Not just a flying fancy!

Mona

As a six-year-old, Ravi used to love flying paper planes. It was immense fun considering his school was atop a hill in Kasauli. It was then, he dreamt of flying a plane. That he surely did once he moved to the US and joined the student flying club of his school. As luck would have it, his successful entrepreneurial venture earned him his own plane – a Cessna 400.

Sixty-eight-years now, he is halfway through a solo around-the-world trip on his single engine aircraft. Once completed, this will earn him the tag of being the first Indian to do such a feat and also will bring help, monetary and otherwise, for Rotary Cancer and General Hospital in Ambala Cantt.

In Chandigarh, on Monday, Ambala-born Ravi Bansal wears his stripes and badge and carries his pilot certification with pride. After all these earn him access through pilots’ channel. Starting from Buffalo, USA on July 4, he has flown 17,144 km stopping over Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, England, France, Italy, Greece, Jordan, UAE, Oman and then Ahmedabad followed by Ambala Cantt. 

His family that once viewed his adventure with apprehension has started to get comfortable with the idea. In fact, it is in a way a tribute to his family. “I was raised by my bhabhi (sister-in- law) and we lost her to breast cancer. We in the family believe that had the disease been detected early, she would have survived,” opens up Ravi. In fact, with this long-haul flight he aims to raise Rs 5 crore to buy an MRI machine for the Rotary hospital that’s doing remarkable work in area of cancer prevention, treatment and after care. He has already raised Rs 1 crore so far and the breakfast in Chandigarh raises another Rs 40,000 right from India and a promise from Nalini Kant Gupta to match every rupee that’s collected here. Also, his agenda to raise awareness is already taking roots. “Breast cancer can be detected simply by self examination. Wish there was more awareness,” says Ravi, who inspired grandchildren of his friend to make a quick presentation on cancer. They now aim to share it in school and raise money. And, just getting the machine is not the last stop for Ravi. “This hospital that’s doing commendable work needs continued support. I am hoping my solo flight around the world takes the message around and people not just come forward to help us, but also initiate such programmes of their own.”

Ravi’s family, after the initial hiccups, has been providing solid support to his cause. Dr Pratibha Bansal, his wife, flew in specially from the US to receive him in Ambala and has been closely involved with the cause. She has set up Sneh Care, palliative care in the Rotary Hospital, since pain management is her speciality. 

This journey is also being charted on social media, but more than likes, Ravi Bansal is targeting cheques and a commitment to spread the awareness and be of help, just like his fellow Rotarians have been doing around the world!

mona@tribunemail.com