July 1st, is celebrated as Doctor’s Day in India in commemoration of both birth and death day of Dr BC Roy, a great physician of his days. Bidhan Chandra Roy was born in the year 1882, at Bankipore in Patna, Bihar. He was very much influenced by the simplicity, discipline and piety of his parents. His father, Prakash Chandra was an excise inspector. His parents inculcated in him the idea of service by taking care of people other than relatives with affection and understanding. After his IA and BA, he got into Calcutta Medical College in 1901. Bidhan was deeply impressed by these words which he happened to read while in medical school “Whatever thy hands findeth to do, do it with thy might.” Despite the financial constraints, he managed to get a good academic record. He had to control himself during the anti-Bengal partition movement. He concentrated on his studies so that he can serve the nation in a better way. After graduation, he joined Provincial Health Service and was an excellent model of hard work and immense dedication. He had his higher education in England after which he joined Calcutta Medical College, then Campbell Medical School and finally at the Carmichael Medical College. He was one of the initiators of Indian Medical Association which came into existence in 1928. He also initiated establishing Jadavpur T.B. Hospital, Chittaranjan Seva Sadan, R.G. Kar Medical College, Kamala Nehru Hospital, Victoria Institution, and Chittaranjan Cancer Hospital. He was Gandhiji’s friend and doctor. When Gandhiji was undergoing a fast in Parnakutivin, Poona in 1933, Dr. Roy attended to him. Gandhiji refused to take medicine on the grounds that it was not made in India. Gandhiji asked Dr. Roy, "Why should I take your treatment? Do you treat four hundred million of my countrymen free?" Dr. Roy replied, "No Gandhiji, I could not treat all patients free. But I came here... not to treat Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, but to treat ‘him’ who to me represents the four hundred million people of my country." Gandhiji relented and took the medicine. He later became the Vice Chancellor of University of Calcutta. In recognition for his efforts, the Doctorate of Science was conferred upon him in 1944. Dr. Roy believed that the youth of India would determine the future of the nation. He felt that the youth must not take part in strikes and fasts but should study and commit themselves to social work. At his Convocation Address on December 15, 1956 at the University of Lucknow, Dr. Roy said, "My young friends, you are soldiers in the battle of freedom-freedom from want, fear, ignorance, frustration and helplessness. By a dint of hard work for the country, rendered in a spirit of selfless service, may you march ahead with hope and courage.”
Dr. Roy entered politics in 1925. He was elected to Bengal Legislative Council as an independent candidate from Barrackpore constituency by defeating Surendranath Banerjea, the ‘Grand Old Man of Bengal’. He was elected to All India Congress Committee and later to the Congress Working Committee. He along with other members were arrested and detained at Central Alipore Jail after declaring CWC as an unlawful assembly. He later served as Alderman of the Calcutta Corporation from 1930-31 and Mayor in 1933. Under him, the Corporation made leaps in the expansion of free education, free medical aid, better roads, improved lighting, and water supply. He was responsible for setting up a framework for dispensing grant-in-aid to hospitals and charitable dispensaries. After independence, the Congress Party proposed Dr. Roy's name for Chief Minister of Bengal. Dr. Roy wanted to devote himself to his profession. On Gandhiji's advice, however, Dr. Roy accepted the position and took office on January 23, 1948 in the midst of communal violence, shortage of food, unemployment and a large flow of refugees in the wake of the creation of East Pakistan. He used to treat patients in his home even while he was Chief minister. Dr. Roy brought unity and discipline amongst the party ranks. He then systematically and calmly began to work on the immense task in front of him. Within three years law and order was returned to Bengal without compromising the dignity and status of his administration. In his address to public he told “We have the ability and if, with faith in our future, we exert ourselves with determination, nothing, I am sure, no obstacles, however formidable or insurmountable they may appear at present, can stop our progress... (if) all work united, keeping our vision clear and with a firm grasp of our problems”. The nation honored Dr. Roy with the Bharat Ratna on February 4, 1961.
On July 1st, 1962 after treating his morning patients and discharging affairs of the State, he sang a part of ‘Brahmo Geet’ and few hours later, he died. He gifted his house for running a nursing home.
