Surjit Singh Flora
National Doctor’s Day is celebrated on the 1st of July in India every year. This day honours doctors across the nation for their relentless service throughout the year. Doctor’s Day is a tribute to all medical professionals who have ethically treated patients and served the society irrespective of all odds. In India, Doctor’s Day is celebrated to honour the legendary Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, who was also the second Chief Minister of West Bengal.
National Doctor’s Day Theme 2025
Every year, the theme for Doctor’s Day is announced by the Indian Medical Association. This year’s theme, “Behind the Mask: Who Heals the Healers?” highlights the emotional and mental struggles faced by healthcare professionals. It urges society to look beyond their roles as caregivers and acknowledge their need for empathy, support, and well-being.
From birth to the last stage of life, a doctor embodies God in human form by repeatedly saving precious lives. God gives us a beautiful life only once, but by eliminating all weaknesses and diseases, God has provided us with a compassionate healer, wise guide, caring virtuoso, and skilled artisan of health in the form of a doctor. These terms emphasize not just medical knowledge but also the human element of care, empathy, and dedication that makes a doctor truly exceptional. In other words, if there is another form of God on this earth, it is the doctor.
Today, when we see any disease in the body, we immediately think of doctors. This unique confluence of medicine and prayer makes the doctor the god of the earth. Perhaps that is why, whether common or special, everyone calls the doctor the God of the earth. In India, their importance as doctors has been known since ancient times. This role is also mentioned in many of our religious texts. Remembering their dedication and sacrifice, July 1 is celebrated in India as ‘National Doctors’ Day,’ i.e., ‘Doctors’ Day.’
The tradition of celebrating the memory of the country’s leading doctor, freedom fighter, and social worker Bharat Ratna Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy started on July 1 in 1991. This day is both the birth and death anniversary of this outstanding personality. The noble and noble purpose behind this day of honor is that all doctors understand their responsibilities and remain vigilant about the suffering, pain, and diseases related to the health of the people. Born on July 1, 1882, Bidhan Chandra Roy was also an important soldier of the Indian freedom struggle. He was also the Chief Minister of West Bengal for 14 years. He made significant contributions to the state’s health service structure and social welfare programs.
He was a strong advocate for providing health services to all by supporting significant changes in health services with the establishment of many hospitals and medical colleges. After independence, he dedicated his entire life to medical service. He completed numerous significant development projects while serving as West Bengal’s chief minister. In 1961, he received India’s highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, for his tireless efforts and social welfare works. He passed away on July 1, 1962.
The purpose of celebrating this day, which is full of respect for Dr. Roy and the purpose of maintaining and increasing the trust of doctors among the common people are also to remind us of the continuity of the sanctity of the medical profession with his true memory. In the new era of increasing population and competition, everyone’s treatment and health are essential. Medical care is a profession that people trust more. To maintain this and to remind doctors, there is a tradition of celebrating ‘Doctor’s Day’ on different days around the world. This day is also very important for doctors because it not only reminds them of their medical education, training, and oath, but also inspires them to do better than they have done.
Certainly, when doctors start their medical lives, they have a sense of morality and a desire to help the needy. This is also their mission. Many people in this sacred profession, despite their good intentions, go astray, become corrupt, and embark on a path of immorality, but this day repeatedly reminds doctors to reflect on themselves.
Understand their responsibilities and the expectations of society. They should also know that they are society’s God, not money. God does not take anything from anyone but gives whatever is due. The real purpose of Doctor’s Day is to awaken this feeling, which was filled with beatings in Dr. Bidhan Rai.
Look at the tragedy; there has been competition in the medical profession too.
The recent spate of attempts to pass exams like NEET by paying money is saddening. How will such people be able to do justice to this sacred profession? The entry of such people through the back window is worrying. Surely, dignity and respect are decreasing due to increasing corruption and a decline in moral values. A doctor whose status is equal to God, if he becomes entangled in money, cannot be called fair in any way.
Meanwhile, the medical profession, which is now caught in the clutches of new technology, industry, and capitalism, is becoming more and more corporate and out of reach of the common man. Increased capital investment and expensive treatment have greatly weakened the human relationship between the doctor and the patient. Despite all this, somewhere or other, God is still found in those who are true and good servants, but this truth must also be accepted: that the rural medical system has become very bad. No doctor desires to work in villages that house a significant portion of the country’s population. Indeed, this profession is noble, but humble individuals also contribute to it. Every year on July 1, India celebrates this goal and oath.
The role of doctors in society is very extensive. They do treat diseases and play an important role at every level of the healthcare system. The main job of doctors is to diagnose diseases correctly and treat them effectively. Such work includes the administration of medicines, surgery, and other medical procedures.
Doctors also encourage people to adopt a healthy lifestyle, get vaccinated, and spread health awareness to prevent diseases.
These preventive measures help prevent many serious diseases. When an epidemic spreads, such as COVID-19, etc., doctors are at the forefront. They take care of patients without caring for their lives and work closely with the government and health institutions to control the epidemic. Doctors and scientists also contribute to the research of new drugs, treatments, and vaccines. Doctors advise patients not only about physical health but also about mental health.
Challenges of a Medical Life
The medical profession is as respectable as it is challenging. Doctors have to face many difficulties every day.
Doctors often have to work long hours, especially in emergency situations, which increases the workload considerably. Working daily between life and death puts a lot of emotional pressure on doctors. They have to face the suffering and pain of patients and sometimes they also face the disappointment of failing to save them.
Doctors also have to take into account the legal and ethical aspects of their work.
They have to make the right decisions, which are in the best interests of the patients. Sadly, sometimes doctors also have to face violence from the relatives of the patients, especially when the patient’s condition worsens. Such violence is a serious concern that affects the morale of doctors.
(The writer is a freelance writer and journalist who lives in Brampton)
