before taking his breakfast of roti, pitha (pancakes), paratha at 8 o’ clock.
Thereafter, he gets busy in preparing herbal medicines till 10 am and then comes to his Banasoudhi Kendra near the Collectorate to treat patients till evening. After returning home, he again prepares herbal medicines.
His dinner consists of three rotis and two glasses of milk. Whenever he is free, he loves gardening and offers astrological service to people.
Most importantly, he is a most sought after man for both the private and government agencies whenever there is a need to drill a tube well or a deep bore well. The agencies need to know the exact place where the groundwater will be available at lower depth.
He is regarded as an expert in traditional geomancy. With just little soil test, he can pinpoint the level of groundwater. He asserts that his prediction is 99 percent accurate.
He was naib sarpanch of Bodapalasa panchayat in 1980. His father Nirakar Mohant was an apothecary and Ayurvedic doctor. He had learnt the traditional healing system by researching on hoary palm scrolls.
Harekrushna was attracted towards Ayurveda when he was 24. He has received training in Ayurveda in Bangalore, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Rajasthan and Kolkota. He has been honoured at the district, state and national levels for his expertise in Ayurveda.
He was honoured as the best Vaidya of the district in 2003-04 and by the State Medicinal Plantation Board in 2005.
Harekrushna had been associated with an NGO, Alternative Rural Movement. Thereafter, he formed Odisha Rajya Banaousadhi Bisesagyan Mahasangh and has been protecting herbs and promoting herbal plantation, and identifying traditional healers like Vaidyas.
The Mahasangh has 2016 Vaidyas from 30 districts as its members. He is instrumental in setting up herbal gardens on the premises of 142 schools in the district. He has also helped people set up fruit orchards.
Harekrushna has also trained members of 225 Vana Surakhya Samitis in identifying herbal plants and protect them.
He has also set a new tradition of gifting samplings during marriage and thread ceremonies. He is truly a protector and promoter of herbs, environment and Vaidyas.
PNN