• Published on: Jul 05, 2020
  • 1 minute read
  • By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

DOCTORS DAY: THE CELEBRATION OF DR BIDHAN CHANDRA ROY

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DOCTORS DAY: THE CELEBRATION OF DR BIDHAN CHANDRA ROY

Today is the 1st of July, also known as Doctor’s Day. We celebrate it in honor of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, one of the most influential men in Modern India.

He was born in 1882 in Patna, the youngest of five siblings, to a modest family. He studied at Presidency College, Kolkata, and later at Patna College with Honours in Mathematics. After completing further studies at Calcutta Medical College he left for England to pursue further medical training.

Records show he tried to apply at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, over 30 times before they relented and allowed entry. Within two years he was a fellow of not just the Royal College of Physicians but also the Royal College of Surgeons, a feat unheard of today.

When India was pushing for its freedom Dr Roy returned home with the aim of making his home nation’s people strong, healthy and successful. He had a major role in establishing healthcare facilities including the Jadavpur TB Hospital, Chittaranjan Seva Sadan, Kamala Nehru Memorial Hospital, Victoria Institution and Chittaranjan Cancer Hospital in Kolkata.

He was very close to Mahatma Gandhi's personal physician & the only man Gandhi would reluctantly obey. During

When India got independence, he wanted to go back to medicine, but Gandhi told him Bengal needed him. During his fast in Pune, Dr Roy visited him and encouraged him to take his medicine.

Gandhiji had refused medicines because they were was not made in India and asked him, "Why should I take your treatment? Do you treat four hundred million of my countrymen free?" The doctor had replied "No Gandhiji, I could not treat all patients free. But I came here not to treat Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, but to treat someone who represents the four hundred million people of my country."

Dr Roy was also very involved in politics and leadership roles, having a significant positive impact on people's lives. He played a role as the Mayor of Calcutta, Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University, President of the Medical Council of India and the Governor of the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh). It was under his mayorship that the city undertook a massive expansion in free education, public health care, road infrastructure, improved lighting, and water supply.

After Independence Gandhiji persuaded him to stay as a leader, in the office of Chief Minister of West Bengal, on the condition he could pick his cabinet without political interference. Under his stewardship, he elevated the state from a time of chaos and violence to one of peace within three years.

One of his quotes is hugely relevant in these times. "Difficulties are always there-they will always be there, and I am glad that there are difficulties, for they excite the imagination and the intellect, and you can then find out the means by which you can solve the problem".

It is this role model we celebrate today on Doctor’s Day.

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Secondmedic Lunch & Learns: How Combining Skill Building and Health Education Transforms Workplace Wellness

Corporate wellness is no longer limited to annual health checkups or fitness challenges. Modern organisations recognise that sustained employee wellbeing requires continuous learning, awareness and engagement. Secondmedic Lunch & Learns are designed around this philosophy, bringing together skill development and health education in a format that is practical, engaging and easy to implement.

By using informal lunchtime sessions, organisations create a safe, relaxed environment where employees can learn, ask questions and apply knowledge immediately.

 

What Are Lunch & Learn Sessions?

Lunch & Learn sessions are short, focused learning programs conducted during lunch hours.

They:

  • minimise disruption to work

  • encourage voluntary participation

  • promote informal learning

Secondmedic enhances this format by integrating health education with essential workplace skills.

 

Why Combine Skill Development with Health Education?

Health and performance are deeply interconnected.

Employees who understand:

  • stress management

  • nutrition

  • ergonomics

  • mental wellbeing

are better equipped to:

  • focus

  • collaborate

  • perform consistently

NITI Aayog workforce reports highlight that health literacy directly influences productivity and engagement.

 

The Growing Need for Workplace Health Education in India

India faces a rising burden of lifestyle diseases.

According to ICMR and NFHS-5:

  • a large portion of the working population has undiagnosed risk factors

  • stress and sedentary behaviour are increasing

  • health awareness remains low despite access to information

Workplaces offer the ideal platform for preventive health education.

