Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy

Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy ( 1 July 1882 – 1 July 1962 ) , a Bharat Ratna Awardee , former chief minister of West Bengal is the one who represented the best of his profession at critical time in India’s modern history . He was one of the few people in history to have become both a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and a Member of the Royal College of Physicians.

Early Life

Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy took birth on 1st July 1882 in a Bengali family in Bankipore in Patna.

Grand Father :Prankali Roy was the grand father of Bidhan Chandra Roy. Prankali Roy was an employee of the collectorate in Baharampur in Murshidabad, West Bengal.

Father : Prakash Chandra Roy was the father of Bidhan Chandra Roy. Prakash Chandra was a descendant of the family of Maharaja Pradapaditya, Hindu king of Jessore. Prakash Chandra Roy was serving as an excise inspector in Bankipore in Patna.

Mother : Aghorkamini Devi was the mother of Bidhan Chandra Roy. She was the daughter of a Zamindar of Baharampur ‘Chandra Basu’. She was a religious and devoted social worker.

Siblings : Bidhan Chandra Roy had 2 brother ( Sadhan and Subodh )and two sister ( Sarojini, Susharbashini ). He was the youngest of five siblings

Education

Bidhan Chandra Roy was supported by his father and mother for his education. B C Roy completed his schooling in 1897 from Patna Collegiate School. After completing his schooling education, he joined Presidency college , Calcutta to obtain his I.A (Intermediate of Arts ) Degree .

He obtained his Bachelor’s Degree ( B.A degree with honours in Mathematics ) from Patna College.

Bidhan left Patna in 1901 to complete his post graduation at the Calcutta Medical College.

In 1909 Bidhan left for Britain to complete further studies in medicine. Joining St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, Bidhan completed his studies in 2 years and 3 months. After completing his studies he returned back to India in 1911.

He gained MRCP ( Membership of the Royal Colleges of the United Kingdom) from Royal College of Physicians and FRCS (Fellowship of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons) from Royal college of Surgeons

Career

Bidhan started his career by joining the Provincial Health Service. He taught at the Calcutta Medical College later at the Campbell College and Carmichael Medical College.

He played an important role in the establishment of the Jadavpur T.B. Hospital, Chittaranjan Seva Sadan, Kamala Nehru Memorial Hospital, Victoria Institution (college), and Chittaranjan Cancer Hospital. In 1926, the Chittaranjan Seva Sadan for women and children was opened in by Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy.

Bidhan Chandra Roy started his political career in 1925. He was friend and doctor of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Roy took part in elections and stood as independent candidate and won against Surendranath Banerjee.

In 1928, Roy was elected to the All India Congress Committee. He made his various contribution in the movement like Dandi March, Civil Disobedience in Bengal.

Dr Roy was once arrested in 1930 with the members of Congress working committee. Dr. Roy supported the free education, free medical aid , free water ,etc

After Independence he was appointed as the chief minister of Bengal. He devoted his life to his profession. He joined office on 23rd January 1948.

Death

Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy passed away on 1st July 1962. He was 80 years of age. On his last date he was singing “Brahmo Geet” .

Later his house became a nursing home.

Achievement

Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy was awarded with Bharat Ratna on 4th February 1961.

Dr. B.C Roy National Awards was instituted in 1962 in his memory. This award is then awarded annually since 1976. This award is given for excellent contribution in the areas of science, medicine, literature ,arts .

In 1967 , Dr. B.C. Roy Memorial Library and Reading Room for Children in the Children’s Book Trust, New Delhi, was inaugurated.

The birth and death anniversary of Dr. B.C. Roy is celebrated as National Doctors Day.

A commemorative post stamp of Dr. B.C. Roy has been published by India Post.

Quotes

” 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. B.C. Roy

” Independence from the colonial rule will remain a dream until and unless the people of India are healthy and strong in mind and body. “

Dr. B.C. Roy

Timeline

1882 : Birth of B.C. Roy
1832 : Schooling – Patna Collegiate School
1901 : Study at Calcutta Medical College.
1909 : Left for Britain for further studies
1911 : Returned India after completion of studies.
1925 : Started Political Career.
1928 : Joined All India Congress Committee
1930 : Arrested and detained at Alipore Central jail.
1942 : Treated Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi during Quit India Movement.
1944 : Earned the Doctorate of Science Degree
1948 : Chief Minister of West Bengal
1956 : Delivered lecture at University of Lucknow.
1961 : Awarded with Bharat Ratna Award
1962 : He Passed away.