Dr. Bhampa Rai was born to father Aita Raj Rai and Mother Sun Maya Rai in Bara block, Samchi, Bhutan on February 1, 1950. He was the elder of two sons. Dr. Rai earned his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree from Guwahati University in Assam. He subsequently pursued advanced medical training in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where he was awarded the Fellowship of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons (FRCS), a prestigious professional qualification conferred upon practicing surgeons. After completing his education in 1976, Dr. Rai commenced his professional career as a surgeon at the Thimphu General Hospital. In addition to his regular job, he held the esteemed position of a Royal Surgeon, providing medical care to members of the Royal Family of Bhutan. Renowned for his dedication, work ethic, and professional competence, he earned great professional success and recognition within the medical community. Dr. Rai continued his service in the government of Bhutan until he left the country in 1990.
Dr. Bhampa Rai was born to father Aita Raj Rai and Mother Sun Maya Rai in Bara block, Samchi, Bhutan on February 1, 1950. He was the elder of two sons. Dr. Rai earned his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree from Guwahati University in Assam. He subsequently pursued advanced medical training in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where he was awarded the Fellowship of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons (FRCS), a prestigious professional qualification conferred upon practicing surgeons. After completing his education in 1976, Dr. Rai commenced his professional career as a surgeon at the Thimphu General Hospital. In addition to his regular job, he held the esteemed position of a Royal Surgeon, providing medical care to members of the Royal Family of Bhutan. Renowned for his dedication, work ethic, and professional competence, he earned great professional success and recognition within the medical community. Dr. Rai continued his service in the government of Bhutan until he left the country in 1990. Dr. Rai could have chosen to remain in Bhutan and pursue a career as a private medical professional. However, he made a markedly different choice. He was one of the high profile personalities who resigned from his position and aligned himself with fellow citizens who were fighting for justice, human rights, and democracy in Bhutan. What is significant was that his resignation came during a time when state sponsored violence, political repression and systematic persecution of the Nepali speaking population in southern Bhutan was escalating. In exile, Dr. Rai emerged as one of the leading figures actively lobbying the government of Nepal and various international agencies in Kathmandu to seek support and rehabilitation of the displaced Bhutanese population. At that time, the situation of the newly arrived refugees at the banks of Kankai river in Maidhar was extremely precarious. The camp was managed by a handful of student volunteers, functioning without a formal organizational structure or external aid. Dr. Rai’s arrival at this critical juncture provided a major stimulus. Exhibiting remarkable leadership and organizational acumen, he established committees, mobilized volunteers, engaged local supporters, and took charge of the overall management and coordination of relief efforts. One of his most noteworthy contributions to the Bhutanese refugee camps was the introduction of an innovative sanitation feature—the juthelna—a strategically placed mud pit used for washing kitchenware, visible in front of every hut. This simple yet effective design was his innovation. It helped maintain cleanliness and hygiene throughout the camps and played a significant role in preventing the outbreak of communicable diseases. The result—the Bhutanese refugee camps came to be recognized internationally as among the cleanest and most well- managed refugee settlements in the world. Dr. Bhampa Rai dedicated over three decades of his life to serving the people—both as a medical professional and as their advocate. He was the ‘go to person’ for medical emergencies, especially for people who lived in the lower tier of society. As a physician, he frequently waived consultation fees, provided free medication and on many occasions, even offered transportation money to patients in financial distress. In Damak, where Dr. Rai lived and practiced his profession, he treated most rickshaw pullers free of cost. In return, they refused to accept payment from him whenever he used their services. The relationship was reciprocal. Though his patients may not possess medical credentials to make their opinions count, the transformative impact of his healing and their lived experiences provide a compelling testimony to Dr.Rai’s clinical acumen and compassionate care. As a medical doctor, he touched many lives and saved many. Dr. Rai was known for his cheerful demeanor and a perceptive sense of humor, often laced with subtle sarcasm. Beneath his jovial personality lay a spirit of kindness and simplicity that endeared him to many. He visited his village as often as he could even when he was in government service. Taking advantage of his visits, the villagers gathered in large numbers, seeking medical attention. He listened attentively, assessed their health concerns, offered free consultation, counselling and even provided prescriptions. No one left without feeling unheard or unhappy. When time allowed, he would join villagers and local school teachers for a game of volleyball on the school grounds—a testament to his athleticism and love for sports. His presence in the village was more than that of a physician—he was their friend, a community figure, and a hope of reassurance. Dr. Bhampa Rai passed away peacefully on June 18, 2022, while undergoing treatment at the Nobel Medical College Hospital in Biratnagar, Nepal. He was 72 years old. His beloved wife, the late Urmila Pradhan Rai, predeceased him by two years. Dr. Rai’s untimely demise marked the loss of a deeply respected figure, leaving an irreparable void within the Bhutanese diasporic community. He is survived by his youngest brother, Bal Raj Rai—thirteen years his junior—who is currently resettled in Columbus, Ohio, USA. His two surviving sisters, among five, currently live in Bhutan.