We are glad to introduce Dr. Pragya Sharma, an Ayurvedic physician, founder of Praktan Ayurveda, and Assistant Professor in the Department of Kayachikitsa. Dr. Sharma was born in the holy city of Haridwar, and her journey into the realm of Ayurveda is both inspiring and emotionally personal. With her extensive educational background, including a B.A.M.S. from Uttarakhand Ayurveda University and an M.D. in Kayachikitsa, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the field.
Dr. Pragya Sharma’s journey to Ayurveda began with a transforming event that demonstrated the great power of Ayurvedic treatment. Her commitment to this ancient science is seen in her practice and the new projects she has launched through Praktan Ayurveda.
Aside from her professional accomplishments, Dr. Sharma combines her work with the joys and responsibilities of parenthood, providing a unique perspective on incorporating wellness practices into daily life.
In this interview, Dr. Sharma discusses her knowledge of Ayurveda, her motives for founding the Praktan Ayurveda Center, challenges and achievements of her educational journey, and her vision for the future of Ayurvedic treatment.
Join us as we explore the fascinating story of a dynamic and multi-talented doctor who is making great progress in the field of Ayurveda.
Name: Dr. Pragya Sharma
Place of birth: Haridwar, Uttar Pradesh
Current Designation
Founder of Praktan Ayurveda and Assistant Professor in the Department of Kayachikitsa
Educational Qualification
B.A.M.S. 2014, Uttarakhand Ayurveda University, Gurukul Campus
M.D. (Kayachikitsa) 2019, Uttarakhand Ayurveda University, Patanjali Campus
Dr. Pragya, could you tell us about your journey into Ayurveda and what encouraged you to pursue this field?
I was unaware of Ayurveda since the day my mother got bedridden because of backache. I was in class 5 when the first time my mom got backache, gradually that pain increased, and there was not even a single doctor in our area we had not visited. She was completely bedridden. In 2005 (5 years later, when the pain started), someone told us about a vaidya in Sohna, near Alwar. We visited there with my mom in a wheelchair. He was the first man I saw doing Marma therapy and prescribing some bhasm. Just after two sittings of that marma therapy, my mother left her wheelchair and stood up on her feet. And that was my hit moment, and I decided to become an Ayurvedic doctor. In 2009, I gave an entrance exam, which was not a combined test. That year, the government divided MBBS and BDS into different exams and BAMS and BHMS into different ones, and I got selected, and by choice, I asked for BAMS in the Gurukul campus.
How have your postgraduate studies in Ayurveda influenced your approach to healthcare?
I always tell my students and juniors to go for a master’s degree as well. On one side, BAMS gives you the base of Ayurveda; on the other hand, a PG degree gives you the confidence to stand in front of others. And if you have to work or you have to get fame, then, for sure, you need confidence.
What were some of the most difficult challenges you had during your education, and how did you overcome them?
I always got support from my family regarding my studies, so I never felt anything challenging at that time. My parents are PhDs in Sanskrit, so it was easier for me to study Samhitas.
Can you tell us about a teacher or a turning point in your education that had a big impact on your career?
Yes. I always remember one name. Well, I have all the great teachers in my life who educated us, but there was one, Dr. Shishir Prasad, who taught us how to deal with patients and how to talk with patients. He always put down his pen while listening to his patient; he was never in a hurry about writing prescriptions. He taught us politeness, honesty, and how to care for our patients. I will never forget the lessons I learned during my internship. And seriously, now my patients used to say, “Apse baat karke hi aadhi bimari khatam ho jati hai.” At that moment, I always thank Dr. Shishir Prasad, sir.
What inspired you to develop the Praktan Ayurveda Center, and what is its main mission?
The Praktan word has a story behind its name. Me and my husband, Dr. Ketan Mangwal, got married in 2020 after a relationship of 3 years. In 2020, during COVID-19, we started helping COVID-19 patients through telemedicine without any fee. That was the moment we planned to give our work a name. We thought about it and decided to call it Praktan. We combined our names, Pragya and Ketan. Well later when I googled it we came to know that it is a Bengali word which means DESTINY, or we can say A THING WHICH IS COMING FROM INFINITY AND WILL GO TO INFINTY. After getting the meaning of this word, I was so in love with this name, and we decided to finalize it. During COVID, when everyone was doing something for adult health, we decided to do something for child health. Tab ye SWARNPRASHAN banane ka idea aya. We started preparing it on our own. We used 100% pure formulations. Gradually, our patients started giving us good reviews and started demanding more bottles of swarnprashan. And that was again a hit moment for me when I planned to make it a brand and we registered our company, PRAKTAN AYURVEDA CENTRE. We named it a center because, under this name, we are now running a coaching class for AIPGET & AMO, a clinic and pharma company.
Can you describe the services that Praktan Ayurveda Center provides?
Right now, we are running a coaching center for AIPGET and AMO preparation. and a clinic where both online and offline facilities are available. * Pharma company where we are preparing Swarnprashan for kids, Hair oil for dandruff or hair fall, hair shampoo, hair serum, and face packs for acne and pigmentation
How do you ensure the quality and authenticity of Ayurvedic treatments at your center?
