The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) held its webinar series on September 13th, 2025, with a compelling session titled “Indian Medicinal Wisdom: Strategies for Modern Maladies.”
The event brought together subject matter experts on ancient medicine and modern medicine, practitioners of combined healthcare approaches, community leaders, and global participants to share insights and best practices.
The Chief Guest for the session was Padma Shri recipient Dr. Sudhir Parikh, an allergist and immunologist who is also a philanthropist, entrepreneur, and Chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media and ITV Gold. Dr. Parikh is also President-Elect of Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (GAPIO), which seeks to harness the expertise of 1.4 million Indian physicians worldwide to held India and the world.
In his remarks Dr. Parikh concluded, “Ayurvedic and modern medicine can both be effective for certain diseases, provided the ancient remedies meet standard dosage and quality requirements.” He noted how many ancient medicinal systems, both Western and Indian, do not work today.
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However, “It is different with the ancient Indian Ayurveda system. It is as effective as it was thousands of years ago. And more relevant today when lives have be come stressful and full of diseases,” Dr. Parikh noted.
Ancient Indian medicinal wisdom has several elements that expand the view of medical treatment as a whole, Dr. Parikh went on to elucidate. Ideas like “Mind-Body-Spirit” popularized by Dr. Deepak chopra; “Hoslitic Approach” embedded in Ayurveda; and “Prakriti and Doshas” the fundamental concept in Ayurveda that says each individual has a unique constitution which can be influenced by factors like diet, environment, and lifestyle.
Some of today’s major Ayurvedic remedies include Turmeric to boost immunity, and Ashwagandha to reduce stress, both of which became known the whole world during the COVID pandemic, Dr. Parikh pointed out.
The Webinar was moderated by Aparna Hande, an advocate for public health, from Southern California, who also serves as GOPIO Medical Council Co-chair. Hande said the Webinar session aimed to encourage active global Indian diaspora participation with discussions emphasizing the effectiveness of combining modern medicine with evidence-based traditional practices for both prevention and treatment.
GOPIO Associate Secretary Sunil Vuppala, who also serves as the Chair of the Webinar Series, noted that the last few sessions had galvanized the diaspora community to come to a common platform and discuss topics of common interest.
GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, – provided a video message sharing a brief history of GOPIO International, which was founded in 1989 in New York. The organization now spans 35 countries with life members and 100 chapters worldwide.
Dr. Abraham explained that the primary purpose of GOPIO when it was established as a nonprofit, was to integrate the Indian diaspora into the mainstream political community, a goal he believed had been successfully achieved.
GOPIO President Prakash Shah, in his remarks, highlighted the series of webinar initiatives aimed at educating the Indian Diaspora on relevant issues. The Webinars are held every other month on the second Saturday since July. The first webinar focused on immigration, the second on the AI era, both of which he described as successful and impactful. Shah announced the upcoming event of October 11 of this year, will focus on investment growth and the role of the diaspora.
Dr. Indranill Basu-Ray (Tennessee, USA), Cardiologist, Prof. of Public Health, Director of Research and Chair, GOPIO Medical Council was among the discussants. In his book, “Yoga for Cardiovascular Disease and Rehabilitation,” he demonstrates how yoga and holistic traditions can transform modern healthcare and medicine. Yoga is not a religion; it is a lifestyle practice. Adopting healthy lifestyle changes is the best medicine for a healthy life, supported by both research and modern medicine.”