To commemorate the efforts and contributions of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, National Doctors’ Day is celebrated on July 1 every year. It marks the birth anniversary of the great Physician, Freedom fighter, and politician Dr. BC Roy.
The idea of celebrating such a day came from The Indian Medical Association. It was celebrated for the first time in the year 1991. The day honors the contributions of Dr. BC Roy in the medical field as well as in serving humanity. He was born on July 1, 1882, and incidentally left the World on the same date in the year 1962. Just a year before his death, Dr. BC Roy was awarded the Bharat Ratna on February 4.
Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy was born in Patna, Bihar. For his studies, he went to Patna Collegiate School, Presidency College Calcutta, and Patna College. After completing his graduation he went to London and enrolled for post-graduation from St Bartholomew’s Hospital. After getting rejected for 30 times, his application was finally accepted by the Dean. In London, he became a member of the Royal College of Physicians and a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons. In 1911, Roy returned to India. After his return, he saw that the country was in major suffering due to British Rule. He decided to devote himself completely to community service and to the freedom movement happening in the country.
Dr. Roy was quite active in helping the students and freedom fighters during the struggle for independence. He was also Mahatma Gandhi’s close confidante and doctor.
Dr. BC Roy is associated with the establishments of renowned institutions like Chittaranjan Cancer Hospital, Chittaranjan Seva Sadan, Jadavpur T.B. Hospital, Victoria Institution (college), and Kamala Nehru Memorial Hospital, among others. Apart from this, his role in the establishment of the Medical Council of India (MCI) and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) is quite noticeable. He was also called the first medical consultant in the subcontinent of India who climbed over his contemporaries in several fields by British Medical journal.
As a politician, Dr. Roy held the post of chief minister of West Bengal.
National Doctor’s Day 2021
In his weekly address ‘‘Mann ki Baat’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi reminded the nation of the contributions made by doctors and corona warriors during the Coronavirus pandemic. He said that the nation “must pay its tributes to the doctors who ensured that India did not succumb to the challenges posed by Covid-19.”
He will be addressing the community of doctors at a program organized by IMA today to create more awareness of the day among the population and to laud the doctors for performing their duties 24*7. In the latest tweet, PM Modi wrote, “India is proud of the efforts of all doctors in fighting COVID-19. 1st July is marked as National Doctors Day. At 3 PM tomorrow will address the doctors community at a programme organized by @IMAIndiaOrg.”
With the entire World and India specifically going through tough times due to the outbreak of Covid-19, this year the Doctor’s Day becomes even more important. The entire healthcare sector of the country has sacrificed on their part and contributed to controlling the spread and transmission of the deadly coronavirus. They are our Frontline Warriors and this day is to remind each one of us that during the pandemic, our doctors risked their lives just to save ours and are still working relentlessly in this hour of crisis. This day is supposed to recognize their functions and obligations.