New Delhi: Expressing grief over the death of the famed "one-rupee-doctor" of West Bengal's Birbhum Sushovan Bandyopadhyay, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday took to microblogging site Twitter and said, "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."
Sushovan, who was fondly known as "Ek Takar Daktar", has been treating patients for a long time at Bolpur in Birbhum for only 1 rupee per visit. Sushovan was once elected MLA from Bolpur for Congress. After the Trinamool Congress was formed, he became the first district president of the Trinamool in Birbhum.
In the year 2020, he was honoured with the highest civilian award: the Padma Shri and in the same year, he achieved another feat as his name was recorded in the Guinness World Records for treating the maximum number of patients.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed sorrow on Twitter. "Sad to know of the demise of benevolent doctor Sushovan Bandyopadhyay. The famed one-rupee-doctor of Birbhum was known for his public-spirited philanthropy, and I express my sincerest condolences," the CM wrote.
Padma Shri awardee Sushovan was battling kidney problems for the last few months. He was admitted to the North City Private Hospital in Kolkata 20 days ago. He died there at around 11:30 am on Tuesday. He was 83 at the time of his death.