INDIA, engaged in grim battle to fight COVID-19, observes National Doctor’s Day thanking the warriors dedicated to save humans

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, WB Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and eminent sports personalities joined the nation on the  Doctors’ Day in expressing gratitude to the medical professionals for their round the clock service. National Doctors’ Day is organized by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on the birth and death anniversary of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy. Home Minister Amit Shah assigned an important role by PM Modi in combating Covid-19 pandemic, saluted doctors for their ‘uttermost commitment to keep the nation safe and healthy. ‘He applauded the doctors for their efforts and service amidst the ongoing pandemic. Amit Shah said “On Doctor’s Day, I salute our brave doctors who have been leading the battle against Covid-19 at the forefront. Their uttermost commitment to keep the nation safe and healthy in these challenging times is truly exceptional. Nation salutes their devotion and sacrifice. “The National Doctors’ Day celebrated in the memory of Patna born Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy (01/07/1882 -01/07/1962)  who proved his mettle as an unparalleled administrator when he headed the West Bengal Government from January 23, 1948, until his demise at the age of 80 in Kolkata. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has paid warm tribute to Dr Bidhan Roy, considered the Maker of Modern West Bengal after partition of India in 1947. He was a visionary and foresighted personality. The second CM of WB has left behind indelible imprint as a statesman.  He had played a key role in founding several institutions including India’s first IIT at Kharagpur and five cities, Durgapur, Kalyani, Bidhannagar, Ashoknagar and Habra and modernized medical education in the state. He stunned the medical world by obtaining F.R.C.S. and M.R.C.P. degrees simultaneously in England where he had gone almost penniless. Later, on return to Kolkata, he emerged as a self-made great personality and a fabled doc. The theme of this year’s Doctors Day is “Lessen the mortality of COVID 19”. This includes awareness about asymptomatic hypoxia and early aggressive therapy. Indian Medical Association (IMA) says The Doctors’’ Day of 2020 is of special importance. Every member of IMA and the local branch took a lead in the local area and to bring about a change in the current situation (Covid-19 pandemic). Doctors Day of 2020 is dedicated to the innumerable doctors who are serving during this epidemic in the primary and secondary care setups as well as the dedicated COVID care hospitals. VVS Laxman, former cricketer says ‘‘Coming from a family of doctors, I always knew that the medical profession was the noblest of all. I’ve seen, from close quarters, how the doctors not only use their knowledge and skill but also show a lot of empathy and patience in treating the sick. So today, on Doctors’ Day let us pay tribute and salute the real superheroes, who are not only risking their own health but also working tirelessly in fighting the deadliest pandemic the world has seen. They are not only making recoveries possible but also infusing a lot of hope and courage in us’’ Yuvraj Singh, former cricketer who has remarkably recovered from cancer due to treatment, has tweeted ‘‘A very special day today. I think now we have come to realize that doctors are the biggest heroes of our country. We did appreciate doctors even before the pandemic, but now it has gone up manifold. Nowadays, we clap for doctors who pass by in a car because they have helped save so many lives in our country’’ P. T. Usha, former athlete, says’’ Doctors are our real heroes. We are seeing that now especially in this time of COVID. In my sports career, many doctors treated me, and I am very much grateful to all of them’’. (edited by PK Chakravarty)