Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday paid her tributes to Bidhan Chandra Roy, the first CM of the state, on his birth and death anniversary, which is observed as National Doctors' Day. She also extended her wishes to all the doctors and health workers on the occasion. "My heartfelt tributes to former West Bengal Chief Minister Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy on his birth and death anniversary. I extend my warmest greetings and congratulations to all doctors and all brothers and sisters involved in medical services on National Doctors' Day," Banerjee posted on X. The first National Doctors' Day was observed in 1991 to pay tribute to Roy's contributions to the health sector in the country.
Roy, a Congress leader, was called the architect of modern West Bengal and was the chief minister of the state from 1950 to 1962. He was born on this day in 1882 and died in 1962. Roy was honoured with the Bharat Ratna in 1961, and during his tenure as the CM, he played a crucial role in laying the foundation of cities such as Kalyani, Durgapur and Salt Lake, and setting up several institutions, including IIT Kharagpur.