Dr. Ratan Chandra Kar is a remarkable Indian physician credited with saving the Jarawa tribe of the Andaman Islands from near extinction. Born in 1954 in West Bengal, Dr. Kar earned his medical degree from Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College, Kolkata. In 1998, he began working with the Jarawas, an indigenous tribe that had shunned contact with outsiders for centuries. In 1999, the tribe faced a devastating measles outbreak that threatened their survival, infecting over 100 members and risking extinction for the already small population of around 255 individuals.
Dr. Kar accepted the daunting challenge of living among the Jarawas and providing medical care despite their initial distrust and hostility. Over months, he earned their trust by respecting their culture and learning their language, while offering both traditional and modern medical treatments. Amidst great personal risk, he treated dozens daily, often transporting critically ill patients through difficult jungle terrain for hospital care. Dr. Kar also established a special Jarawa Ward designed to resemble their natural habitat, making the hospital environment less intimidating.
Thanks to his dedication, the Jarawa population has more than doubled today to over 560. For his extraordinary service, Dr. Kar was awarded the Padma Shri in 2023. His work demonstrates the power of compassionate, culturally sensitive healthcare in preserving vulnerable indigenous communities.
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