Kolkata, 1 July (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee paid heartfelt tribute to Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy — the state's first Chief Minister and one of India’s most eminent physicians — on the occasion of his birth and death anniversary, which is also observed nationwide as National Doctors’ Day.

In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Banerjee wrote, “Heartfelt homage to former Chief Minister Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy on his birth and death anniversary. On National Doctors’ Day, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all doctors and healthcare professionals for their dedicated service to the nation.”

Dr. Roy, born on July 1, 1882, and passing away on the same date in 1962, was a towering figure in both the medical and political spheres of India. He served as the Chief Minister of West Bengal from 1950 to 1962 and is widely regarded as one of the architects of modern Bengal.

To honor his contributions to medicine and public life, the Government of India instituted National Doctors’ Day in 1991, marking his birth anniversary as a day to recognize and celebrate the work of medical professionals across the country.

Dr. Roy was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, in 1961. During his tenure as Chief Minister, he laid the foundations of several key urban and institutional projects, including the towns of Kalyani, Durgapur, and Salt Lake, and played a pivotal role in the establishment of premier institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh