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

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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Monthly Healthy Potluck at Health Hubs: Building Community Wellness in India

Community-driven health initiatives are becoming an essential part of India’s preventive healthcare movement. While medical technology, AI diagnostics and digital screenings strengthen clinical care, lifestyle habits still remain the foundation of long-term wellness. One powerful but simple community practice gaining popularity is the Monthly Healthy Potluck at Health Hubs.

These potlucks promote healthier eating, strengthen social support systems, and bring people together to learn about nutrition and wellness in an enjoyable and accessible format. SecondMedic’s preventive health framework aligns perfectly with this model by integrating health education, nutrition insights and early-risk awareness into community activities.

This blog explores how monthly healthy potlucks are transforming health hubs across India and supporting preventive lifestyle habits at scale.

Why Community Wellness Matters in India

India is witnessing a steep rise in lifestyle-related illnesses.
According to the ICMR-NCD Burden Study:
• Over 100 million Indians live with diabetes
• Heart disease accounts for nearly 28% of all deaths
• Hypertension is becoming prevalent across younger age groups

Simultaneously, NFHS-5 data highlights increasing obesity, poor dietary diversity and rising sedentary behaviour. These challenges signal not just medical issues, but lifestyle gaps.

Community-based wellness initiatives provide the social support and collective learning required to bridge those gaps.

What Is a Monthly Healthy Potluck at Health Hubs?

A Monthly Healthy Potluck is a wellness event where:
• Participants bring nutritious homemade dishes
• Recipes focus on balance, low oil and whole ingredients
• Everyone eats together and shares food philosophy
• Health experts provide short preventive care sessions
• Participants learn simple, realistic lifestyle habits

This model transforms health hubs into interactive wellness environments instead of passive medical facilities.

Why Healthy Potlucks Work

1. They Make Healthy Eating Enjoyable

Healthy meals often feel restrictive when practiced alone. In a group setting, they become exciting because:
• People discover new recipes
• Participants try dishes they wouldn’t normally cook
• Food presentation inspires creativity
• Everyone learns portion control naturally

2. They Promote Social Accountability

When people cook, share and learn together, they form supportive communities that motivate consistent lifestyle changes.

3. They Strengthen Nutritional Awareness

Nutrition education becomes simpler when demonstrated through real food instead of lectures.

4. They Align with Preventive Healthcare

NITI Aayog’s Preventive Health & Wellness Report highlights behavioural change as a key driver of long-term health improvement. Potlucks encourage achievable, small lifestyle shifts.

Components of a Healthy Potluck at SecondMedic Health Hubs

1. Balanced Dish Contributions

Participants are encouraged to bring nutrient-dense dishes such as:
• Millet-based meals
• Vegetable-rich Indian curries
• Lean protein options
• Low-oil tiffin-style foods
• Fermented dishes
• Fruit bowls and salads

This ensures variety, balance and education through real examples.

2. Nutrition Spotlights

Health experts share quick insights on:
• Portion control
• Glycemic index
• Healthy cooking oils
• Hidden sugars
• Smart plate design
• Hydration science

These micro-education sessions empower participants to make better decisions at home.

3. Preventive Health Mini-Screenings

SecondMedic integrates:
• BMI checks
• Blood pressure assessments
• Sugar evaluations
• Quick fatigue and stress scoring

These screenings help individuals understand their health status while encouraging early intervention.

4. Recipe Exchange Corners

Participants document and exchange easy-to-cook healthy recipes. This fosters a culture of shared learning and innovation.

5. Wellness Activities

Events may include:
• 5-minute yoga routines
• Breathing exercises
• Mindfulness techniques
• Movement challenges

These fun micro-activities teach participants how to incorporate wellness effortlessly into daily routines.

How Healthy Potlucks Support India’s Preventive Health Movement

Encouraging Long-Term Dietary Shifts

When individuals repeatedly attend monthly events, their meal choices gradually transform. Consistency builds habits.

Reducing Fear Around Healthy Cooking

Seeing others prepare simple, tasty, low-oil dishes removes the stigma that healthy food is bland or difficult.

Strengthening Social Connectivity

Community bonds reduce stress, loneliness and isolation-factors known to weaken immunity and increase chronic disease risk.

Improving Health Literacy

Real-time demonstrations outperform written instructions. It becomes easier to understand nutrient density, fibre-rich meals and balanced plates when they are visually presented.

Supporting Digital Health Ecosystems

SecondMedic integrates event data into digital dashboards:
• Meal analysis
• Health scores
• Lifestyle tracking
• Preventive alerts

This combination of offline community activity and online tracking strengthens long-term adherence.

Example of a Healthy Potluck Spread

• Moong dal khichdi with vegetables
• Ragi roti with garlic chutney
• Grilled paneer salad
• Millet upma
• Fruit and nut platter
• Sprout chaat with lemon
• Buttermilk infused with mint

These items are affordable, accessible and easy to prepare-ideal for the Indian lifestyle.

Conclusion

Monthly Healthy Potlucks at Health Hubs offer a simple yet powerful model for promoting preventive healthcare in India. These events blend nutrition, social bonding, lifestyle learning and community-led motivation. They encourage individuals to adopt healthier habits without pressure, restriction or complexity.

With SecondMedic’s integrated preventive care framework, these potlucks become more than social gatherings-they become catalysts for building healthier communities, improving dietary behaviour and supporting long-term wellness.

References

• ICMR NCD Burden Study - Lifestyle & Dietary Risk Factors in India
• National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
• NITI Aayog - Preventive Health & Community Wellness Framework
• Lancet Public Health India - Impact of Community Nutrition Programs
• WHO Guidelines on Community Health Promotion
• Statista India Wellness & Healthy Eating Behaviour Report
• EY-FICCI Integrated Preventive Care Model for India

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