Dr. Ratan Chandra Kar: The Journey of the Jarawa Doctor.

A distinguished physician Dr. Ratan Chandra Kar, born in 1954 in West Bengal, India, is known for his pivotal role in providing healthcare to the Jarawa tribe of the Andaman Islands. He began his service toward the Jarawa tribes in 1998, notably combating a devastating measles outbreak in 1999 that threatened the tribe's existence. Overcoming initial distrust, Dr. Kar earned the tribe's confidence through cultural respect and medical expertise, treating over a hundred patients at the peak of the epidemic. He had established a dedicated Jarawa Ward at Kadamtala Hospital, integrating their traditional practices with modern medicine. For his dedication, Dr. Kar received the Padma Shri in 2023, for contributing significantly to the tribe's growth from 255 to 260 individuals in 1998 to over 560 today. His work stands as a testament to the importance of culturally sensitive healthcare in preserving vulnerable indigenous communities.