As the VC of a healthcare studies university, Prof. (Dr.) Shivenarain has significantly contributed to the growth and recognition of the institution. Advancing his career from a teacher to a vice chancellor, he has always excelled in Ayurvedic education and treatment. His achievements include innovative approaches to chronic ailments and earning respect as a teacher.

Prof. (Dr.) Shivenarain Gupta is the Vice Chancellor of Maganbhai Adenwala Mahagujarat University, Nadiad. He enlightens us that though the university is only two years old, its roots can be traced back to 1938, when it began as a small Ayurveda college inspired by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who was born in Nadiad.

Prof. Gupta says that Vaidya Sundarlal Joshi, a freedom fighter and journalist, who was fluent in 10-12 languages, was inspired by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to start an institution to provide proper education and healthcare in Ayurveda. So, in 1938, he established the J.S. Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya in Nadiad, initially a small college dedicated to reviving and promoting traditional Indian medical practices.

Sundarlal Joshi started the institution in a small rented building with the help of donations from donors.  Over the years, the institution has grown significantly and now offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs in Ayurveda.

Dr. Gupta highlights the institution's growth, noting that it started with only a few students and now admits about 100 students annually for undergraduate programs and more than 75 for postgraduate studies, including PhDs. He says that when he joined the college as a teacher, Maganbhai Adenwala was the chairman. Since then he has been working hard, eventually rising to the position of Vice Chancellor of the university.

Prof. (Dr.) Shivenarain Gupta shares that when he went to Nadiad, he was initially not much interested to get the job and approached it very casually. He remembers asking an autorickshaw driver to take him to the Ayurveda college upon his arrival in the town in 1981, only to find the driver confused about its location, highlighting the institute's obscurity at the time. But today, the institute is known globally.

Prof. (Dr.) Gupta proudly states that Maganbhai Adenwala Mahagujarat University has established a strong brand in Ayurveda education. He mentions that the college receives praise not only from local residents but also from people across India and even international patients who seek Ayurvedic treatment there. He notes that they have been practicing a form of globalization since the 1980s, with patients from Europe and Africa coming for treatment.

He elaborates on the specialized treatments offered at the university, particularly for chronic ailments where conventional medicine offers limited solutions. For example, in the case of kidney diseases, where dialysis or renal transplantation are the usual options in allopathy, their treatment aims to provide a better quality of life without dialysis, and in some cases, they can reduce or eliminate the need for dialysis altogether. He also mentions their success in treating cirrhosis of the liver, where patients have survived 10-12 years without the need for a liver transplant. Autoimmune diseases, which were challenging to manage before, have been effectively treated with simple Ayurvedic methods.

The 14 departments of Ayurveda at Maganbhai Adenwala Mahagujarat University are: Samhita and Siddhanta (Classical Texts and Fundamental Principles), Rachana Sharir (Anatomy), Kriya Sharir (Physiology), Dravyaguna (Pharmacology), Rasashastra evam Bhaishajya Kalpana (Alchemy and Pharmaceutics), Roga Nidan evam Vikriti Vigyan (Diagnostics and Pathology), Swasthavritta and Yoga (Preventive Medicine and Yoga), Agada Tantra evam Vidhi Vaidyaka (Toxicology and Forensic Medicine), Prasuti Tantra evam Stri Roga (Obstetrics and Gynecology), Kayachikitsa (General Medicine), Shalyatantra (Surgery), Shalakya Tantra (ENT and Ophthalmology), Kaumarbhritya (Balaroga) (Pediatrics), and Panchakarma (Detoxification Therapy).

Prof. (Dr.) Shivenarain says that the university has 14 departments that teach all subjects of Ayurveda at the undergraduate level, with postgraduate facilities in certain subjects like Kaya Chikitsa, Panchakarma, Kaumarbhritya, Anatomy, Physiology, Rasashastra, and Dravyaguna Vigyan. Some subjects have 8-9 seats, while others have 5-6 seats. Additionally, they offer short-term courses for postgraduates in Ayurvedic surgery, gynecology, and Panchakarma treatments, with durations of 4 months, 6 months, and one year.

Reflecting on his childhood, Dr. Gupta shares that he was born in a small village in Rajgarh district of Madhya Pradesh. He completed his schooling in his village and spent afternoons with his very religious grandfather, who made him read ancient books and scriptures, despite not understanding them at the time. He believes that this early exposure to scriptures and Puranas greatly influenced his understanding of Ayurveda. He asserts that a deep understanding of history and culture is essential to comprehend Ayurveda fully. Although he missed typical childhood activities, this made him a well-read person.

When asked about his role models, he says he does not have a single role model but believes anyone can be one. He cites the example of Dattatreya, who had 24 gurus, including animals like dogs, and believes even his students can be his role models because their unique questions enhance his knowledge. He draws inspiration from 'Brahma' and 'Brahman', symbolizing growth in all aspects of life: physically, mentally, intellectually, spiritually, socially, economically, and politically.

Prof. (Dr.) Shivenarain is motivated by several slokas, particularly one from the Bhagavad Gita, i.e., ‘ नेहाभिक्रमनासोऽस्ति प्रत्यवयो न विद्यते ’, which translates to "There is no destruction of the work done and there is no other result of the work than what is decided."

In times when he cannot reach a conclusion, he recalls a song by Sahir Ludhianvi, "Chalo ik baar phir se, ajnabi ban jaye hum dono," with the line "Wo afsana jise anjam tak lana ho mushkil use ek khubsurat mod dekar chhor dena achha." He says that he is also inspired by a Panchvati Kavya written by Maithili Sharan Gupt, which is "जितने कष्ट-कंटकों में है, जिनका जीवन-सुमन खिला, गौरव गन्ध उन्हें उतना ही, यत्र-तत्र सर्वत्र मिला।“ This passage reflects on the resilience and dignity of those who endure hardships. Despite the thorny obstacles in their lives, they blossom beautifully like flowers. The honor and respect they receive are widespread and found everywhere they go.

Discussing his hardships, he emphasizes that without them, one cannot grow strong. He faced immense challenges, working 20 hours a day without sufficient support staff, and treated difficult cases rejected by larger hospitals. He believes exposure to hardships builds immunity and strength, not only physically and mentally but also spiritually.

His motivation to become a doctor stemmed from childhood. After failing the pre-medical exam, he pursued Ayurveda alongside his B.Sc. His professor at that time advised against it, but his determination led him to Ayurveda. Initially, he struggled with Sanskrit-taught classes, but after learning the language and topping the university in his first-year exams, his interest in Ayurveda grew.

When asked about his achievements, Prof. (Dr.) Shivenarain shares that he values the love and respect from his patients and students above all. He is renowned for treating various ailments and is a popular teacher, praised even by students from other institutions.

Given a time machine, he says that he would change nothing in his past, believing that altering his past would change his present, with uncertain consequences. He is content with his current state and prefers to avoid risking changes to his present.

Prof. (Dr.) Shivenarain’s message to aspiring Ayurvedic doctors is that Ayurveda is in high demand, both in India and abroad. While other medical systems are developed, Ayurveda offers vast potential for those willing to work hard. He encourages dedication in any chosen field and highlights opportunities in Ayurveda as doctors, teachers, researchers, and industrialists.