Today everyone is familiar with the name Dr. Gokul Bora in Assam and Indian Academy of pediatrics. He is one of the most renowned and acclaimed child specialists and a writer of Assam having various reputed Awards. He is my inspiration too. He was only the first person to start Oral Polio Vaccine in Assam and Former President of Indian Academy of Pediatrics [IAP] Assam and East zone and Chairperson of some of the National Conferences. But he wasn’t like this from beginning of his life. Nobody can even think about his struggle in his early life.

Dr Gokul Bora being honoured with Purbanchal Shishuvisesagya Shiromani Award by IAP East zone Co-ordination Committee in 2003

Dr. Gokul Bora was born on 5th of October 1944 at Jhanji, Tamuli Gaon, Jorhat. His father Late Ghana Kanta Borah, a rigid personality person with a soft heart was a Headmaster in Amguri Middle English School and his mother Late Aikon Bora was a benevolent, pious homemaker. Moreover he also had an Elder Brother. From a very tender age he believed in Simple living and High thinking. He was quite determined from his childhood to bring a remarkable change in his Society as he was being raised in a very respectable environment. During those days there was lack of resources, infrastructure etc; so he had to go school without proper uniform and shoes. He passed out his matriculation examination from Jorhat Govt. High School in 1959. Then he came to Guwahati and settled down in a Hostel to complete his Intermediate Science Course. He could only meet his parents twice or thrice in a year. Everything was going all right, he passed out his Intermediate Science Course from Cotton College, Guwahati and he further went to pursue his MBBS degree but suddenly his turning point of life came and devastated his mind. Dr. Bora’s father was giving fees for his education till when he was in his second year of MBBS. When he was going to give second year exam, he suddenly heard that his father is not well. He then went to his home and saw his father lying in the bed. We can imagine his character from this thing that he hasn’t told any lie in his entire life. He then touches the religious scripture of Lord Krishna “Kirtan” written by Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva and said his last word which was “Vasudev” and he died. Shockingly he knows that when he will die as if the Almighty is in his heart.

After the death of his father Ghana Kanta Bora, Dr. Bora’s entire life was changed. Fortunately his elder brother came forward to support him to complete his MBBS course. Finally he passed out his MBBS degree from Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh in 1966. After that he did his D.C.H. in 1969 from the same medical college. He did his MD in pediatrics from Lady Hardinge Medical College under Delhi University. Then he returned to Guwahati, Assam and joined in Guwahati medical College, Assam and worked there for few years. Then he left Government service and started his own practice in his clinic Bora children’s clinic. He was very passionate towards literature so he started writing in various health magazines. Gradually his articles became very popular among the people and finally after few years IAP Assam state branch was born. In a short span of time he became the President of IAP Assam State Branch and started promoting breastfeeding among new mothers. He contributed a lot for Indian Pediatrics by organizing Conferences, Seminars and public programs, timely vaccination of babies etc. He has also written 10 popular books in Assamese language. Due to his contribution towards child health, he received Purbanchal Shishuvisesagya Shiromani Award in 2003 which is regarded as one of the most prestigious Awards of Indian Academy of Pediatrics and he became the respected president of IAP East Zone. In 2010 he was honored with Rajiv Gandhi Excellence Award. He was also the recipient of prestigious “Lifetime Achievement Award” in 2015.

This proves that no matter from which condition you belong if you have a strong will determination you will always get success

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