National Doctors' Day: Here's what you should know about Dr BC Roy

Among the many days that India celebrates through the year like Children’s Day, Martyrs’ Day, Mahaparinirvan Diwas is a lesser known day — Doctor’s Day. Celebrated on 1 July, it marks the birth anniversary (and death anniversary) of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy (1182- 1962). [caption id=“attachment_2867114” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File image of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy. Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons[/caption] A legendary physician, he has contributed greatly to the Indian medical scene. An article in The Hindu mentions that he was the one to establish the Indian Medical Association in 1928 and even the Medical Council of India. He also played a crucial role in establishing the Indian Institute of Mental Health, the Infectious Disease Hospital and even Kolkata’s first-ever postgraduate medical college. In his younger days, Bidhan came across an inscription that read, “Whatever thy hands findeth to do, do it with thy might” and he completely imbibed this in his life. Even when he joined politics in 1925, he ensured that his medical service was not disrupted. He would still devote an hour everyday to serve the poor with his medical knowledge. He was Mahatma Gandhi’s close friend and doctor. Though he wanted to continue his profession, when his name was proposed to be the second Chief Minister of West Bengal, it was on Gandhi’s advice that he took up the post. His contribution to the country was rewarded by a Bharat Ratna award in February 1961.