Recently, RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has been in the headlines because of the rape and murder case of an on-duty doctor. Nationwide protests have forced the CBI to investigate the case. The hospital is one of the most renowned hospitals and has been a part of the struggle for Independence as well. Dr. RG Kar has been the pioneer in the field of medicine and made developments in the medical field through his relevant education and experience in the nation. On the occasion of the 78th Independence Day of India, let us revive our knowledge about Dr. RG Kar, one of the greatest individuals who struggled to develop the field of medicine when India was under colonial rule.
Who was Dr. RG Kar?
- Dr. RG Kar or Dr. Radha Gobinda Kar was a renowned and popular physician, philanthropist and educationist during the colonial period in India.
- He made immense contributions in uplifting the medical education and healthcare facilities, particularly in terms of medicine in India.
- His visionary approach made him so popular, that despite so many struggles during the colonial rule, he managed to take medical education and healthcare facilities to great heights.
- He is considered as the pioneer in the field of medicine in India as he was the mastermind in establishing the first non-government medical college in Asia, today known as RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
Dr. RG Kar: Early Life And Education
- He was born on 23rd August, 1852, in Santragachi Village, Howrah, West Bengal.
- His father was also a physician and was a strong advocate of education and learning.
- He completed his schooling from the Hindu School and then enrolled in Calcutta Medical College.
- He graduated from the Calcutta Medical College in 1880 by completing his L.M.F. (Licentiate of Medical Faculty) course.
- He then moved to England to complete his Licentiate of the Royal Course for Physicians (L.R.C.P) and Licentiate in Medicine (L.M.) diplomas from the University of Edinburgh.
- He completed his education and came back in the year 1883.
Dr. RG Kar: Contributions to Medical Education
- As per the article published in 2011 on US National Library of Medicine (NLM), an official website of the United States Government, the approach of Dr. RG Kar on returning to India was described as: “Being a great visionary, Dr. Kar soon realized that the prevailing colonial culture was a great hindrance for the people at large, to get the benefit of the existing medical schools—both, as students and as patients.”
- He then decided to form a new medical school after consulting on the decision with Dr. Mahender Nath Banerjee, Dr. Akshay Kumar Datta, Dr. Bipin Maitra, Dr. Kumud Bhattacharya, Dr. M.L. Dey and Dr. B.B. Banerjee and some others as well.
- They rented a house at Baithak Khana Road and thus, ‘Calcutta School of Medicine’ was founded in 1886. Later they shifted it to Bowbazar Street. Both were located in central Calcutta.
- There was no attached hospital to the school, hence the 24-bed Mayo hospital was used for training purposes.
- The duration of the course taught was 3 years and it was a Bengali medium school.
Dr. RG Kar : Establishment of RG Kar Medical College And Hospital
- The first land of about 12 Bigha (approximately 4 acres) was purchased in the year 1898 for the development of the college building at its present location.
- To start with, a 30-bed, single story hospital building was developed and inaugurated in the year 1902 by the Governor, Lord Woodburn. The building was named after Royal Prince Albert Victor.
- Over a period of time, this building was developed to make it a three-storey building and is in the same shape even today.
- In 1902, the ‘Calcutta School of Medicine’ collaborated with ‘College of Physicians and Surgeons of Bengal’ (established in 1895).
- Following the upscaling of the premises, construction of numerous buildings also began to facilitate the various departments.
- Finally in 1916, the name ‘Belgachhia Medical College’, was established and formally inaugurated by Lord Carmichael.
- Sir R.N. Mookerjee, Maharaja Manindra Chandra Nandi, Kumar Manindra Chandra Sinha, Dr. D. Mehta, Dr. M.N. Banerjee, Honourable Nawab Samsul Huda and Surgeon General Edward were some of the attendees during the inauguration ceremony.
Dr. RG Kar : Further Developments at RG Kar Medical College And Hospital
- In 1916, the College got its preliminary affiliation from the Calcutta University for its Medicinae Baccalaureus or Bachelor of Medicine (M.B.) course and 48 students got the first admission.
