Himachal super-specialist doctor MLA opens OPD in middle of wedding to examine patients, sets example of true public service

Neurosurgeon Dr Janak Raj is a first-time BJP legislator from Bharmour

TNR News Network
Bharmour:
In a rare but inspiring incident from Himachal Pradesh, BJP MLA Dr Janak Raj from Bharmour in Chamba district set a unique example of selfless public service.

Attending a wedding in the remote Turganda village, dressed in ceremonial attire, he was approached by locals requesting medical advice. Instead of deflecting them, Dr Janak Raj turned a room at the wedding venue into a makeshift outpatient clinic, examining patients without hesitation, even without medical tools.

From celebration to consultation: Wedding that became an OPD

As the wedding celebrations echoed with music and joy, a woman approached the MLA with a medical request. Despite wearing a wedding turban and having no instruments on hand, Dr Janak Raj used his mobile phone flashlight to check her pulse and assessed another child’s heartbeat by placing his ear to her back.

One patient turned into many and soon the wedding saw an impromptu OPD session where locals queued up for medical help amidst band-baaja and dhols.

Dr Janak Raj’s rare blend of medicine, politics

Dr Janak Raj is not a typical legislator but a gold medallist in neurosurgery from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi. He also holds an MS in general surgery. He comes from a modest tribal background and rose through sheer determination, earning a reputation as a compassionate doctor long before he entered politics. During election campaigns, it’s common for him to spend half his day treating patients while canvassing.

Even now, constituents regularly approach him for consultation — be it minor ailments or serious neurological concerns. For complex cases, he connects patients to top specialists across the country, using his vast network in the medical community.

Dr Janak Raj believes public service shouldn’t mean leaving behind the profession that helped shape him. He sees politics as an extension of his duty as a doctor, especially in his underserved tribal region. “I know the pain of living without medical access. That’s why I’m here — to serve, whether it’s in the Assembly or a village courtyard,” he says.

With two research books to his name and multiple national and international medical conferences under his belt, Dr Janak Raj brings rare academic and humanitarian depth to his role. Among a handful of doctor-politicians in Himachal Pradesh, he stands out not just for his qualifications but for his quiet and consistent commitment to the people — even in the middle of a wedding.