Published on: August 3, 2025
By: Dimapur Today News Desk
A Doctor Who Charged ₹2, But Gave the World So Much More
Kerala woke up to heartbreaking news on August 3, 2025 — the passing of Dr. A K Rairu Gopal, the beloved “Two-Rupee Doctor” of Kannur. He was 80 years old, and had spent over five decades healing the poor, the struggling, and the forgotten — often without charging more than ₹2.
He wasn’t just a doctor. He was a symbol of dignity, compassion, and ethical medicine in a world increasingly driven by money.
Early Life: A Promise Made to Serve
Born in 1944 in Manikkavu, Kannur, to Dr. A G Nambiar and A K Lakshmikutty Amma, Gopal was raised in a household where values mattered more than wealth. His father once told him:
“If your aim is to make money, do another job. But if you become a doctor, do it to serve.”
That line became his lifelong compass. Despite financial struggles, Rairu Gopal excelled in studies, walking long distances to school and reading under kerosene lamps. His dream was always to serve his hometown through medicine.
The Clinic That Became a Lifeline
After earning his medical degree, Dr. Gopal opened a modest clinic near the LIC office in Talap, later relocating to his home in Manikkavu, in a house named “Lakshmi.”
His consultation fee? Just ₹2. He raised it slightly to ₹10 in later years — yet often waived the amount for those in need. Starting his day as early as 3 a.m., he treated laborers, students, and elderly citizens without ever judging them by how much they could pay.
He often distributed free medicines, made home visits, and treated an estimated 1.8 million patients in his lifetime. For many, he was not just a doctor — he was a lifeline.
The Final Goodbye
In May 2024, due to worsening health, Dr. Gopal closed his clinic with a handwritten note:
“I thank you all for your love. Due to my health, I cannot continue. Please forgive me.”
On August 3, 2025, he passed away peacefully in Manikkavu. His funeral at Payyambalam was attended by hundreds — including former patients, doctors, and local citizens.
Tributes Pour In
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called him “a people’s doctor in every sense.”
“He didn’t just treat illness; he restored hope and dignity. Kerala has lost a true servant of the people.”
Condolences poured in from all corners of the state. Social media was flooded with stories of healing, gratitude, and memories of the doctor who never said no.
A Legacy That Money Can’t Measure
Dr. Rairu Gopal never built a hospital or chased titles. But his name lives on in the stories of survival and hope. He was a man who proved that real medicine is not about profit — it’s about people.
At a Glance
- Name: Dr. A K Rairu Gopal
- Born: 1944, Manikkavu, Kannur
- Died: August 3, 2025, Manikkavu, Kerala
- Years of Practice: Over 50
- Patients Treated: Estimated 1.8 million
- Fee: ₹2 (later ₹10), often waived
- Clinic: Manikkavu, Kerala
