Hemchand Manjhi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 January 1953 Narayanpur district, Chhattisgarh, India |
| Occupation | Traditional medicine practitioner |
| Known for | Herbal medicine and traditional healing |
| Awards | Padma Shri (2024) |
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]