This 42 YO NRI Will Drive Through 28 Countries In 75 Days To Raise Funds For A Hospital

She saw her grandfather die on a hospital bed due to lack of adequate healthcare facility in Navsari. Now, after over three decades, the 42-year-old NRI is determined to bring world-class healthcare facilities to her parental town of Navsari in south Gujarat.

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Bharulata Kamble, a film maker with roots in Navsari, will drive in her car through 28 countries, across two continents, covering 31,000 kilometres in 75 days to raise funds for setting up a tertiary care hospital in Navsari town, estimated to cost Rs 350 crore. She has dual citizenship of UK and Australia.

The trip, which has been nominated as the longest trans-continental ride by a woman with the Guinness Book of World Record, will demonstrate the passion, commitment and determination of a woman to drive from UK to Navsari. According to Bharulata, the message is need for the world-class healthcare services in India, women power and 'save the girl child'.

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"My native area is surrounded by a tribal area, and the access to good healthcare is only a dream. I lost my father in early childhood and at a very young age I had lost my grandfather due to lack of adequate healthcare in the town. I have closely witnessed the sufferings of people from my region. They are required to travel many hours for tertiary health care facilities," Bharulata told TOI from London. She has successfully completed her trial runs for the inter-continental journey.

"My husband is a urologist and robotic surgeon. We have a vast network of doctors in UK and Australia who are willing to render services in Navsari. The people in Navsari will get these expert doctors at their doorsteps," she added.

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Bharulata's journey will begin from Luton, UK, on July 16. She will then cross Europe before heading to New Delhi. From Delhi she will head towards her home town Navsari in the state Gujarat, ultimately driving to Mahad, her husband's native in Maharashtra, where the trip will end.

Indian communities living in the 28 countries have been approached for funds to set up the world-class hospital in Navsari. In many countries, grand reception for Bharulata has been organised, where she will make an appeal for contribution for the hospital project.

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Bharulata has also approached the sons of the soil, including Ratan Tata, Adi Godrej and other businessmen having roots in Navsari, to contribute for the project. A proposal has also been submitted to the state government for the allotment of land in Navsari.

She is a survivor of a major road accident few years ago, which had brought her life to a standstill as she suffered severe post-traumatic disorder. It took more than seven years to build the confidence, Bharulata said.