On August 7, 1961, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy arrived at the White House to meet President John F. Kennedy on a mission to secure developmental schemes for West Bengal. At the time, President Kennedy was undergoing a routine checkup by his presidential physicians. Upon learning of Dr. Roy's arrival, Kennedy, aware of Dr. Roy's international reputation as a physician, expressed a keen desire to be examined by him instead. Dr. Roy gladly accepted the request, took the stethoscope from the specialist, and immediately pointed out that it was defective. Before a new one could be brought, he began examining the president by placing his ear on his chest. Kennedy was curious about how Dr. Roy had detected the fault in the instrument. With a smile, Dr. Roy suggested that someone should have the instrument checked, and to everyone's surprise, his findings proved correct. Later, President Kennedy mentioned his chronic back pain, and Dr. Roy prescribed treatment for it. After returning to Calcutta, Dr. Roy received a telegram from the President stating that he was already feeling much better after following the treatment. When Kennedy asked what he could do for Dr. Roy, Dr. Roy politely replied that he needed assistance for the development of his state, not personal gain.