Healing hearts and spreading positivity: Dr. Sonia Kotwal's inspirational journey from Ayurveda to global influence

• Recognized as Forever Star India Influencer of the Year 2023 and Featured in Forbes, Dr. Kotwal shares her journey of self-realization and commitment to humanity

JAMMU: In an exclusive online interview with Ajmer Alam Wani, Editor-in-Chief of JK Monitor (www.jkmonitor.org), Dr. Sonia Kotwal, a distinguished Ayurveda Doctor, and Incharge Community Health Officer (CHO) at the National Health Mission (NHM), shared her inspiring journey, highlighting her dedication to serving the underprivileged and promoting Ayurveda on a global platform.

Dr. Kotwal, known for her distinction in Pharmacology, revealed that her entry into the field of Ayurveda was driven by a desire to conduct research in the ancient healing system.

However, a profound turning point in her life occurred when she lost her husband early in her married life. Instead of succumbing to the tragedy, she found the courage to rediscover herself, citing this period as the beginning of her journey of self-realization.

For the detailed interview and specific answers read below:

Ayurveda and Research:

1. You pursued a career in Ayurveda with the intention of conducting research. How has your background in pharmacology influenced your approach to Ayurvedic research, especially in the context of community health?

Ans: As Community Health Officer (CHO) I wanted to serve the under privileged so I got chance to serve the humanity as incharge of my dept.

Community Health Officer Role:

2. As the Incharge Community Health Officer under the National Health Mission, can you share a specific example where Ayurveda has played a crucial role in improving the health outcomes of underprivileged communities?

Ans: Ya Ayurveda played vital role in my life and I tried to bring that positivity in my carrier also by providing free medical aid with Govt of India to people who need it the most.

Personal Resilience:

3. Losing a spouse can be an immensely challenging experience. How did you channel the grief from this personal loss into the strength to pursue your career and make a positive impact in the field of healthcare?

Ans: I lost my husband after 5 months of my wedding so that time bought me to self realisation and reason for my survival and I started questioning why I m existing and from there my journey of self realisation begin in real sense.

Influence of Instagram:

4. You've mentioned finding solace and recognition on Instagram. In what ways has the platform shaped your perspective on healthcare, and how do you leverage it to raise awareness about Ayurveda and community health issues?

Ans: Insta gave me broader platform what ever I felt I should share in good way I shared on insta and result came nice and I started gaining recognition by people in good way

Forever Star India Influencer:

5. Congratulations on being recognized as the Forever Star India influencer of the year 2023. How do you intend to utilize this platform to further your goals in promoting Ayurveda and community health?

Ans: I would thank Forever Star India for giving me superwoman influencer of year and also as an Ayurveda doctor I am always there to serve humanity and create positivity I say because what we think we become that so any good habit we adopt we follow that so ayurveda for me is way of life.

Forbes Magazine Feature:

6. Getting featured in Forbes is a significant achievement. Can you elaborate on the key message or accomplishment that you wanted to convey through the Forbes profile, and how has it impacted your work and outreach?

Ans: Forbes happened to me when they found my profile is globally making waves from my J&K to global platform they gave me recognition so it was overwhelming and still I have to learn a lot in my life and journey because learning never goes away from person life and life is journey and life goes on one thing I learned about life.

Academic and Leadership Background:

7. Your academic achievements, including being a distinction holder and holding leadership positions, reflect a strong academic and leadership background. How has this foundation influenced your approach to managing community health initiatives?

Ans: As student I was always in good books of teachers and I always believe in that not only books but over all upbringing of child is necessary there should be no pressure on child because in today’s environment children are very under pressure for academic so ya academics play an vital role in professional life and to me being doc as community health officer is empathy which I feel from my heart so it’s something I really wanted to do

Geographical Roots:

8. Being from Bhaderwah but born and brought up in Jammu, how do you integrate the cultural nuances of your roots into your healthcare practices, especially when dealing with diverse communities?

Ans: Dealing with diverse communities I would say I believe in humanity and kindness above all so my profession and nature both taught me to stay down to earth as the tree with maximum number of fruits is always bend but tree with no fruit stands tall so being humble is not weakness until people take your kindness as your weakness stay humble but at same time know your worth too

Family Background:

9. With a grandfather as the first MBBS doctor from erstwhile Doda district and a father retired as a senior law officer, how has the legacy of your family influenced your commitment to healthcare and community service?

Ans: Ya I always wanted to be doctor and serve people with empathy my grandfather was first MBBS doc from Doda district and I being his granddaughter changed the scenario I went into ayurveda but for me neither Ayurveda nor MBBS matters what matters is to cure patient cure disease so being called as healer I would love to hear that word rather which pathy cured it but person got cured that’s more important.

Balance and Calmness:

10. Claiming to be a 95 percent calm person is remarkable. How do you maintain this level of calmness, especially in high-pressure situations, and how does it contribute to your effectiveness as a healthcare professional?

Ans: My nature is mostly calm but if u hit 5 percent so it’s obvious your fault lol but ya I try to maintain my calmness until someone does not take it as my weakness

Multifaceted Hobbies:

11. Your hobbies include listening to music, reading books, cooking, and meditation. How do these diverse activities contribute to your overall well-being, and do you see any direct correlations between your hobbies and your professional success?

Ans: Lastly I will say ya my nature and my hobbies have kept me in balanced way I mean at such young age people are very hyper but I try to maintain my calm and peace and it helps me to a lot of extent to avoid conflict but when there is requirement one should speak and it’s rain which grows flower not thunder so raise your words I would say rather to raise your voice always.