- The following year, an extension of affiliation to First M.B. Standard was granted and 100 students got admission.
- In 1919, an affiliation to Final M.B. Standard was also granted by Calcutta University.
- Amidst these achievements, Dr. Radha Gobinda (RG) Kar passed away on 19th December 1918 and could not be a part of the team to witness the affiliation of Final M.B. Standard.
- Later, the college got huge support from Lord Carmichael (Governor General of Bengal) and as a thanksgiving gesture, the college got its name as Carmichael Medical College.
- In 1921, the foundation stone of the present Surgical Building was laid by Lord Ronaldshaw.
- And later various developments took place: Anatomy Block (1926), first ever Psychiatry OPD in Asia in 1933 (Dr. Girindra Sekhar Bose), Sir Kedar Nath Das Medical Hospital (1935) and Separate Cardiology Department (1939) were some of the major developments and first of their kind in that era.
- College was renamed to its original founder just after the nation got its independence. On 12th May 1948, it was renamed to RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and since then, it is known by this name.
- Soon after 10 years, on 12th May 1958, the Government of Bengal took complete control of the college..
RG Kar Medical College and Hospital: Current Status
- RG Kar Medical College and Hospital is affiliated to the West Bengal University of Health Sciences (WBUHS).
- It is also recognised under the Medical Council of India (MCI).
- RG Kar Medical College and Hospital is a 1210-bed hospital spread over an area of 15 acres with 10 buildings and seven hostels.
- The medical college offers various courses, undergraduate, postgraduate medical courses along with post doctorate, PG diploma and other such courses. It also gives training to students alongside the courses.
Every Accomplishment Is Incomplete Without Salvation
Dr. RG Kar struggled so much during his entire lifetime to work for the people of the country and succeeded in improving the healthcare facilities and medical education in the nation. With such a visionary approach, nothing seems to be far but if we calculate it spiritually then we would come to a conclusion that he left this world completely empty-handed and gained no virtues here, despite treating so many people successfully during his lifetime. Kabir Saheb has stated:
Kabir, Yeh Maya Atpati, Sab Ghat Aan Adi |
Kis Kis Ku Samjhau, Kuye Bhaang Padi ||
True spiritual wealth is earned only by performing true devotion under the divine refuge of a Complete Saint. A Complete Saint is a Tatvdarshi Sant as mentioned in Holy Geeta ji chapter 4 verse 34. In the Holy Geeta ji, chapter 15, verses 1-4 depicts the creation of the universe as an upside down tree hanging from the top and the one Who can appropriately explain all parts of this inverted tree, is considered as a Complete Saint (Tatvdarshi Sant).
Who Is A Complete Saint?
As we all are educated now, it is very easy to understand our Holy Scriptures and identify the Complete Saint with some efforts. Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj stands true on all the identifications of being a Complete Saint. Through His divine discourses, Sant Rampal Ji elucidates the hidden truth of our holy scriptures that he alone has succeeded in decoding. The worship granted by Him is giving innumerable benefits (physical, mental and social) to devotees, just like we used to hear in ancient folktales what God gives to His devotees.
As rightly stated by Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj, ‘the later you come, the more you will repent’, this is a golden chance for each and every one of us that we must not let go. Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj is extending His hand to save humanity as He is the only true representative of Supreme God Kabir.
For more information, you can visit www.jagatgururampalji.org
Alternatively, you can also watch His discourses on ‘Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj’ Youtube channel.
Biography of Dr. RG Kar: FAQs
Q: What is the full form of RG Kar?
A: It is Dr. Radha Gobinda Kar and its the name of the doctor who founded this medical college and hospital.
Q: What is the RG Kar incident?
A: A second year medical student was raped, murdered, and consequently found dead in a seminar hall of thid government-run medical college.
Q: Who is RG Kar named after?
A: It is named after its founder Dr. Radha Gobinda Kar.
