Page 61 - NIS English 16-31 Jan, 2026

Munishwar Chandra Dawar | PERSONALITY

A Saviour for Poor Patients

Dr Munishwar Chandra Dawar, who treated millions of patients during his lifetime, even in this
period of high inflation, used to charge just 20 rupees to the patients. For this reason, veteran
army physician Dr Munishwar Chandra Dawar was revered by the people of Madhya Pradesh as
a godlike figure for the underprivileged. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2023 for his selfless
service to society and contributions to medicine. His spirit of public service will continue to
inspire people for generations to come...

Born: January 16, 1946 Died: July 4, 2025

unishwar Chandra Dawar, who made public always crowded with patients. His sole purpose was
service the sole purpose of his life, was born to serve the people. His commitment to service was
Mon January 16, 1946, in undivided India, now so strong that he continued treating patients for 50
part of Pakistan. After the partition, his family moved years. Initially, he charged only 2 rupees as a fee,
to India. In 1967, he obtained his medical degree which later increased to 5, 10, 15, and 20 rupees.
from Jabalpur and dedicated himself to serving the Considered a symbol of affordable healthcare, Dr
people. Later, he joined the Indian Army and served Dawar also campaigned against drug addiction and
there for about a year during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan was very aware of social issues.
war. During his posting in Bangladesh during the In 2023, when Dr Dawar was awarded the Padma
war, he treated many injured soldiers. After the war, Shri, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu,
due to health reasons, he took early retirement in presented him with the honour. He had also re-
1972 and decided to continue serving humanity in ceived several other accolades. Furthermore, when
Jabalpur, where he opened his own clinic. He started Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Jabalpur, he
treating patients for just 2 rupees and remained ded- personally met with Dr Dawar and enquired about
icated to this service for nearly five decades. his health and well-being. PM Modi remarked that
One lesson learnt from his teacher became his many people in Jabalpur and the surrounding areas
guiding principle for life. His teacher had told him appreciated his efforts in treating the poor and
that the medical profession is for serving people, underprivileged. In April 2024, JP Nadda also met
not for exploiting them. These words changed the with Dr Dawar at his home. Dr Dawar, a symbol of
direction of his life. The impact of his good and service, dedication, and compassion, passed away
affordable treatment was such that his clinic was on July 4, 2025. n

January 16-31, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 59