A Legacy of Holistic Healing: Prof. Pratapkumar J. Toliya’s Journey with the Pioneers of Indian Naturopathy

This review brings into focus the life and works of Prof. Pratapkumar J. Toliya an academic, sitar maestro, lifelong champion of Nature Cure who provides a personal point of view on the development of naturopathy in contemporary India. Influenced by Mahatma Gandhi and Balkoba Bhave, his early life experience with the nature Cure Clinic of Dr. Dinshah K. Mehta, in Pune, during the independence movement, made him commit his life to natural healing. He had a major role to play in institutionalizing naturopathic education as an administrator of Bharatiya Prakritik Vidyapeeth, the first naturopathy college in India. Based on Jain philosophy and the precept of nonviolent healing (Nirdosh Paddati), Prof. Toliya combined the academic rigor, expression of art and holistic health appreciation into a unique life journey. His narrative explains how Nature Cure was absorbed, lived, and passed on by the generation that saw its establishment.