Message at IMA NATCON100 : Dr Hedgwar’s legacy

 

Dr Hedgewar’s legacy for Health and Nation Building to Modern Medical Fraternity

As the Indian Medical Association (IMA) celebrates the historic milestone of its 100th edition of the All India Medical Conference (NATCON 2025), we find ourselves at a unique civilizational crossroads. Exactly a century ago, the IMA was founded by luminaries like Dr. B.C. Roy and Dr. Nilratan Sircar to champion medical ethics and service. Simultaneously, another physician, Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, founded the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Nagpur with a vision of "Man-making for Nation-building".  

Today, as both organizations mark a century of existence, there is a profound message for the modern medical fraternity: the healing of a nation requires more than clinical skill; it requires a foundation of unwavering ethics, morality, and social responsibility.  

Diagnosing the "National Illness"

Dr. Hedgewar, a trained physician from the National Medical College in Kolkata, viewed India’s decline under colonial rule not merely as a political failure, but as a deep-seated "national illness" characterized by a loss of social cohesion and civic fabric. He believed that a society fragmented by distrust and a lack of self-respect could not sustain true health or independence.  

For the modern doctor, this diagnosis remains relevant. In an era where technology and commercialization often overshadow the "forgotten art of healing," we must ask ourselves if we are treating the symptoms while ignoring the moral health of our communities.  

The Ethos of Sewa (Selfless Service)

The core legacy Dr. Hedgewar left for the medical fraternity is the ideal of Sewa—placing the collective good above individual gain. This spirit is exemplified by the thousands of health projects inspired by his vision, from hospitals in Sambhajinagar to emergency relief during the Tsunami, the Kedarnath tragedy, and the COVID-19 pandemic.  

"Service is the highest virtue. This is for the nation, not for me." (Sewa Parmo Dharma; Idam Rashtraya, Idam Na Mama) .  

This philosophy challenges the modern practitioner to be more than a technician. It calls us to be disciplined citizens who use our professional skills to bridge gaps in rural healthcare and provide aid during national calamities.  

Integrating Tradition with Modernity

Dr. Hedgewar did not reject the West; he integrated its tools while maintaining an indigenous direction. Similarly, the modern medical fraternity is encouraged to find a "rooted regeneration"—maintaining scientific rigor while respecting India’s traditional knowledge systems and the "soil" from which our patients come.  

True reform in healthcare must draw from this soil. It requires:

Character over Skill: As technology increases, the risk of decreasing ethics grows. We must prioritize character-building to ensure that expertise is guided by morality.  Duty before Rights: National and professional strength flows from the ethical citizen who understands their obligations to society, rather than just their legal entitlements.  

A Call to Action: The Panch Parivartan

To honor this dual centenary, let the medical fraternity embrace the Panch Parivartan (Five Changes) within our personal and professional lives:  

1. Samajik Samrasata (Social Equality): Treating every patient with equal dignity, regardless of caste or status.  

2. Paryavaran Suraksha (Environmental Protection): Recognizing that public health is inextricably linked to the health of our planet.  

3. Kutumb Prabodhan (Family Values): Strengthening the family unit as the primary site of health and moral education.  

4. Swadeshi & Swa-Bodh (Self-Reliance & Self-Realization): Taking pride in indigenous solutions and maintaining our cultural identity in global practice.  

5. Nagrik Kartvya (Civic Duty): Adhering to the highest standards of civic and professional discipline.  

Conclusion

As we look toward the next century, let us remember that the medical profession is a sacred trust. By blending the scientific excellence of the IMA with the spirit of selfless service and character-building championed by Dr. Hedgewar, we can move toward a future of Sarve Santu Niramaya—where all are free from disease and blessed with well-being.