Every year, July 1 is celebrated as the National Doctors’ Day in India.
Probably very few Indians know why we celebrate July 1 as the Doctors’ Day.
In fact, July 1 is celebrated as the Doctors’ Day across India to honour the legendary physician and the second Chief Minister of West Bengal, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy.
Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy is often described as the Dhanvantari of modern era. He was born on July 1, 1882 and died on the same date in 1962, at the age of 80.
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Dhanvantari is the Hindu God of medicine and an avatar of Lord Vishnu. He is mentioned in the Puranas as the God of Medicine. Dhanvantari, during the Samudramanthan arose from the Ocean of Milk with the nectar of immortality.
It is common practice in Hinduism to pray to Dhanvantari, seeking his blessings for sound health of the entire family.
Educated in the United Kingdom, Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy was a legend, and is regarded as the best doctor India has ever produced. He was honoured with India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna on February 4, 1961.
The celebration of the Doctors’ Day is an endeavor to highlight on the value of doctors and to offer them our respects by commemorating one of their greatest representatives.
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Generally, patients are supposed to organize the celebrations for the doctors. Nurses and other staff of the hospitals also organize the celebrations to pay their respect to the doctors.
India has shown remarkable improvements in the medical field and July 1 pays a perfect tribute to all the doctors who have made relentless efforts towards achieving this goal irrespective of the odds.