A hero is defined as ‘an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.’ This describes a doctor. Being a doctor is a profound commitment to helping others. It not just a job title or a profession, it is a way of life. Physicians display heroism and courage every day in the hospitals and clinics. Their selflessness in the face of a deepening health crisis is truly extraordinary.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold and suspend our way of life,ourdoctors are leading these remarkable response efforts and are putting their health and safety on the line every day. In India and around the globe it is seen that physicians have fallen seriously ill and many doctors have even sacrificed their own lives in the line of duty. Every day, the selfless warriors are giving it their all in health-care settings while cutting themselves off from their families and loved ones. Physicians shoulder all of these responsibilities and more as a routine part of their professional lives, but that fact does not diminish the burden they undertake on our behalf.
To highlight the heroic efforts of courageous and inspiring doctors who lost their lives while saving the lives of COVID-19 patients is the need of the hour. The doctors are pulling long hours and potentially exposing themselves as the nation and world deal with the crippling pandemic, and the National Doctors’ Day comes at a perfect time to salute and appreciate the doctors across the nation and world who are working diligently amidst the pandemic.
National Doctor’s Day is celebrated every year on July 1st to thank physicians and doctors for their dedicated services. This day is dedicated to all medical professionals who work and serve for others round the clock to save lives. It’s a day celebrated for acknowledging the services of doctors and their huge contribution to the medical advancement. The objective is to acknowledge the contributions of doctors, the human’s service to mankind.
The Doctor’s Day in India was started in the year 1991 by the Government of India to be celebrated on July 1st every year marking the birthday and death anniversary of Dr.Bidhan Chandra Roy. He was the most renowned physician of India who had contributed greatly to the Indian medical system. To pay an honour and tribute to his incredible participation in the medical field, this day is celebrated.
Dr Roy was born in Bankipore in Patna, Bihar, India, on July 1st. Losing his mother at a young age of 14, Roy, the youngest of five siblings wanted to cure diseases, by becoming a doctor. He studied in Presidency College Kolkata, and later joined the Calcutta medical college. After completing MBBS, he decided to hone his skills by studying in England. The Dean of the St Bartholomew’s Hospital rejected his application but young Roy persisted by applying and re-applying 30 times, till his persistence paid off. He proved the Dean’s academic doubts wrong by successfully obtaining both MRCP and FRCS in less than two years, confirming his magical proficiency in surgery and medicine, an extremely rare feat. On returning to India, as he started practicing medicine, his magical diagnostic skills started making waves. The news of his quick analysis of chronic ailments and simple affordable treatment spread wings transforming the young doctor to a magical angel of health. But Dr Roy was sucked into the vortex of independence struggle and quickly realized that treating an individual patient’s pain may not cure the suffering of the society at large. The ills of society ramified much deeper than the roots of any disease. He was forced to join politics where he proved that a real leader can stand tall much above the petty bickering for fame and power. He was elected to the All India Congress Committee in 1928, and nominated to the Congress Working Committee in 1930, plunging headlong into the independence struggle. In 1948 when congress party proposed his name for the post of chief minister of West Bengal, the reluctant Dr Roy was forced to take up the mantle. Under his leadership, the transformation of west Bengal was magical. He showed that a thorough professional could as well become an able administrator, fulfilling both responsibilities if the job demanded.
Call it magic or sheer chance, Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy died the day he was born but became immortal. The Indian nation pays its homage to this great doctor by celebrating July 1, as the ‘Doctors Day’ in India.
The celebration of the Doctor’s Day is an attempt to emphasise on the value of doctors in our lives and to offer them our respects by commemorating one of their greatest representatives. India has shown remarkable improvements in the medical field and July 1 pays a tribute to all the doctors who have made relentless efforts towards achieving this goal irrespective of the odds. The day is observed in India as a recognition and appreciation of the significant roles and responsibilities that doctors have. It also highlights and brings awareness to the public the important and precious work doctors do in saving lives.
A doctor’s journey may seem hard initially, but their act of perseverance and dedication helps them save a life at the end. The awe of bringing a life to the world, the honor of being trusted, and the gratitude of helping people with illness, can only be achieved by Doctors, undoubtedly. This makes them nothing less than a supreme power.
Wherever the art of ‘Medicine’ is appreciated, there is also an appreciation of Humanity. The white coat of dignity and pride holds much more value and importance as it’s said that we can pay the doctor to resolve our troubles but for their kindness, we remain in debt. Our health is our greatest wealth, which we should treasure the most and our doctors help us in preserving our most precious wealth.
(The views expressed are the writer’s own)
Samikshya Nayak is pursuing MBBS at Hitech Medical College and Hospital , Rourkela
You can reach her at: [email protected]
(Images from the net)
