Kolkata's 'Hospital Man' Partha Karchowdhury Pauses Noble Service Amid LPG Crisis
In the Bhowanipore area of Kolkata, a pool car driver named Partha Karchowdhury has earned the affectionate nickname 'hospital man' for his decade-long act of kindness. For years, he has been providing free meals to family members of patients undergoing treatment at Chittaranjan National Cancer Hospital (CNCI) and Sambhunath Pandit Hospital. However, this vital service has now come to a sudden halt due to a severe shortage of LPG cylinders, affecting his ability to cook and distribute food.
A Decade of Dedication Interrupted
The 55-year-old resident of Mahamayatala Lane has been unable to deliver meals to patients' kin since Thursday, marking a rare pause in his humanitarian efforts. Karchowdhury, who began this service after recovering from a lung disease himself, had not even stopped during the challenging pandemic period. He recalled, "I never stopped even for a day during those difficult times." His inspiration came from witnessing the struggles of families accompanying patients during his own treatment at Sambhunath Pandit Hospital. "I had seen how people who accompany patients put up at the hospital during the treatment period. They are not always able to manage good food for themselves," he explained.
Daily Routine and Impact
Karchowdhury's daily routine involves dropping children to school early in the morning, then picking up meals for at least 60 people from his kitchen in New Alipore. He distributes these meals outside the gates of both hospitals. For dinner, he prepares and packs food for approximately 90 people, serving over 150 individuals daily. One beneficiary, Nishar Ali (26), shared his gratitude, remembering how Karchowdhury provided meals twice a day when his mother, Hasina Bibi (50), was undergoing cancer treatment at CNCI.
Current Challenges and Community Concern
The lack of LPG cylinders has created a significant obstacle, with Karchowdhury expressing uncertainty about refilling soon. "There was no hope for refiling of the cylinder soon," he stated, highlighting the practical challenges that threaten his ongoing service. This interruption underscores the broader issues of resource availability affecting grassroots humanitarian efforts in urban areas.
Karchowdhury's story is a testament to sustained community support, but it also reveals the fragility of such initiatives when faced with logistical hurdles. As the 'hospital man' awaits a solution, the families who rely on his generosity are left hoping for a quick resolution to resume this essential service.
