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Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy
1 July 1882 - 1 July 1962
 Bidhan
Chandra Roy was the second chief minister of
West Bengal (India).
He was a regarded highly as physician and a freedom fighter. A brilliant
student, he passed his Entrance examination from Patna Collegiate School in
1897 and FA examination from Patna College in 1899. In 1901 he graduated
from Patna College with Honors in Mathematics and applied to both
Bengal Engineering College, Shibpur
(now
Bengal Engineering and Science University) and
Calcutta Medical College (now
Medical College & Hospital Kolkata). He got
his admission from both institutions but joined Calcutta Medical College as
he received their acceptance letter first. While at medical school Bidhan
came upon an inscription which read, "Whatever thy hands findeth to do, do
it with thy might." Bidhan was deeply impressed by these words and they
became a source of inspiration for him throughout his life.
Bidhan sailed for England with only Rs. 1,200
in February of 1909 intending to enroll himself at St. Bartholomew's to
further his education. The Dean, reluctant to accept a student from Asia,
rejected Bidhan's application. Dr. Roy did not loose heart. Again and again
he submitted his application until finally the Dean, after 30 admission
requests, accepted Bidhan to the college. Within two years and three months,
Bidhan completed his M.R.C.P and F.R.C.S and returned home from England in
1911. On his return he taught at the
Calcutta Medical College (now Medical
College & Hospital Kolkata, then the Campbell Medical School and
finally at the Carmichael Medical College (now R. G. Kar Medical College and
Hospital)
As the chief Minister of West Bengal he set the blueprint for West Bengal's
development. At his initiative the Government of India undertook the refugee
rehabilitation plan at Dandakaranya. Roy took up projects of new townships
at Salt Lake, Kalyani and Durgapur and planned an exciting tourist spot at
Digha. He initiated the establishment of Burdwan, Kalyani and North Bengal
Universities. On February 4, 1961, the Government of India honored Dr. Roy
with the highest civilian award,
Bharat Ratna.
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