By Dipak Kurmi
India marks National Doctor’s Day on July 1 every year to recognise the tireless service, dedication, and compassion of the country’s medical professionals. The day honours the vital role doctors play in healing, protecting, and supporting communities—often at great personal cost. In 2025, this observance takes on even deeper meaning as the nation reflects on the emotional and psychological challenges faced by its doctors, with the poignant theme: “Behind the Mask: Who Heals the Healers?” This theme calls upon society not only to express gratitude but also to address the often-neglected well-being of the medical community.
The significance of July 1 as National Doctor’s Day in India is rooted in history and reverence for one of the country’s most iconic physicians, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy. Instituted by the Government of India in 1991, the day commemorates both the birth and death anniversary of Dr. Roy—a rare coincidence that symbolically encapsulates his life of service. Born on July 1, 1882, and passing away on the same date in 1962, Dr. Roy left behind a legacy that transcends the boundaries of medicine, reaching into education, politics, and social reform.
Dr. Roy’s journey to becoming a doctor was marked by resilience and determination. Born in Patna during the Bengal Presidency of British India, Roy initially completed a degree in Mathematics from the University of Calcutta before deciding to pursue medicine. However, his admission into St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in London was not straightforward. In an era when racial discrimination was rampant, Roy was denied admission 29 times purely for being an Asian. Yet, his unwavering spirit saw him succeed on his 30th attempt. This small victory was the beginning of a remarkable career. He went on to achieve both the MRCP (Member of the Royal College of Physicians) and FRCS (Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons) qualifications in the same year—a feat virtually unprecedented at the time.
Upon his return to India, Dr. Roy became a beacon of hope for thousands of patients. His consulting practice grew to such an extent that the British Medical Journal described him as having “possibly the largest consulting practice in the world.” Crowds would gather wherever he went, desperate for his expertise and healing touch. Yet, Roy’s ambitions were never confined to private practice. He firmly believed that healthcare was a public right and worked tirelessly to improve India’s medical infrastructure.
Dr. Roy’s political journey began in 1925 when he joined the Indian National Congress. By 1948, he had risen to become the second Chief Minister of West Bengal, a role he fulfilled with vision and dedication until his death in 1962. Under his leadership, West Bengal witnessed major advances in healthcare and education. Roy was instrumental in establishing institutions like the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Medical Council of India (MCI), both of which continue to shape the standards and governance of medical practice in India today. In recognition of his extraordinary service, the Government of India awarded him the Bharat Ratna in 1961, the country’s highest civilian honour.
Dr. Roy’s personal associations further reflect his stature in India’s socio-political history. He was the personal physician to both Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, two towering figures in India’s independence and post-independence governance. Despite his busy political career, Roy remained deeply committed to medicine and public health. His final act of generosity was to donate his residence to be converted into a nursing home, named after his mother Aghorkamini Devi, herself a noted social worker and Brahmo Samaj member.
The historical reverence for Dr. Roy makes National Doctor’s Day more than just a calendar event. It has evolved into a nationwide tribute to the collective medical fraternity. Traditionally, the day is observed through small yet heartfelt gestures—patients sending thank-you cards, health organisations hosting luncheons or felicitation ceremonies, and red carnations being distributed as symbols of love and respect. In many places, flowers are laid on the graves of deceased doctors as a gesture of remembrance.
However, in the contemporary context—especially after the COVID-19 pandemic and amid ongoing public health challenges—the need to support doctors goes beyond ceremonial appreciation. The 2025 theme, “Behind the Mask: Who Heals the Healers?”, addresses an urgent societal responsibility. Doctors are often perceived as invincible figures—symbols of strength and resilience—but the reality beneath the mask is far more complex. Every day, these professionals confront trauma, death, moral dilemmas, and high-pressure decision-making environments. They often do so while neglecting their own health, happiness, and families.
A senior official from the Health Ministry, commenting on this year’s theme, stated, “Every day, doctors prioritise the lives of others, often neglecting their own well-being. This year’s theme is a reminder to care for those who care for us.” This sentiment captures the growing concern within the medical community over rising mental health issues among doctors. Recent studies have pointed to alarming rates of depression, burnout, anxiety, and even suicides among healthcare workers in India. Long shifts, emotional fatigue, frequent exposure to death, and, tragically, instances of violence against doctors by patients’ relatives, all contribute to an increasingly unsustainable work environment.
In 2025, National Doctor’s Day is not just about honouring the profession; it is also a call to action. Hospitals and medical institutions across India are using the occasion to organize mental health workshops, stress management seminars, and public campaigns promoting the protection and welfare of doctors. Some states have introduced legislation enhancing the security of healthcare workers, especially in government hospitals, while professional bodies are advocating for better work-life balance and psychological counseling facilities within healthcare setups.
Social media too has emerged as a platform for patients and communities to share stories of gratitude. Across platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, people are posting tributes, sharing personal narratives of doctors who saved their lives or comforted them during vulnerable moments. Educational institutions are also conducting awareness drives, sensitizing young students to respect and value the healthcare profession.
Yet, while these gestures are heartening, experts stress that more systemic changes are needed. Improved doctor-patient ratios, better healthcare funding, infrastructural upgrades, and nationwide programs focusing on doctors’ mental health must become policy priorities. Just as Dr. Roy once balanced his clinical practice with social reform, today’s leadership must balance admiration for doctors with concrete measures that address their challenges.
As India continues to face complex public health threats—from infectious diseases to lifestyle disorders—its dependence on the medical community will only deepen. National Doctor’s Day 2025 thus serves as a reminder of both legacy and responsibility. It celebrates the indomitable spirit of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy and thousands of doctors who walk in his footsteps. At the same time, it forces society to confront the uncomfortable but crucial truth that healers too need healing.
In honouring those behind the mask, India takes a step towards building a healthcare system where compassion flows both ways—where doctors not only save lives but also live their own with dignity, respect, and wellness.
(The writer can be reached at dipakkurmiglpltd@gmail.com)
