Doctor's Day: To Honour The Messengers of Life

By Super Admin

July 1 is Doctor's Day in India. Doctor's Day is celebrated to remember the valuable services of medicos to human kind and express our gratitude for the dedication and sacrifice of the messengers of life and health.

This day is much relevant and significant in the larger context of health care in this country. July first is celebrated as Doctor's Day only in India. The date varies in different countries. Doctors Day urges us to bend our heads in reverence for a moment before the irreplaceable roles every health care person does in our lives.

On this day, the person remembered in a special way is Dr B C Roy, who with his dedicated service and love towards the society lived for the upliftment of people. The selfless service led him to the political arena and he became leader of Indian National Congress and later the Chief Minister of West Bengal. Dr. Roy passed away on July 1, 1962, on his birthday. Thus today we pay tribute to this great person for his life and service by observing July first as Doctor's Day.

The history of this special day dates back to the 1800's when an American, Dr. Crawford W. Long became the first physician to use anesthesia in an operation that he performed on March 30, 1842. To commemorate this unprecedented event, March 30 was declared as National Doctors Day in the United States.

The official symbol of Doctor's Day is the red carnation which symbolizes love, charity, sacrifice, bravery and courage. In fact these are the synonyms of medical profession or in better words each and every medical professional is demanded to be incarnations of the above said qualities.

Doctor's Day is also a significant day for doctors themselves as it provides them with an opportunity to revitalize and rededicate themselves to the practice of medicine. Also for the public to honour the efforts and skills of committed doctors.