Taking Flight: From the Frontlines of the Indian Air Force to the Frontier of Aviation Entrepreneurship.
A Personal Journey for The Missing Link Magazine. From the riverbanks of Majuli to the forefront of aerospace entrepreneurship, one alumnus reflects on how duty, family, and the courage to start over shape a purposeful life.
“The toughest thing in the world is to be an individual.”
A young engineer once stood on the banks of Majuli, the world’s largest river island, supporting troops under the rugged skies of Arunachal Pradesh. There were no easy days, only adventurous missions, the roar of Russian transport aircraft, and the quiet rhythm of serving the nation. Those seasons of intense discipline—from paratrooping operations in Agra during the Kargil war to securing the white sands of the Rann of Kutch—became his first real teachers, long before the boardrooms and business deals.
In the Indian Air Force, demands were high, but curiosity was abundant. The pursuit of excellence turned every posting into a classroom. “If the mind is hungry enough, every challenge becomes a masterclass.” Pushing boundaries without hesitation was not an act of genius, but of steady commitment. That discipline opened doors to mastering Israeli UAVs, executing UN peacekeeping missions, and eventually earning a coveted spot as the first and only engineer selected for India’s equivalent of Air Force One—the Boeing Business Jets (BBJ).
In the VIP fleet, discomfort and pressure became the new classroom. Learning to design the interiors of a presidential aircraft, managing diplomatic intricacies, and innovating a convertible flying ICU were as important as mastering the technical manuals. It was this relentless preparation that allowed him to safely evacuate the then Honourable President of India, Dr. Pranab Mukherjee, in the middle of the night when he suffered a heart attack, at a critical moment.
“Growth demands that we navigate the turbulence, not avoid it.”
From research to reverse-engineering foreign technology, every step demanded humility and hunger. The pinnacle of the journey was the opportunity to serve the Missile Man of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the Supreme Commander of India’s Defence Forces.
His defence service provided an opportunity to command a technical training institute that made history by training several foreign students, and whose dedication ultimately won the Prime Minister’s Award for the best technical training institution in the country. His professionalism ensured he walked the corridors of Rashtrapati Bhavan, the White House, and the Pentagon.
However, life is rarely a straight flight. It brought another realization: sometimes, the universe forces you to start over. A severe tragedy struck, leaving the family mentally, physically, and financially exhausted. It took years to realize the full extent of their situation, facing complete bankruptcy. Yet, they learned that true resilience begins in our lowest moments. It was time to leave the comfort of the uniform and return to the civilian society he served. For most people, the sky is the limit, but for him, it was just the beginning of an entrepreneurial journey.
Entering the civilian world in 2020, a new perspective took shape:
“Entrepreneurship is not just a venture; it is a vehicle to serve.”
It’s not about taking the safest route. Despite lucrative offers to relocate to the US or Europe with aviation giants like Boeing and Airbus, the decision was made to build something from scratch. Along this road, one partnership mattered most—the unwavering belief of his wife. Having adapted to endless relocations and the chaotic life of a defence family, she enthusiastically embraced the risky dream of entrepreneurship, celebrating the decision to start over with their two children. Together, they built a business aviation company that turned resilience into action, launching a private business travel company with helicopter and business jet charter services. The initial medevac and air ambulance service that quickly saved seven lives and supported the Kerala flood relief operations instantly offered profound satisfaction and peace.
The story didn’t stop with charter flights. It expanded to include mentoring the next generation through drone academies, converting an abandoned World War II runway into a global flying training organization, and working towards building a full-fledged aircraft manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu.
To the next generation of Karunya graduates: The journey from any starting point to any vision is possible. What matters is not the turbulence you face, but how long you keep flying. Bankruptcies and tragedies are not detours; they are the runway itself.
Stay passionate. Stay dedicated. Keep building—not for recognition, but to save lives and create meaning.
“Flow through life as the river flows.” Carve your own path. Keep learning. The rest will follow.