India’s Unsung Hero: The Doctor Who Waives His Fee Whenever a Daughter Is Born
In every free delivery, in every waiver of fees, in every smile he offers to a nervous parent, Dr. Ganesh Rakh is planting seeds of hope.
In the Indian city of Pune, an inspiring story unfolds daily—one that reaffirms faith in humanity. It begins with the cries of newborns, but what follows transcends the moment of birth. It is a powerful testament to compassion, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to protecting the dignity and future of the girl child.
A Father’s Fear, A Doctor’s Grace
One such story captures the heart of Dr. Ganesh Rakh’s mission. A daily wage worker admitted his wife to the hospital, anxiously awaiting the delivery of their child. When complications required a caesarean section, his heart sank. He did not know how much the fee would be. The thought of borrowing money or mortgaging his small home loomed large in his mind.
After the surgery, with trembling lips, he asked the doctor, “Doctor, what child is it?”
“You have been blessed with an angel, a baby girl,” replied Dr. Rakh.
“And the fee?” asked the father hesitantly.
The doctor smiled and said, “When angels are born, I don’t charge any fee.”
The man collapsed at his feet, whispering, “Sir, you are God.”
For Dr. Ganesh Rakh, such moments are not rare. For the last decade, he has chosen to waive every single paisa of his fee whenever a girl child is born in his hospital.
A Mission Born of Conviction
So far, Dr. Rakh has delivered more than 1,000 baby girls free of cost. His work is not about charity alone, it is a mission rooted in the fight against one of India’s deepest social prejudices: gender bias. In many parts of the country, the birth of a girl is still met with silence, disappointment, or even grief. Families worry about dowry, financial strain, and “carrying the burden” of raising a daughter.
Dr. Rakh wanted to change that narrative. “I always wanted to be a wrestler,” he admits. “But my mother said, ‘Become a doctor and protect these angel girls.’ And that is what I chose to do.”
Beyond the Delivery Room
His gesture is far more than waiving hospital charges. It is symbolic. It tells every parent who walks into his hospital that the life of their daughter is precious, celebrated, and free of stigma. In a society where female infanticide and neglect of girls still cast long shadows, his act of kindness is a loud and clear message: daughters are blessings, not burdens.
Dr. Rakh’s initiative has inspired other doctors and hospitals across India to rethink their own approach. By attaching dignity, pride, and celebration to the birth of a girl, he is slowly shifting social attitudes one delivery at a time.
The world has begun to notice his work. The BBC in London published a feature on him under the title “Unsung Indian”, calling him a rare figure who blends professional excellence with moral courage. His work has also been lauded by social reformers and women’s rights advocates across the globe.
A Blessing for the Future
In every free delivery, in every waiver of fees, in every smile he offers to a nervous parent, Dr. Ganesh Rakh is planting seeds of hope. He is protecting angels—India’s daughters—ensuring they enter this world with dignity and joy.
As the grateful father said that day in Pune, “Sir, you are divine.” To many, Dr. Rakh may not wear a halo, but his deeds shine brighter than one.
