As a testament to his tireless dedication and extraordinary service, Dr. Budhendranauth Doobay has been honored with the Order of Canada. A retired surgeon, religious leader, and mentor, Dr. Doobay stands as a pillar of the Indo-Canadian community, embodying the values of compassion, service, and excellence.

Born on August 26, 1940, in the village of Welded, Berbice in Guyana, Dr. Doobay’s journey from humble roots. His early education took place in Guyana. Outside of academics, he played cricket and learned Hindi from his father. By the age of thirteen, Dr. Doobay was already conducting Hanuman Pujas in Lusignan.

After completing his pre-university education, Dr. Doobay studied medicine the University of the West Indies in Jamaica. It was here that he founded a Hindu society and conducted weekly satsang, nurturing a sense of community and faith. After graduation, he interned in Jamaica and later worked at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Dr. Doobay then advanced his medical career by earning the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) in London.

Immigrating to Canada posed its challenges, as Dr. Doobay had to redo all his medical exams and specialties. His perseverance paid off when he completed his training in Cardiovascular Surgery and began working at the Hamilton General Hospital. He later became an associate professor in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery.

Dr. Doobay is the founder of the Vishnu Mandir temple and the Gandhi Memorial Peace Garden in Canada. Through these institutions, he shares the tenets of Hinduism and advocates for unity in diversity. His philanthropic spirit extends to his homeland, where he founded the Doobay Medical Centre in Guyana, providing free dialysis to patients in need and promoting preventative care.

In recognition of the Order of Canada, Parbhat Sood, on behalf of the congregation of the Vishnu Mandir, lauded his unwavering commitment to compassion, service, and excellence, stating, “Your achievements reflect the highest ideals of our faith and the boundless potential of human kindness and perseverance.”

In honoring Dr. Budhendranauth Doobay, it is right to not just his individual accomplishments but also the enduring impact of his work in communities both in Canada and Guyana.