During the pandemic, numerous heroes in white lab coats stood in front to save many lives from deadly coronavirus. National Doctor's Day is observed to recognize and honour doctors for their services to humanity. On July 1, this special day is observed. National Doctor's Day was established for the first time in 1991, and it has been observed annually since then. This day honors all doctors who have selflessly helped us in our time of need and worked diligently to ensure the health of their patients.
Every year on July 1st, India commemorates the birth and death anniversary of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, a brilliant physician, academician, freedom fighter and politician. He was the first chief minister of West Bengal after India gained Independence.
In the recent broadcast of PM Modi’s radio show ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy and appreciated the medical and para-medical staff that worked 24*7 to save the country from the deadly coronavirus. PM Modi said, “On July 1, we will celebrate National Doctor's Day. We must pay tribute to our doctors who ensured that India did not succumb to the challenges posed by COVID-19.”
Here’s more about Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy:
Dr BC Roy is recognized as an iconic and internationally renowned medical practitioner. For his contribution to the medical field, the nation honoured him with the Bharat Ratna Award in 1961.
Dr BC Roy was born in Patna Bengal Presidency, British India in 1882. He completed his graduation at Patna College with Honours in Mathematics and later pursued medicine from the University of Calcutta.
After earning the degree in Medicine he decided to go to England for further study and left the country for higher education with only a small sum of money. He was ambitious to study at the St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London. There he had to face rejection and was denied admission because of his Asian roots. Even so, he was granted admission to the college after nearly 30 applications, as per the records. In the year 1911, he completed his graduation with flying colours and he became a Member of the Royal College Physicians (MRCP) and a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS).
When he returned to his nation India, he joined the Provincial Health Services. In India, he has also worked as a nurse, when required and during his free time he used to practice privately by treating people charging a nominal fee.
Also Read: Punjab CM appreciates and thanks medical professionals to mark doctors day on July 1
During the freedom movement, Dr BC treated many freedom fighters and he also served Mahatma Gandhi. In 1933, when Gandhiji was fasting in Poona, Dr Roy went to see him. As Gandhiji wasn’t well therefore he was advised to have medicines but Gandhiji refused to take medicines as they weren’t made in India.
Then, Dr BC Roy convinced him by saying, “I came here not to treat Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, but to treat someone who represents the four hundred million people of my country.”
Dr Roy played an important role in the establishment of various medical institutes in the country. These medical institutes are Jadavpur T.B. Hospital, Chittaranjan Seva Sadan, Kamala Nehru Memorial Hospital, Victoria Institution, and Chittaranjan Cancer Hospital.
He was born on July 1, 1882, and died on the same date in the year 1962.