Clocking miles, touching lives

Sheetal

American citizen, Dr Ravi Bansal is the only person of Indian origin, to fly solo around the world in his single-engine plane for cancer awareness. In doing so, he managed to raise Rs. 1.5 crore for Rotary Ambala Cancer and General Hospital in his home town Ambala Cantt. His feat has recently been recognised in the 2020 edition of the Limca Book of Records. 

“It was a tribute to my sister-in-law, Sneh Bansal, who was instrumental in my upbringing but died of cancer in Ambala. That unfortunate incident in my life gave me the mission to create awareness about the disease around the world,” says Ravi Bansal. 

Based in Buffalo, USA, Ravi has published the autobiographical accounts of his solo flight, Cleared Direct Destination, which is the final command given by the air traffic controller (ATC) to the aircraft pilot to approach the airport for landing. Ravi explains, “The reason to take up this title was that even before undertaking the flight my destination was very crisp and clear— to generate awareness and raise funds for the cancer hospital. It will help the readers understand how they can transform their vocational hobby into a living.” 

After graduating from engineering college Allahabad, Ravi shifted to the USA. He did his doctorate in mechanical engineering from Georgia College of Engineering, and during his studies in 1977, he learnt flying and got a pilot’s licence. He says, “Flying was my passion and I used to love making paper planes and would send them flying from the Kasauli hills while standing with my father who was a doctor. I learnt flying but never got the chance to continue with my passion, since I got busy with my business, which otherwise took me to 30 different countries every year. I sold my business and retired to follow my passion.”

An honour to remember 

After 46 days of the exciting solo trip around the world, he returned home on August 20, 2017. The highlight of Ravi’s journey was when he got permission to land in his home town on the air force base (an honour no civilian plane has ever enjoyed) and was received by the fighter pilots and the IAF commander of the station.

The cover of the book, Cleared Direct Destinations, also depicts the story of how his dreams turned into reality, showing his journey from paper planes (front cover) to aeroplanes (back cover).

The Rotary Ambala Cancer and General Hospital is providing free and subsidised service to the cancer patients. With the support of Ravi Bansal and his wife, local Rotarians and philanthropists have started free home service for poor terminally-ill cancer patients, named after his sister-in-law Sneh-Sparsh. The patients are not only provided free medical assistance, but also three months of ration. Donation to the hospital can be made through its website.

  Sheetal.dadhwal@tribunemail.com