A 77-year-old doctor from Jabalpur district in Madhya Pradesh, Dr MC Dawar, has been conferred the Padma Shri honour by the Government of India on the 74th Republic Day.

He has been providing health care services to people in Jabalpur since 1972 at a very nominal charge. He started treating people for a mere Rs 2 and currently he charges just Rs 20 as his consultation fee. He also served in the Indian Army during the India-Pakostan war in 1971 for around a year.

Dr Dawar was born on January 16, 1946 in West Punjab, now in Pakistan and shifted to India after Pakistan. In 1967, he completed his MBBS from Jabalpur.

On being conferred with Padma Shri, Dr Dawar told news agency ANI, “Hard work pays off sometimes, even if it is delayed. It is a result of that and it is the blessings of the people that I have received this award.”

Talking about his life experiences he said, “There was definitely a discussion in the house about charging such a low fee, but there was no dispute about it. Our only aim was to serve the people, so that is why the fees were not increased.”

Dr Dawar’s son Rishi said, “We used to think that awards are given only because of political reach, but the way the government is finding and honouring the people working on the ground, it is a very good thing and our father has received this award.”

“It is a matter of great pride for us, for our family and for our city,” said Suchita, daughter-in-law of Dr Dawar.