Doctors Day, July 1st, in the memory of Dr.B.C. Roy
By amritians - Posted on July 1st, 2009
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July 1st, is celebrated as Doctor’s Day in India in commemoration of both birth and death day of Dr BC Roy, a great physician of his days. Bidhan Chandra Roy was born in the year 1882, at Bankipore in Patna, Bihar. He was very much influenced by the simplicity, discipline and piety of his parents. His father, Prakash Chandra was an excise inspector. His parents inculcated in him the idea of service by taking care of people other than relatives with affection and understanding. After his IA and BA, he got into Calcutta Medical College in 1901. Bidhan was deeply impressed by these words which he happened to read while in medical school “Whatever thy hands findeth to do, do it with thy might.” Despite the financial constraints, he managed to get a good academic record. He had to control himself during the anti-Bengal partition movement. He concentrated on his studies so that he can serve the nation in a better way. After graduation, he joined Provincial Health Service and was an excellent model of hard work and immense dedication. He had his higher education in England after which he joined Calcutta Medical College, then Campbell Medical School and finally at the Carmichael Medical College. He was one of the initiators of Indian Medical Association which came into existence in 1928. He also initiated establishing Jadavpur T.B. Hospital, Chittaranjan Seva Sadan, R.G. Kar Medical College, Kamala Nehru Hospital, Victoria Institution, and Chittaranjan Cancer Hospital. He was Gandhiji’s friend and doctor. When Gandhiji was undergoing a fast in Parnakutivin, Poona in 1933, Dr. Roy attended to him. Gandhiji refused to take medicine on the grounds that it was not made in India. Gandhiji asked Dr. Roy, "Why should I take your treatment? Do you treat four hundred million of my countrymen free?" Dr. Roy replied, "No Gandhiji, I could not treat all patients free. But I came here... not to treat Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, but to treat ‘him’ who to me represents the four hundred million people of my country." Gandhiji relented and took the medicine. He later became the Vice Chancellor of University of Calcutta. In recognition for his efforts, the Doctorate of Science was conferred upon him in 1944. Dr. Roy believed that the youth of India would determine the future of the nation. He felt that the youth must not take part in strikes and fasts but should study and commit themselves to social work. At his Convocation Address on December 15, 1956 at the University of Lucknow, Dr. Roy said, "My young friends, you are soldiers in the battle of freedom-freedom from want, fear, ignorance, frustration and helplessness. By a dint of hard work for the country, rendered in a spirit of selfless service, may you march ahead with hope and courage.”
Dr. Roy entered politics in 1925. He was elected to Bengal Legislative Council as an independent candidate from Barrackpore constituency by defeating Surendranath Banerjea, the ‘Grand Old Man of Bengal’. He was elected to All India Congress Committee and later to the Congress Working Committee. He along with other members were arrested and detained at Central Alipore Jail after declaring CWC as an unlawful assembly. He later served as Alderman of the Calcutta Corporation from 1930-31 and Mayor in 1933. Under him, the Corporation made leaps in the expansion of free education, free medical aid, better roads, improved lighting, and water supply. He was responsible for setting up a framework for dispensing grant-in-aid to hospitals and charitable dispensaries. After independence, the Congress Party proposed Dr. Roy's name for Chief Minister of Bengal. Dr. Roy wanted to devote himself to his profession. On Gandhiji's advice, however, Dr. Roy accepted the position and took office on January 23, 1948 in the midst of communal violence, shortage of food, unemployment and a large flow of refugees in the wake of the creation of East Pakistan. He used to treat patients in his home even while he was Chief minister. Dr. Roy brought unity and discipline amongst the party ranks. He then systematically and calmly began to work on the immense task in front of him. Within three years law and order was returned to Bengal without compromising the dignity and status of his administration. In his address to public he told “We have the ability and if, with faith in our future, we exert ourselves with determination, nothing, I am sure, no obstacles, however formidable or insurmountable they may appear at present, can stop our progress... (if) all work united, keeping our vision clear and with a firm grasp of our problems”. The nation honored Dr. Roy with the Bharat Ratna on February 4, 1961.
On July 1st, 1962 after treating his morning patients and discharging affairs of the State, he sang a part of ‘Brahmo Geet’ and few hours later, he died. He gifted his house for running a nursing home.
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