Birth and death on the same date. Such a rare occurrence has been witnessed by very few individuals in the world. Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, the sculptor of West Bengal, possessed such a distinctive personality whose birth and death both took place on July 1. He was a medical practitioner, freedom fighter, politician, and taxonomist, all in one. Born on July 1, 1882, in Bankipur, Patna, he passed away on July 1, 1962, in Kolkata. Was there any introduction bigger than being the Chief Minister of West Bengal until his last moment? A doctor or an administrator? In the realm of medicine, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy's extraordinary contributions have led to the celebration of "National Doctors' Day" on July 1. Alongside that, in various political arenas across India, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy has been acknowledged as an exceptional administrator the same day. Unique indeed!

After completing his graduation, Bidhan Chandra Roy began his medical education at Calcutta Medical College, belonging to the Brahmo family. His dream was to acquire a medical degree from London. He applied 29 times to a college in England. Finally, his application was accepted by that very college in England. In 1911, he obtained the degrees of MRCP and FRCS from England.

Following that, he started teaching at Campbell Medical School (currently known as Nilratan Sircar Medical College) in Kolkata, where he initiated his career in education and medicine. He was instrumental in establishing hospitals such as Jadavpur TB Hospital, Chittaranjan Seva Sadan for Women, Kamala Nehru Memorial Hospital, Victoria Institution, and Chittaranjan Cancer Hospital. He also established the Indian Mental Health Institute, and Infectious Diseases Hospital, and initiated the first postgraduate medical college in Kolkata. After receiving political training from Deshabandhu Chittaranjan Das, he joined Congress on the call of Mahatma Gandhi.

In 1931, he carried out a fast unto death. After India gained independence, he presented a proposal to Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India, from Uttar Pradesh. Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy modified that proposal. A few days later, the members of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly unanimously elected him as the Chief Minister of West Bengal, overcoming various challenges. He served as the Chief Minister of West Bengal for 14 years, from January 14, 1948, until his death in 1962. A year before his death, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna. In his will, Bidhan Chandra Roy donated his residential house for charitable purposes. He initiated a struggle to liberate education from bureaucratic control. Even amid his busy schedule, he remained dedicated to his responsibilities as a doctor and teacher. Despite his numerous achievements, he remained humble and down-to-earth.

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