We ourselves check every herb that is being used in our product. We ensure to get the maximum result for the patients. Because that is the only reason patients trust PRAKTAN AYURVEDA.
What is Swarnprashan, and how does it help children? Can you share some success stories?
SWARNPRASHAN is an Ayurvedic form of medicine for children. It is written in our Samhitas for kids. As it is prepared with swarnbhasm and a few medya dravyas, it means herbs for increasing mental ability; we have used giloy for immunity and triphala for a healthy bowel. It is prepared in 100% pure cow ghee, which is murchit, before adding it to the formulation. So basically, swarnprashan keeps your kid healthy by enhancing immunity, providing good digestion, increasing appetite, and enhancing concentration and learning power. Many patients used to say, “Humara baccha 1 chammach bhi ice creame kha leta tha to hospitalized krna padta tha, lekin swarnprashan lene k baad 1 bowl ice cream khaa leta hai or theek rehta hai.” Yes, we have many testimonials from our patients.
What have been the most satisfying experiences since you founded Praktan Ayurveda Center?
For me, the most satisfying thing is when my patients give me good reviews about my product. Especially when they say, “Apka product itna accha hai ki jabse humne use kia hai humara baccha bada healthy rehta hai.”.
What motivated you to arrange free health camps, and how do you balance them with your other commitments?
Well, a doctor works for money, of course, but a good doctor works for the community as well. I love to work, and I love to see patients (fir chahe wo free me ho ya fees ke saath). And yes, it’s my family (my in-laws) and my mother, who is always at my back. They always help me and support me in my work. And I am blessed to have such in-laws.
Can you describe a remarkable experience or success story from one of your free health camps?
During COVID, we have seen at least 100s of patients for free and given them ayurvedic medicines only. I remember there was one patient from Himachal who was in a bad situation during COVID. He came to us with his swollen face, and he said, “Mujhe bs theek kardo.” Finally, me and my husband made our extreme efforts to treat him. After one year, that patient met my mother-in-law at a party, and literally in front of everyone, he said, “Apka beta or bahu apke bacche honge, logo ke lie doctor honge lekin mere lie to bhagwan hain bacha lia inhone mujhe,” and that hit me. I was so overwhelmed with his words. A patient’s trust is very important for a doctor. And I am happy that out of those 100 patients, almost 98 are still alive.
How do you use these camps to involve the community and raise knowledge about Ayurveda’s benefits?
During our camps, I always try to keep a 15-minute session in which we tell patients about Ayurveda. That is a kind of awareness session during camps. I asked some local news channels to cover the event and publish it on Facebook. Sometimes we cover events in a live session as well.
What kind of feedback have you received from participants in your health camps?
Of course, I get very positive feedback. Isilie aur jada capms karne ka mann bhi karta hai.
As a mother of a one-year-old, how do you strike a balance between your career and personal responsibilities?
As I said earlier, if your family environment is healthy, you can do anything. And I am blessed to have such a lovely mother, a caring husband, and supportive in-laws. Agar ye sab na hote to shayad mai itna sab kar bhi nahi paati.
How has motherhood changed your attitude toward healthcare and patient care?
I don’t think it makes any difference. What I was earlier is still the same today. I always keep my professional and personal lives separate.
What Ayurvedic practices do you include in your daily routine to improve your and your child’s health?
Dincharya, which means the start of a day, is always followed in my house exactly as written in samhitas. We eat healthy and seasonal fruits and vegetables. I have been using swarnprashan for my daughter continuously since the day she was born.
What advice would you provide to other working women attempting to balance their professions and family lives?
First of all, marry a man who supports you. Whose family supports you. And keep going with a zeal to do something great. Feeling low is okay, but stopping is not. And always keep your family and professional life separate. Understand your priorities.
How has social media helped you raise knowledge about Ayurveda and expand your practice?
This is an era of social media. I have not much to say about this, but social media is very important these days for learning or expanding businesses.
What social media strategies do you use to engage your audience and teach them about Ayurvedic practices?
I just try to keep posting good content.
What are your plans for the Praktan Ayurveda Center? Are there any upcoming projects or expansions?
Abhi to shuruwat hai. Abhi bahut kuch baaki hai. I can’t reveal much right now. But yes, there are a few upcoming projects.
How do you see Ayurveda evolving over the next decade, and what role do you see for praktan in that future?
I think it’s high time for Ayurveda. An Ayurvedic practitioner should start their paperwork to prove themselves for the future. That’s important. Praktan will definitely do great in the future. I will work hard for it.
What are your personal and professional goals over the next five years?
Personal ho ya professional, I want to say just one thing. Never stop making efforts. If you made efforts for an affair and stopped after marriage, Your relationship will stop working. Same for professions, too. If you made efforts to start a business but stopped making efforts after building it, your profession will come down to zero. Islie efforts should become a habit in your daily life to continue your personal and professional lives.
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