2026-07-25T23:51:48Zhttps://oai.catalogue.archives.ncbs.res.in/oai:archives.ncbs.res.in:/repositories/2/archival_objects/278532026-02-26T12:48:32ZArchives at NCBSTata Institute of Fundamental ResearchAR-029-3.AR-029-3-1https://catalogue.archives.ncbs.res.in/repositories/2/archival_objects/27853Maharashtra Prabodhan Seva Mandal. MPSMShankar Rama Shinde - Session 01, 04-07-202504-07-202568 MinutesengmarShankar Shinde is a traditional Vaidu trained through ancestral knowledge and formal instruction with BAIF. Drawing on teachings from his grandfather, he treats conditions such as snakebite, paralysis, diabetes, menstrual disorders, malnutrition, and jaundice using herbal medicines and therapeutic massage.He also provides treatment for livestock, prepares medicines from locally sourced herbs in the Nashik region, and cultivates medicinal plants around his home. Alongside his healing practice, he is actively involved in forest and vulture conservation and trains youth in his community to preserve traditional medical knowledge. He shares his background in medicine preparation and treatment, learned through the study and training of medicinal plants in forest settings. In addition to offering steam bath and massage services for livelihood support, he has actively participated in vulture conservation, nature protection, and forest plantation work, earning recognition from the Government of India. The interview covers his preparation of herbal medicines for ailments such as respiratory diseases, kidney stones, piles, diabetes, jaundice, heart disease, and women’s health issues, with diagnoses often made in consultation with medical experts(00:00:00) He provides an overview of how he became a Vaidu, detailing his formal training with BAIF and his long-standing involvement in forest and vulture conservation initiatives.
(00:03:18) He explains the range of diseases he treats and describes the role of therapeutic massage as an integral part of his healing practice.
(00:05:00) He discusses his diagnostic approach, outlining how he identifies symptoms related to conditions such as snakebite, diabetes, menstrual disorders, malnutrition, and jaundice.
(00:13:02) He elaborates on his specialization in treating paralysis, describing the medicinal herbs used and the methods followed for determining and administering dosage.
(00:16:32) He explains how he learned the names of medicinal plants and methods of preparation from his grandfather, alongside the structured training he received through BAIF.
(00:23:05) He reflects on the dietary discipline and personal experiences that shaped his practice while training to become a Vaidu.
(00:24:24) He describes the locations in Nashik from where he sources medicinal herbs, explains how they are processed into medicines, and shares his concerns regarding the cultivation and conservation of these plants.
(00:35:35) He explains his methods for storing medicinal herbs and preparing them in the form of powders, decoctions, and massage oils.
(00:45:13) He notes that many patients continue to seek his treatment despite improvements in local healthcare facilities.
(00:45:43) He explains how he is training youth within his community to prepare medicines and discusses how the nomenclature of medicinal plants has evolved over time.
(00:48:40) He shares his knowledge of preparing medicines for livestock and the treatments he provides to animals.
(00:51:42) He explains, in the local language, the diseases affecting livestock and the medicines used to treat them.
(00:55:15) He describes the symptoms he observes in livestock to diagnose different diseases.
(00:56:45) He recounts his experiences in animal care, including assisting in the delivery of a dead calf and other related cases.
(01:00:08) He describes his role in forest and vulture conservation, highlighting his collaboration with the Forest Department.
(01:02:00) He explains vulture behavior, particularly their feeding habits.
(01:04:00) He discusses the cultivation of medicinal plants around his home as part of conservation and accessibility efforts.Access Level 1: Online. See https://archives.ncbs.res.in/accessCopyright may not have been assigned to Archives, National Centre for Biological Sciences. Permission for reproduction or distribution must be obtained in writing from the Archives at NCBS (archives@ncbs.res.in). The Archives at NCBS makes no representation that it is the copyright owner in all of its collections. The user must obtain all necessary rights and clearances before use of material and material may only be reproduced for academic and non-commercial use.Oral History Interviews of Vaidu, AR-029