Rai people
The Rai people are indigenous ethnolinguistic groups of the Indian subcontinent, what is now modern-day Nepal and present-day India, mainly in the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal. They were Rai meaning king. The Rai people are the descendant of the ancient Kirata Kingdom.Notable Rai people
- Agansing Rai, recipient of 13th Victoria Cross
- Amar Singh Rai Indian Politician from Darjeeling
- Ashok Rai, Nepali politician and Senior leader of Socialist Party
- Asit Rai, writer and novelist
- Bal Bahadur Rai, senior cabinet minister, acted as Prime Minister; senior leader of Nepali Congress Party
- Byakul Maila, lyricist of current Nepalese National Anthem, Sayaun Thunga Phulka
- Chandra Das Rai, Pro democracy leader from Sikkim and Journalist
- Dayahang Rai, actor, director, play writer and founder of 'Mandala Theatre'
- Deo Prakash Rai Indian Politician.
- Dil Maya Rai, National Assembly of Bhutan
- Jai Bir Rai, National Assembly of Bhutan
- Hari Prasad Gorkha Rai, writer
- Indra Bahadur Rai, writer and literary critic
- Jitu Rai, Indian shooter
- Lain Singh Bangdel, former Chancellor of the Royal Nepal Academy
- Lalit Rai, Indian Kargil War
- Mira Rai, athlete and trail runner
- Narad Muni Thulung, senior cabinet minister, acted as Prime Minister of Nepal
- Pawan Kumar Chamling, fifth chief minister of the Indian state of Sikkim, founder of the Sikkim Democratic Front party
- Prem Das Rai, Indian politician from Sikkim
- Rajan Mukarung, writer and activist
- Rajesh Payal Rai, singer and music composer
- Ram Prasad Rai, revolutionary fighter against Rana autocracy
- Sabin Rai, pop singer from Dharan
- Santa Bahadur Rai, Secretary & Chairman Public Service Commission
- Sarita Rai, Indian Politician from West Bengal
- Sher Dhan Rai, Chief Minister, province no 1
- Shiba Kumar Rai, scientist, Professor of medical microbiology and ex-member of National Planning Commission of the government of Nepal
- Shiva Kumar Rai, Nepali writer and Indian politician from Darjeeling
- Shrawan Mukarung, poet
- Suk Bahadur Rai, awarded Aung San Thuriya in 1950
- Tarundeep Rai, Indian Olympiad archer
- Tek Bahadur Rai, politician from Bhutan, Member of the National Assembly of Bhutan
- Wilson Bikram Rai, comedian, actor
