Dr. A.K. Rairu Gopal. File
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Dr. A.K. Rairu Gopal, fondly known as Kannur’s “two-rupee doctor” for his selfless service to the poor and working class, passed away on Saturday (August 2, 2025) due to age-related illness. His funeral will be held on Sunday (August 3, 2025) afternoon at Payyambalam.
For over 50 years, Dr. Gopal stood as a beacon of hope for the common people, charging just ₹2 for a consultation and often providing free medicine to those in financial distress. From 4 a.m. to 4 p.m., later adjusted to 6 a.m to 4 p.m, he examined patients tirelessly, driven by an unwavering sense of duty. At the peak of his practice, he attended to over 300 patients a day.
Initially operating from a house near the LIC office in Talap for 35 years, he later shifted his clinic to his family residence, ‘Lakshmi’ near Manikkavu. People of all ages — children to the elderly — flocked to him for treatment. His compassionate approach and humble lifestyle earned him unmatched reverence in the community.
Son of renowned physician and philanthropist Dr. A.G. Nambiar and A.K. Laksmikuttyamma, Dr. Rairu Gopal upheld his father’s principles. Dr. Nambiar had once told his sons — Rairu Gopal, Venugopal, Krishnagopla and Rajagopal- that if he wished to make money, they should pick up a pickaxe and break into a bank, not misuse the noble profession of medicine.
Dr. Gopal’s household reflected this ethos. His day began at 2.15 a.m. with chores in the cowshed, followed by bathing, prayer and reading the newspaper at 5.30 a.m. There were some people, who got regularly milk from his cowshed.
By 6.30 a.m. patients began arriving greeted by a doctor who valued their time and dignity.
He deliberately avoided ties with pharmaceutical companies, prescribing only affordable medicines. Uninterested in gifts, commissions or luxury travel, Dr. Gopal remained untouched by the commercialisation of modern medicine. Knowing his stance, company representative never approached his door.
“People came to him not just for medicine, but for love,” said B. Vivek (58), local resident, who was close to him and family.
“He was the one whom I consulted for any disease for the past 50 years. Just meeting him was enough to cure the disease,” he recalled. He would never give medicine unnecessarily. After removing the medicine from the cover, he would keep them in the box. This was to ensure that the patients does not self medication, which could have done more harm than good, Mr. Vivek said and added that he is great loss to people and the society.
At a time when consultations cost hundreds and medicines even more, Dr. Rairu remained an outlier. His patients came from far and wide, bypassing corporate hospitals and specialists, because only he could offer the comfort they sought — not just medical but emotional and moral.
Even after seeing over 18 lakh patients, he remained grounded.
For decades he examined patients even when his own health began to fail. His wife Dr. P.O Shankuntala and son, Dr. Balagopal, stood beside him during his early years of practice. Daughter Vidya, daughter-in-law Dr. Thushara Balagopal and family members Bharat Mohan, Dr. Venugal and Dr. Rajagopal survive him.
In his condolence message, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described Dr. Rairu Gopal “as the people’s doctor,” noting that his readiness to serve for such a nominal fee was a source of immense relief for poor patients.
“For half a century, he charged only two rupees for consultations, making healthcare accessible to all. His willingness to serve was a great comfort to countless patients,” the Chief Minister said.
Published – August 03, 2025 12:20 pm IST
