Krishnanagar:
In an effort to transform personal grief into public service, the parents of the junior doctor who was brutally raped and murdered inside RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in August 2024 have announced plans to establish a non-profit, semi-charitable hospital in Krishnanagar, West Bengal. The proposed hospital is intended to serve financially disadvantaged patients and keep their daughter’s memory alive through service.
Trust Formed to Take Initiative Forward
The initiative is being formalised through a trust set up by the victim’s parents from Sodepur in North 24-Parganas, with support from friends and well-wishers who stood by them after the tragedy. The trust, named after Abhaya, has already identified possible locations in Krishnanagar for the hospital, marking the first concrete step towards realising the project.
Land Donated by Local Councillor
In a significant gesture, Asit Saha, a businessman and independent councillor of the Krishnanagar municipality, has offered to donate a plot of land along with a partially constructed building located near NH12 in the Mayanagar–Bahadurpur area. Expressing his emotional connection, Saha said dedicating the land to Abhaya was a matter of pride, describing her as someone like his own daughter.
Family Sees Hospital as Symbol of Resistance
The victim’s father said the hospital would stand as both a landmark of protest and a means of seeking justice for his daughter and others who face similar violence. He added that while the family had earlier declined financial help offered during protests following the murder, they would now seek contributions from well-wishers to support the hospital as a tribute to their daughter’s life and ideals.
Focus on Affordable Healthcare
The trust plans to begin with a multi-speciality hospital offering outpatient services and limited inpatient care. Senior journalist and family friend Swapan Bhowmik said the primary objective was to provide quality treatment at minimal cost to economically weaker sections. He also confirmed that the Krishnanagar unit of the Indian Medical Association, which already runs a free weekly “Abhaya Clinic,” has assured full support for the hospital once it becomes operational.
