Bidhan Chandra Roy

Bidhan Chandra Roy Biography

Bidhan Chandra Roy was the Indian politician who served as the second Chief Minister of West Bengal. He served in this post for 14 years from 1948 to 1962. He was a member of Indian National Congress. He was a doctor by profession. He was also a freedom fighter of India. He had great part in constructing West Bengal. He founded the three important cities namely Durgapur, Kalyani and Bidhannagar.

He was born on 1^st July 1882 in Bankipore in Patna in Bihar. His father was Prakash Chandra. He was the youngest of five children. He lost his mother when he was 14 and he had to look after himself. He studied I. A. at Presidency College at Calcutta and B. A. from Patna College and got Honors degree in Mathematics. He then joined Calcutta Medical College and continued his education. He had to study with scholarship.

He joined Provincial Health Service and showed great dedication towards his profession. He charged the patients only Rs. 2 for his service. He went to England in February 1909 and joined St. Bartholomew’s Hospital for higher studies. He completed F. R. C. S. and M. R. C. P. at the same time. He returned back in 1911 and served as the mentor in the Calcutta Medical College and then at the Campbell Medical School and Carmichael Medial College.

He established the Jadavpur T. B. Hospital, R. G. Kar Medical College, Kamala Nehru Hospital, Victoria Institution, Chittaranjan Seva Sadan and Chittaranjan Cancer Hospital. He also opened nursing institute for women. His contribution during the Japanese bombing on Rangoon on 1942 gave him Doctorate of Science degree in 1944. He had treated Gandhiji when he went on fast in 1933 during the Quit India Movement.

He entered politics in 1925 and was elected to the All India Congress Committee in 1928. When he was given the chance to act as the Chief Minister of Bengal, he wanted to pursue his profession. However according to the advice of Gandhiji he accepted the position. He received the Bharat Ratna award on 4^th February 1961. He died on 1^st July 1962. His birthday is celebrated as the National Doctor’s Day. 

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Updated: October 09, 2011