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Founder’s Legacy

FOUNDER’S LEGACY

H.H. Dr Swami Rama was a Yogi, philosopher, scientist, and humanitarian. Mentored by luminaries like Mahatma Gandhi, Sri Aurobindo and Rabindranath Tagore, he pursued higher studies in India and Oxford before serving as a medical consultant in London and conducting parapsychological research in Moscow.

Guided by his master, Bengali Baba, Swamiji embarked on a global journey to bridge the realms of science and spirituality. Along the way, he founded several institutions dedicated to both spiritual growth and holistic health. In 1966, he established Sadhana Mandir at Rishikesh to promote the practice of Raja Yoga and holistic health. Building on this vision, he went on to found the Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy; in the United States in the year 1971 pioneering research that proved the mind’s power over the body.

His yogic feats were documented in the 1973 Encyclopedia Britannica Yearbook of Science, Time-Life 1973 Nature Science Annual, World Book Science Annual 1974, and numerous other publications, influencing holistic medicine and biofeedback therapy.

In 1989, he founded the Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust (HIHT) at Dehradun with a purpose to transform the healthcare and education landscape. A sage ahead of his time, Swami Rama’s legacy continues to inspire generations.

His mission was to serve humanity, guided by the philosophy — “Deho devalayaḥ proktaḥ jīvo devaḥ sanātanaḥ” — which sees the body as a temple and the consciousness as the eternal divine. This vision shaped his work in the fields of health, education, rural development, and beyond.

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International Endowed Chair Professor

Prof Rakesh Kumar

Prof Rakesh Kumar is the Founder and President of the Breast Cancer in Young Women Foundation (USA), dedicated to vaddressing the distinct issues affecting young women with breast cancer. He also serves as the International Endowed Chair Professor at the Cancer Research Institute of the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences. Additionally, he holds adjunct professorships at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dr Kumar earned his Ph.D. from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 1984 and began his research career at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in January 1986. From 1988 to 2017, he held various academic and leadership positions —including faculty member, tenured professor, distinguished professor, endowed chair, department chair, and research leader—at esteemed institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. From 2017 to 2022, he served as the National Chair for Cancer Research for the Government of India and as a distinguished professor, continuing his innovative work in breast cancer research.

With nearly 40 years of research and professional experience, Dr. Kumar has made conceptual contributions to the field of cancer research (h-index 108, citations >50,000). He has authored over 325 peer-reviewed publications, edited or co-edited nine books, and delivered 290 invited lectures worldwide. His work has been featured on the covers of 18 major cancer journals and has been highlighted in institutional research reports of the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

A passionate educator and mentor, Dr. Kumar has guided 67 trainees throughout his career. He serves on the editorial boards of multiple leading cancer journals and has served on the editorial boards of 21 top cancer journals. His global reputation is further demonstrated by his participation in about 100 peer-review panels for cancer research funding in the US and internationally over the past 28 years.

Dr. Kumar's innovative research has earned him numerous prestigious honors, including the Hinkle Society Faculty Award at Penn State University (1994), the Dalla/Fort Worth Living Legend Faculty Achievement Award in Basic Sciences (2004), the Ranbaxy Research Award (2006), and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association of Indian Scientists in Cancer Research (2013), among others. Dr. Kumar's pioneering research continues to have a profound influence on the fields of oncology and breast cancer, opening up new opportunities for biomedical scientists and trainees worldwide.