A service motto and a love for the job is essential to succeed in the field of medicine

`Doctor's Day', is celebrated on July 1 every year, holds special significance for medical practitioners in India as it is on this day that doctor's are celebrated for the irreplaceable roles that they play inour lives. From dentists to neurosurgeons, Ayurveda consultants to heart specialists, physicians to paediatricians, Doctor's Day is the time to pay tribute to the entire medical profession. This is in commemoration of the birth Anniversary of Eminent Physician and Patriot Dr.B.C.Roy.
The history of this special day dates back to the 1800's when an American, Dr. Crawford W. 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 red carnation was chosen as the official symbol of Doctors Day because of the colour of the flower denotes love, charity, sacrifice, bravery and courage, all of which are synonymous with the medical profession.
Interestingly, the story of Doctor's Day in India is quite different and few people actually know why it is celebrated. First of July happens to be the birthday of a famous Indian physician, Dr B C Roy who was born on this day in the year 1882, in Patna, Bihar After his medicaLgraduation at Calcutta, he completed his MRCP and FRCS at London and returned to India in 1911. His career as a physician began in 1911, after he returned to India . Thereafter, he joined the teaching staff of the Calcutta Medical College, then moved to Campbell Medical School after which he moved to the Carmichael Medical College. He excelled not only as a physician and educationist but even as a freedom fighter, joining Mahatma Gandhi in the Civil Disobedience Movement. He was instrumental in starting in many institutions including hospitals and for caring for thousands of patients.
Dr Roy's dedication to the upliftment of Indian society and his love for serving the people led him to the political arena, where he first became leader of Indian National Congress and later Chief Minister of West Bengal. After a life of work and service, the doctor passed away on July 1, 1962, on his birthday.
Doctor's Day thus pays tribute to Dr B C Roy and all doctors like him, who spend their lives helping others. The nation has honoured Dr.Roy with Bharat Ratna and the B.C.Roy National Award instituted in 1976.
This special day is an ideal opportunity to remind people of the critical role doctor's play in our lives. Being a doctor is not just a 'job'; it is a challenging commitment to service that requires high levels of skill and precision. To make a tough job even tougher, doctors also have to deal with the reality that even a small professional mistake could drastically affect a patient's life. Doctor's Day is the perfect time for patients to acknowledge the high-pressured job and appreciate their doctor's ability to comfort and heal.
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. All doctors begin their professional lives with the noble ideals of serving humanity and healing those in need, however some practitioners lose sight of these ideas and become corrupt and unethical. Doctor's Day is thus is a time for doctors to reflect on their own careers, realize the responsibility they bear and redirect themselves onto an ethical path of healing those in need.
Unfortunately, the medical profession today is witnessing a rapidly deteriorating patient-doctor relationship, with people losing faith in their doctor's abilities. The easy availability of medical information, and misinformation, from the media and the Internet is also responsible for clouding a patient's view of their doctor's advice. Nowadays, doctors are more often the victims of criticism while their successes are overlooked. It is true that the medical profession carries a heavy responsibility with it, but people need to realize that behind the white coat and stethoscope is a normal human being and like in all other professions, doctors too need appreciation for their work and efforts.
On this Doctor's Day, make an effort to honour doctors for their skill and commitment. Single out a family doctor, psychologist, dentist, nurse or any health care professional and show them your gratitude for the care they have provided you and your loved ones. This day provides students and those who work in hospitals, nursing homes or other medical facilities with the ideal opportunity to express their thanks to doctors for mentoring, being supportive and encouraging. Give your doctor a card, a gift or just say a simple, heart-felt 'Thank You': it will brighten up their day and make them feel respected and appreciated.
So here's wishing all doctors a very Happy Doctor's Day!

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Hindu