As India celebrates National Doctor’s Day on July 1, Wednesday, people have to recognize the services of doctors and other medical and para-medical people who are on the fore-front of the war against Covid-19. The National Doctor’s Day is celebrated in the memory of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, a former Chief Minister of West Bengal and a well-known physician. He was born on July 1, 1882 and died on the same date in 1962. Dr Roy was honoured with the country’s highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna, on February 4, 1961. In 1991, India started celebrating the National Doctor’s Day in honour of Dr Roy as a great physician. This year, this day needs a special mention in the light of COVID-19 outbreak. It has been very hard on medical professionals who are on the forefront trying to save infected people by risking their own lives. The greatest tribute to medical fraternity would be a commitment by the masses that they take all precautions to halt and dent the spread of Coronavirus and thus unburden those affiliated with medical profession.
As India braces up for Unlock-2, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed concern that since ‘Unlock-1’ began there has been an increasing “negligence” in personal and social behaviour. Speaking on the coronavirus situation during a televised address to the nation, he said that earlier people of India we were very careful with respect to wearing of masks, social distancing and washing of hands for 20 seconds. But today, when we need to be more careful, increasing negligence is a cause of worry. We have repeatedly been highlighting in these columns that complacence towards Covid 19 can prove fatal for the people. People can’t live under constant lockdown to stop the spread of the deadly virus. They have to move out, they have to work, they have to earn. Life has to go on and so would the Covid 19 unless the scientists are able to make some vaccine for the deadly disease. In absence of a vaccine it is the people only who have to pitch in to stop the spread of the virus.
On this National Doctor’s Day, let us pledge that we will not take the risks posed by Coronavirus easy. We will follow all the set protocols – wear masks while in public; maintain social distancing; prioritize hygiene and try to stay indoors unless moving out is very necessary. This we have to do to defeat the spread of the virus and by defeating it, we will not only ensure our own safety but the safety of our loved ones.
