Born in 1944 in Lovadih village of Ghazipur District of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar’s well-known doctor, Dr Abhay Narain Rai, completed his primary education at a village government school. After passing his Matric Examination from a reputed High School in Ghazipur, Abhay Narain Rai passed ISC from Queens College, Varanasi.
Later, he did his MBBS from IMS, Banaras Hindu Vishwavidyalaya and after that, he did his MD in Medicine. All through his academic journey, Dr Abhay Narain Rai was termed a bright student. He eventually went to the UK to pursue higher education. He obtained the coveted MRCP and FRCP degrees from the UK.
In 1976, Dr Rai started working as an Associate Professor at Anugrah Narayan Memorial Medical College. He was elevated to Assistant Professor in 1978. With the backing of his exceptional and devoted work and outstanding educational background, he became a professor in 1982. He worked as a Professor until 2001. After a distinguishing service spanning many decades, he retired as Principal of Anugrah Narayan Memorial Medical College in 2002.
His students and colleagues say that even after so many years of his retirement, his body of work in various capacities remains relevant and reference-worthy.
Dr Rai is the Chairman of Abhay Institute of Medical Sciences, which is equivalent to AIIMS Super Speciality Hospital of Gaya. He also is the Head of the Medicine Department at Abhay Institute of Medical Sciences. Dr Rai is a lifetime member of many medical associations such as IMA, IMAAMS, API, CSI, ICC, HSI, and Red Cross Gaya. Apart from being part of the above prestigious organisations, he has been the president of the Gaya Branch of the Indian Medical Association, Chairman of API Magadh Division, and API Bihar Chapter, President of CSI Bihar Chapter, President of HSI India, Vice Dean of ICP India, and President of CCDSI. Dr. Rai is currently the President of Indian Medical Association, Bihar.
The medical community believes that Dr Rai is passionate and committed to social service and his commendable contributions in association with Rotary International demonstrate his commitment and devotion to the society and the noble profession itself. He has delivered exemplary work as the President and Assistant Governor at Rotary City in Gaya.
As Chairman of Gaya’s famous RK Memorial API Charitable Trust, Dr Rai shared that the Trust was established to provide specialised treatment to the poor and needy. Dr Rai’s wife, Leela Rai, admitted that her husband has established J.B. Rai Memorial Trust and a College has been established in Lovadih, Ghazipur, with Dr Rai as Chairman. The objective of the College is to provide higher education to poor students from villages.
Dr Rai’s daughter, Jaya Kishor, and son-in-law, Sanjay Kishor, who served as I.G in R.P.F, says that Dr Rai is a talented and respected doctor, who has not only earned a name and reputation in the medical world but also established a college in his village, Lovadih, to provide excellent education to the village children. A novel way of repayment to the society.
The Director, Sleep Lab, Saint Louis, the famous neurologist, Dr Ajitesh Rai, said on the phone that his father’s achievements are unparallel and his success in medical science, education, and social service are commendable and unparallel.
Among the many recognitions and awards Dr Abhay Narayan Rai has earned in his long and rewarding career, he has recently received the Dr A.K.N. Sinha Rashtriya Samman 2023 Award from the Indian Medical Association, Bihar State. Dr Rai received “IMA Dr V. Parameshvara Award for Lifetime Achievement in Medicine and Commitment to the Art of Medicine for Outstanding and Distinguished Services” in December 2022 in Prayagraj.
Dr Rai has also been honoured with the Certificate of Excellence for Best Visionary Leader Award (Medicine) by Jagran Health Excellence Award 2018 for his outstanding contribution to the health sector in Bihar.