 

How Secondmedic Lunch & Learns Are Structured

Secondmedic Lunch & Learns follow a structured yet flexible format:

  • short expert-led presentations

  • interactive discussions

  • real-life case examples

  • practical takeaways

Sessions are designed to be concise, engaging and actionable.

 

Health Topics Commonly Covered

Health education topics include:

  • preventive health and early detection

  • stress and mental wellbeing

  • nutrition for working professionals

  • sleep health and fatigue management

  • posture and ergonomic safety

These topics address everyday challenges faced by employees.

 

Skill-Focused Learning Areas

Alongside health, sessions also support professional growth through:

  • communication skills

  • time and energy management

  • resilience and adaptability

  • decision-making under pressure

This dual focus enhances overall workplace capability.

 

Benefits for Employees

Improved Health Awareness

Employees learn how daily habits affect long-term health.

Practical Skill Application

Skills taught can be used immediately at work and home.

Higher Engagement

Interactive sessions increase participation and interest.

Reduced Stress

Knowledge empowers employees to manage stress better.

 

Benefits for Employers

Stronger Wellness Culture

Learning-driven wellness signals genuine organisational care.

Better Productivity

Healthy, skilled employees perform more consistently.

Reduced Absenteeism

Preventive education lowers illness-related leave.

High ROI Initiative

Lunch & Learns are cost-effective and scalable.

EY-FICCI reports show that preventive wellness programs deliver long-term savings for organisations.

Why Lunch Hours Work Best

Lunchtime sessions:

  • feel informal and relaxed

  • encourage open participation

  • avoid meeting fatigue

Employees are more receptive when learning is integrated naturally into the day.

 

Virtual and Hybrid Lunch & Learns

Secondmedic adapts sessions for:

  • in-office teams

  • remote employees

  • hybrid workplaces

This ensures consistent learning experiences across locations.

 

Role of Medical and Subject Experts

Sessions are led by:

  • doctors

  • nutritionists

  • mental health professionals

  • trained facilitators

Expert-led content ensures accuracy and trust.

 

Encouraging Behaviour Change Through Education

Information alone does not drive change.

Secondmedic focuses on:

  • practical examples

  • small habit shifts

  • realistic goal setting

Lancet behaviour change studies confirm that interactive education improves long-term adherence.

 

Measuring Impact of Lunch & Learns

Organisations often observe:

  • higher session attendance

  • improved employee feedback

  • increased health screening participation

  • better engagement scores

These metrics demonstrate sustained value.

 

Aligning Lunch & Learns with Preventive Healthcare

Lunch & Learns complement:

  • preventive health checkups

  • wellness campaigns

  • digital health initiatives

They reinforce messages and encourage proactive health decisions.

 

Customisation for Organisational Needs

Secondmedic customises sessions based on:

  • workforce demographics

  • industry-specific risks

  • organisational goals

Tailored content improves relevance and impact.

 

Long-Term Value of Continuous Learning

Wellness is not a one-time intervention.

Regular Lunch & Learns:

  • reinforce healthy behaviours

  • build long-term awareness

  • create a learning culture

WHO emphasises continuous education as a pillar of workplace health promotion.

 

Conclusion

Secondmedic Lunch & Learns represent a modern, effective approach to corporate wellness by combining skill development with health education. These sessions empower employees with knowledge that improves both personal wellbeing and professional performance. Easy to implement, cost-effective and highly engaging, Lunch & Learns help organisations build healthier, more capable and more loyal teams. When learning and wellbeing come together, workplaces thrive.

 

References

  • Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Workplace Health and Lifestyle Studies
  • National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Adult Health and Risk Factor Data
  • World Health Organization (WHO) – Workplace Health Promotion Guidelines
  • Lancet – Health Education and Behaviour Change Research
  • NITI Aayog – Workforce Productivity and Preventive Health Reports
  • EY-FICCI – Corporate Wellness and Employee Engagement Studies

See all

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