New Delhi: On August 9, 2024, Kolkata and West Bengal woke up to horror and shock after learning about the rape and murder of a Post-Graduate trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, which was thought to be one of the premier medical institutions in the city. Since then, the heinous crime has triggered a massive uproar throughout the state. The effect of the protest to demand justice for the woman has reached beyond the boundaries of Bengal as leading personalities including Bollywood actresses and Indian cricketers condemned the incident.
Before the perpetration of the terrible crime at its premises, the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital (RGKMCH) was considered one of the finest medical institutions in India. It is the first private medical college in Asia. Established in 1886, it was one of the first hospitals in Kolkata to ensure self-sufficiency in medical education and services during the British Raj since the city served as its capital in India. From 1916 to 2003, it was under the Calcutta University and is currently affiliated with the West Bengal University of Health Sciences. Today, it is a government medical institution.
Radha Gobinda Kar: The man after whom the hospital is named
Born on August 23, 1852, Radha Gobinda Kar was a Bengali physician and philanthropist. He was born in Santragachi, a neighbourhood in Howrah and his father, Durgadas Kar, was a physician. He studied at Kolkata’s Hindu School, Asia’s oldest modern educational institution and a very prestigious school at that time.
After completing his school education, Radha Gobinda enrolled in the Calcutta Medical College to study medicine but left after a year. In 1880, he resumed his studies there and he would be a student in the college for the next three years. In 1883, he got his medical degree from the University of Edinburgh.
On October 18, 1886, Kar and other doctors established the Calcutta School of Medicine as they wanted a medical institution which was separate from the British Raj. In August 1887, its name was changed to the Calcutta Medical School. Later, it joined with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Bengal and was renamed The Calcutta Medical School and College of Physicians and Surgeons of Bengal.
In 1916, its name was changed to Belgachhia Medical College and it was inaugurated by the then Governor of Bengal Lord Carmichael with its first batch of 48 students. For its better management, the ‘Medical Education Society of Bengal’ was formed. Radha Gobinda Kar passed away on May 12, 1918, at the age of 68. Following his demise, the college was renamed RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
On August 9, Bengal woke up to the news of the rape and murder of a Post-Graduate trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Since then, the heinous crime has triggered a massive uproar throughout the state. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
