Chennai, Dec 21 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K.Palaniswami on Friday condoled the death of S. Jayachandran, popularly known as the 'five rupees doctor'.

In a tweet Modi said: "Chennai-based Dr S Jayachandran is a hero. His was a life purely for the betterment of others."

The poor man's doctor, 71-year-old Jayachandran died on Wednesday. He had charged his patients Rs 2 since 1971 and later revised it to Rs 5 in 1998 as his consultation fee.

Palaniswami said Jayachandran wanted to be a doctor from his childhood to serve the poor.

For over 40 years Jayachandran gave good treatment to the poor patients, Palaniswami said.

--IANS vj/prs