Chandreshwar Prasad Thakur (born 3 September 1931). also known as C. P. Thakur, is an Indian physician and politician. He is former member of Rajya Sabha, a former minister in the Government of India, and a leader of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He was a cabinet minister from 1999 to 2004 in the BJP government. He is known for his contribution in finding medication for Kala-azar. He proposed the development of AIIMS hospital Patna in central government and got it approved. One Crossing (Chowk) near AIIMS hospital, Patna has been named "Dr C P Thakur Chowk" in honour of his contribution to Bihar and its people.

Early life

Thakur was born on 3 September 1931 in Dubaha village of Muzaffarpur district in Bihar to Radhamohan Thakur and Sharda Thakur. He is a physician and had received the degrees of M.B.B.S., M.D., M.R.C.P., F.R.C.P. from Patna Medical College, Patna University, Royal College of Physicians, London and Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh and Royal College of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, London. Thakur married Uma Thakur on 12 June 1957, with whom he has two sons and two daughters. Politician Vivek Thakur is his son.

Career

As a physician, Thakur did extensive research for the treatment of Kala-azar. In 2017, he became the first Indian medical scientist to receive a lifetime achievement award from the World Health Organization. He was elected to Lok Sabha from Patna constituency in 1984.

Positions held

He has held the following government positions:

Books published

He has also published more than 100 research papers in medical journals and more than 200 articles in the press.

Awards