In memory Documented October 2020
Dr. Bhampa Rai
Dr. Bhampa Rai was a Bhutanese surgeon and human rights activist who dedicated his life to the welfare of Bhutanese refugees in Nepal. Leaving his prestigious position as the royal surgeon, he chose to stand with the expelled Nepali-speaking Bhutanese community, providing medical care and advocating for their repatriation.
The story
The long-form archive record, preserved from the information currently held by Katha Hijo Ko.
Born in 1950 in Bara block, Samchi district, Bhutan, Dr. Bhampa Rai pursued medical studies, earning his MBBS from Guwahati University and FRCS from Dhaka. He served as a surgeon at Thimphu General Hospital and as a consultant to the Bhutanese monarch. In 1990, amidst the expulsion of Nepali-speaking Bhutanese, he voluntarily left his position to support the refugees. Settling in Damak, Nepal, he provided free medical services and became a leading advocate for their repatriation. His unwavering commitment spanned over three decades until his passing in 2022.