Last updated:
He was born on August 23, 1850.
The founder of this famous hospital is Dr. Radhagobinda Kar of Howrabator.
Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital hit the headlines for the tragic incident involving sexual assault and murder of a medical student, sparking outrage across Bengal and the country. People from all walks of life are demanding justice. The name of this historic hospital is now associated with a horrific event, but did you know its founding history and founder?
It is said that during the 1899 plague epidemic that turned into a pandemic in Calcutta, an Irish woman wandered the lanes of North Calcutta tending to the sick. A district health officer is also working tirelessly to save patients in north Kolkata. Some time later, the Irish woman and the doctor met. In order to curb the spread of the plague and reduce the mortality rate, they worked together. The Irish woman was Sister Nivedita and the doctor was Dr. Radha Gobinda Khar. RG Kar Medical College and Hospital is one of the premier hospitals in Kolkata. The founder of this famous hospital is Dr. Radhagobinda Kar of Howrabator. He dedicated his life to ensuring access to health care for the people of Bangladesh. The famous Kal House in Bato, not far from Ramrajathala station in Howrah district, was his birthplace. Radha Gobinda Khar was born on August 23, 1850.
In 1883, he left Calcutta to study medicine in Scotland and received his MRCP certificate from the University of Edinburgh in 1887. Although he had the opportunity to practice medicine abroad, he returned to Bangladesh. His father Durgadas Kar was a medical officer in undivided Bengal and established the Mitford Hospital in Dhaka. Dr. Ka would cycle from Bergaria to Dum Dum, visiting homes and treating patients. He was wearing a hat, riding a bicycle and carrying a canvas bag. He not only treated patients, but also helped them in various ways, even paying for medicines. It is remarkable that a doctor returning from England should be so highly regarded by his poor patients.
As a doctor returning from England, he sided with the helpless poor of Bengal. At that time, medical education followed the European system and Bangladeshi students faced difficulties in learning medicine. He wrote several books on medical health, the first of which, Vishagbandhu, was published in 1871. In order to raise funds for the hospital, the doctor who returned from England even resorted to begging. He would solicit donations from the rich in Kolkata, standing at their doorsteps during celebrations and asking for donations, saying: “If you can donate some money, it will be a big help. I can build a hospital for everyone.” .
He donated all his earnings as a doctor to establish medical schools and hospitals. He purchased 12 Bihas land in Belgaria, built a hospital there and established Belgaria Medical College. However, the name didn't last long. On July 5, 1916, the two-story building of the medical school was inaugurated by Lord Carmichael and was later renamed the medical school. Before independence, this center of medical education was known as Carmichael Medical College. In 1948, during a severe financial crisis, there were calls for another name change. However, the then Chief Minister of West Bengal Bidhan Chandra Roy did not allow it. It was on his initiative that the college was named after Dr. Radhagobinda Kar, hence the name RG Kar.
To this day, there are still two doctors in the Ka family. From the past to the present, the Haurakar family has continued to carry out various activities for the society and the people. Regarding the recent incident at RG Kar Hospital, family member Partha Kar said: “We are not looking for answers to any questions; we are just looking for answers. “We are looking for a quick resolution to the current issues. This hospital was established with a noble purpose and it should continue to serve the people of Bangladesh. It is hoped that such problems will not occur again in the hospital in the future.
