The demise of Dr. D. Devadas, popularly known as the 5 Rupee Doctor, has saddened the village of Thiruvanaikoil in Tiruchirappalli district. Devadas, 86, and his son Ashok Kumar, 56, who had been running a clinic in Thiruvanaikoil for decades, died of Kovid. Devdas died on Thursday and his son on Friday.
Dr. Devdas started his career as a pediatrician at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital. He then worked in the Directorate of Medical Education. In the meantime, he started a clinic in Thiruvanaikoil with the aim of serving the poor.
At the beginning of the clinic, Devadas’ fee was two rupees. Dr. Paramasivan, a colleague and friend of Devdas of the Directorate of Medical Education, said that the poor have been treated here for 40 years. ‘He treated people for free. He also helped the patients for marriage and other things, ‘said Paramasivan.
The villagers also have good things to say about Dr. Devadas. He also focused on improving education in the area beyond the clinic. He was a member of the Srirangam Educational Society for 25 years and has been serving as its President since 2014.