India has National Doctor’s Day which is celebrated on July 1st of every year to pay tribute and show respect towards Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy for his commendable contribution and work in the field of medicine and health. Coincidentally, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy was born on July 1, 1882, and passed away on July 1, 1962, on the same day. So, on this date, his birthday is celebrated by also giving him a tribute. Doctors play a crucial role in this world. To appreciate doctors’ dedication and will to save millions of lives selflessly, this day is celebrated specially for them.
Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy was a renowned doctor, politician, freedom fighter, educator, and social worker. He is a former chief minister of West Bengal and a leader of the Congress Party. In 1961, he was awarded The Bharat Ratna Award for saving, treating, and bringing back life to millions of people. He was a friend and personal physician to Mahatma Gandhi. The B.C. Roy National Award was created in his memory to honour a prestigious person who contributes in all fields of areas like medicine, philosophy, public affairs, science, the arts, and literature.
National Doctor’s Day was founded in 1991, and it has been almost 32 years that we have been celebrating it. Every year, there is a theme allocated to this day, which is a form of resolution for citizens as well as doctors to follow. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Resilience and Healing Hands,” celebrating that the doctors made an invaluable contribution during our global and difficult fight with the coronavirus and continue to be resilient as newer diseases, infections, and health issues emerge. We use this day to recognise the efforts of medical professionals and all their contributions.
National Doctor’s Day is a special occasion to spread awareness about medical problems and issues amongst the public through doctors. It provides a platform for us to know how to improve the medical facilities, medical education, and the challenges faced by the medical fraternity. Not only for this but also to celebrate the achievements and advancements in the field of medicine and to encourage young individuals to pursue a career in the medical profession.
To celebrate this day, there are several events and activities planned out involving medical conferences, seminars, workshops, free health check-up camps, and felicitation ceremonies to honour doctors who have made incredible contributions. These activities not only promote the importance of healthcare but also represent the dedication and commitment of doctors to serving humanity.
In all countries, National Doctor’s Day is celebrated on different dates and days according to their significance and history. In the United States and Australia, it is March 30, while Canada celebrates the day on May 1 to pay tribute to Dr. Emily Stowe, the first female doctor in the country. In Brazil, doctors are appreciated on October 18, the birthday of Saint Luke, who was a doctor according to Church tradition. In China, on the other hand, the national holiday is celebrated on August 19 every year.
“Doctors are the soldiers of the country, those who do not fight at borders but dedicatedly work to save lives and improve life expectancy while putting their lives at risk. Their contribution to human health is beyond expectations. They are always the first to respond to a pandemic situation such as COVID-19, Disease X, Plague, Flu, AIDS, Ebola, and others to protect the general populace,” said PACE Hospital.
In India, this day is celebrated to appreciate and show gratitude towards the doctors who help us live our lives healthily. This makes us aware of the importance and significance of doctors’ roles in our lives and the world. On this day, every Indian should feel proud of having skilled medical experts who dedicate their lives to improving their country’s health and be grateful for their efforts and contributions medical emergencies. This day, we pay respect and feel grateful to all the doctors who not only save our lives but also risk theirs for ours.
