'One-rupee-doctor' Sushovan Bandyopadhyay dead at 84

Sushovan Bandyopadhyay famous as Bengal's 'one rupee doctor' passed away on Tuesday in a Kolkata hospital. Bandyopadhyay was 84. He had been suffering for about the two years from kidney related ailments.

A doctor and a politician, Bandyopadhyay treated patients for close to 60 long years for just one rupee and is fondly known as 'Ek Takar Daktar' (one rupee doctor). He is an ex-MLA from Bolpur seat and had contested on Congress ticket in 1984.

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He had been a member of Trinamool Congress in the past and was its district president, but had later quit the party. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2020. The same year his name was recorded in the Guinness World Records for treating the maximum number of patients.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled Bandyopadhyay's death.

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Modi tweeted "Dr Sushovan Bandyopadhyay epitomised the best of human spirit. He will be remembered as a kind and large hearted person who cured many people. "I recall my interaction with him at the Padma Awards ceremony. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti," he wrote.

Banerjee tweeted, "Sad to know of the demise of benevolent doctor Sushovan Bandyopadhyay. She said "The famed one-rupee-doctor of Birbhum was known for his public-spirited philanthropy, and I express my sincerest condolences."