#DoctorsDay: PM Modi Congratulates Doctors, Pays Tributes to Dr. B. C. Roy

New Delhi, July 1: “I congratulate all hardworking doctors for their round the clock efforts to make our society fit and healthy. No words can do justice to their monumental contribution to public welfare. I also pay tributes to Dr. B. C. Roy, a distinguished doctor himself,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of National Doctors Day.

 

July 1 is celebrated as the National Doctors Day in India since 1991 to acknowledge the contribution of doctor’s humane services to mankind. It is observed to honour the legendary physician and West Bengal’s second Chief Minister Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy whose birth and death anniversary coincides on the same day. Dr. B. C. Roy was born on the July 1, 1882 and died on the same day in 1962. He was honoured with the India’s highest civilian award Bharat Ratna.  

Dr. Roy was an eminent Indian Physician, Educationist, Philanthropist, freedom fighter and politician. He is one of the few people in history to have obtained FRCS and MRCP degrees simultaneously. After his graduation in mathematics from Patna College, he opted to pursue in medical studies from Culcutta Medical College. He completed his post-graduation from England and after returning to India, he served as a doctor and also worked as a faculty in Culcutta medical college. 

 

Dr. Roy played an important role in the establishment of the Javedpur T. B. Hospital, Chittaranjan Seva Sadan, Kamala Nehru Memorial Hospital, Victoria Institution and Chittaranjan Cancer Hospital. He entered politics in 1925. After Independence the Congress Party proposed his name for Chief Minister of Bengal. Dr. Roy wanted to devote himself to his profession but on Gandhiji’s advise, he accepted the position and took office on January 23, 1948. 

 

Before his death, Dr. Roy has gifted his house for running a nursing home named after his mother, Aghorkamini Devi. He had also constituted a trust for his properties at Patna to carry out social service. In his memory, Dr. B. C. Roy National Award has been given since 1976. In 1991, the Government of India approved to celebrate July 1 to be celebrated as the National Doctors Day.