Imagine stepping into a quiet consultation room in the Himalayan foothills of Dehradun. A gentle, sharp-eyed man in his later years sits across from a young doctor, listening intently as the patient shares a story of struggle with substance use. With a calm nod and a warm, knowing smile, Prof. Rajat Ray says, “Beta, recovery isn’t about perfection—it’s about courage. One day at a time. I’ve seen thousands walk this path. You’re not alone.”

This is the essence of Prof. Rajat Ray—not just an academic heavyweight, but a compassionate healer who has transformed countless lives through science, policy, and genuine human connection.

Early Foundations and Rise at AIIMS

An alumnus of the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, Prof. Ray built his career in psychiatry with a laser focus on addiction. He rose to become Professor and Head of the Department of Psychiatry, and the founding Chief of the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) at AIIMS from 2003 to 2013.

Under his leadership, NDDTC grew into a powerhouse—a WHO Collaborating Centre that became India’s nerve centre for evidence-based treatment of substance use disorders. Colleagues and students remember him as a visionary who bridged clinical care, research, and national policy. One former trainee might recall a late-night mentoring session: “Sir, how do we scale this across India?” Prof. Ray replied with a twinkle, “Start with the patient in front of you. Get that right, and the system will follow. But never forget the data—stories move hearts, numbers change policies.”

Landmark Contributions

Prof. Ray played a pivotal role in establishing opioid substitution therapy (like buprenorphine and methadone) in India, helping shift addiction treatment from moral judgment to medical science. He led or contributed to major national surveys on substance use, trained generations of psychiatrists, and pushed for better integration of de-addiction services into government health facilities.54

His work extended globally: He served as a Member of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) from 2010–2015, representing India on the world stage. He has authored dozens of research papers, training manuals, and guidelines that continue to shape practices across the country.43

In a memorable interaction during a national conference, when a skeptical policymaker asked, “But Professor, isn’t addiction just a lack of willpower?” Prof. Ray responded thoughtfully: “Willpower is important, but so is the brain chemistry we’re fighting. Imagine telling a diabetic to just ‘try harder’ without insulin. We treat the whole person—mind, body, and circumstances.” That blend of empathy and evidence defined his approach.

Life in Dehradun and Lasting Legacy

After superannuating from AIIMS, Prof. Ray moved to Dehradun, where he continues as Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences (SRHU). He remains actively involved in the Addiction Psychiatry Society of India (APSI)—serving as its President—and mentors professionals while contributing to community awareness.4355

In the serene setting of Dehradun, surrounded by the Himalayas, he often shares wisdom with residents and students: “The mountains teach us resilience. Addiction recovery is the same—storms come, but with support, we climb higher than before.”

Prof. Rajat Ray’s life is a testament to quiet, determined impact. He didn’t just treat symptoms; he fought stigma, built institutions, shaped policy, and above all, restored hope to thousands trapped in the cycle of addiction. To his students, patients, and colleagues, he remains the professor who humanized psychiatry—one conversation, one study, one life at a time.

His story reminds us that true expertise isn’t cold data or distant authority—it’s the warmth of understanding combined with the power of knowledge. In the hills of Dehradun, that legacy continues to heal.

He passed away on 10 July 2026 in dehradun