From battling cancer to championing early detection, the serial entrepreneur and Rotary leader turns his remarkable survival story into a humanitarian mission. His book ‘THE SCAR’, dedicated to renowned cancer surgeon Dr. Sultan A. Pradhan, sells out within 15 minutes of launch.
Mumbai: Cancer threatened his life twice. Both times, he fought back. But for Mumbai-based serial entrepreneur, educationist and philanthropist Dr. Ranjit Bijoor, surviving the disease was only the beginning. Today, he has set himself a far greater mission: to transform his personal ordeal into a movement of hope, inspire thousands of people confronting life’s toughest battles and support cancer screening for women who might otherwise miss the opportunity for early detection.
His second book, THE SCAR, was launched at a glittering Rotary function attended by over 300 distinguished Rotarians from across Rotary International District 3141. The occasion witnessed an extraordinary response, with every available copy selling out within just 15 minutes.
The book was unveiled in the presence of District Governor Elect Deepak Jiandani, Incoming First Lady Ujwala Jiandani, Past Rotary International Director Raju Subramaniam, District Learning Facilitator Chetan Desai, and Past District Governors Harjit Singh and Jayant Kulkarni.
Yet, the most unforgettable moment of the evening came when Bijoor began speaking about his encounters with cancer. As he recounted the frightening diagnoses, the uncertainty of survival and the emotional struggles that followed, the atmosphere turned deeply poignant. Several Rotarians were visibly teary-eyed as they listened to a man who had faced death twice and emerged with an extraordinary determination to make his second chance at life count.
A Surgeon, a Survivor and a Remarkable Tribute
At the centre of this deeply personal story stands Dr. Sultan A. Pradhan, the renowned cancer surgeon who operated on Bijoor and played a pivotal role in his journey of survival.
In a moving expression of gratitude, Bijoor has dedicated THE SCAR entirely to Dr. Pradhan, who has also written the book’s foreword. The dedication reflects a bond that extends beyond the conventional doctor-patient relationship — one built on trust, courage and the gift of another opportunity to live.
For Bijoor, honouring Dr. Sultan A. Pradhan is also a tribute to the countless doctors whose commitment and expertise give cancer patients and their families renewed hope every day.
Turning Life’s Deepest Wounds Into Gold
Inspired by the Japanese philosophy of Kintsugi, where broken pottery is restored with gold rather than having its cracks concealed, THE SCAR explores the extraordinary strength that can emerge from human suffering.
Built around the theme One Life. Two Cancers. Three Life-Changing Lessons, the book is not simply about overcoming illness. It is about rediscovering the value of relationships, appreciating the ordinary moments we often take for granted and finding a greater purpose in life after confronting mortality.
A Rotary Spirit of Service Above Self
Founder of British Learning, an international education organisation established in 1999, Bijoor has spent decades building educational ventures while serving Rotary in several leadership capacities. His latest initiative reflects Rotary’s enduring philosophy of Service Above Self, transforming personal adversity into an opportunity for meaningful community impact.
THE SCAR carries three powerful humanitarian objectives. First, the book aims to inspire thousands of readers with a message of courage, resilience and hope. Second, the net proceeds from its sale are dedicated to cancer screening for women at the Head & Neck Cancer Institute, supporting a mission to extend the benefits of early detection to more women. Third, the book can be sponsored and gifted to hospitals, oncology clinics and cancer-care centres, offering emotional strength to patients and survivors during some of the most challenging moments of their lives.
Priced at ₹800, the book is intended to become much more than a literary initiative. Bijoor hopes to build a wider movement of awareness, compassion and preventive cancer screening, ultimately reaching thousands of women and families.
Having experienced firsthand the importance of timely medical intervention under the care of Dr. Sultan A. Pradhan, Bijoor understands how profoundly a diagnosis and the treatment that follows can alter a family’s future.
For a man who has spent much of his professional life creating businesses and opportunities, this new chapter represents an equally ambitious undertaking — one measured not in commercial success, but in women screened, patients encouraged and lives touched.
Dr. Ranjit Bijoor has already won two battles against cancer. His next mission is far bigger: to ensure that his survival becomes a source of hope for thousands of others.
In the true spirit of Rotary, he is turning a personal triumph into a commitment to humanity — proving that sometimes the greatest purpose of a life saved is the opportunity to serve another.