In his last assignment before retiring prematurely, Ray was the General Officer Commanding the newly raised XIV Corps in Ladakh, wherein he redefined the role of the armed forces in the 21st century as war prevention.
For distinguished command of his battalion and brigade, he was awarded the Commendation Card of the Chief of the Army Staff and the Vishisht Seva Medal, respectively.
Immediately after graduating from the National Defence College, he served as the Brigadier General Staff in 15 Corps in the Kashmir Valley.
This was an excellent opportunity to be part of a team that was evolving war doctrine for the 21st century, including strategies and structures for higher defence organizations.
They have a daughter Sonali, who heads an early learning centre in Bangalore; and a son, Abhimanyu, a renowned casting director in Mumbai.
Soon after taking over the Corps, the General decided on winning over alienated communities, and thus forestalling insurgency from spilling over into Ladakh from the rest of Jammu and Kashmir.
He emphasized primary education, health care up to the tertiary level, women's empowerment, community development and information technology for peace.
He even succeeded in obtaining VSAT terminals to provide Internet connectivity in schools located in remote mountainous areas above heights of 10,000 feet.
For his contribution to nation-building and command of troops in Ladakh, he was honoured with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, the highest award in the military for distinguished service.