Cuttack, Jun 3: Fate dealt him a devastating blow when he slipped from a moving train and lost both his legs in a horrific accident. Doctors gave him little chance of survival. Yet, through divine grace, the unwavering support of friends and family, and an extraordinary fight for life, Ravi Narayan Das, fondly known as Buba Bhai, defeated death.
The journey back to life was anything but easy. During nearly two years of treatment, Ravi required 34 units of blood and 17 units of plasma. Every unit was arranged through the efforts of friends, relatives and well-wishers. Though he survived, the accident permanently took away both his legs.
Today, however, the 33-year-old resident of Kaibalya Vihar in Choudwar-Cuttack is known not for his disability but for his selfless service to humanity. Popularly called “Buba Bhai,” he has emerged as a beacon of hope for thousands of patients in need of blood.
For Ravi, blood donation is not merely a noble act-it is a life mission. Despite being physically challenged, he has donated blood 33 times in the last five years. More importantly, he has helped arrange blood for nearly 5,000 patients and their families, many of whom arrive at SCB Medical College and Hospital in desperate search of donors.
Born to Dukhisyam Das and Renubala Das, Ravi's early life was marked by struggles and poor choices. He left his studies midway and spent his youth doing odd jobs, including working at a relative’s shop and assisting with vehicle-related work. The money he earned rarely found a meaningful purpose, leaving his family worried about his future.
Then came the turning point.
In 2019, while travelling on a train to Berhampur, Ravi accidentally fell and suffered catastrophic injuries that led to the amputation of both legs. From 2019 to 2021, he remained under intensive medical care. The chances of survival were slim, and his treatment depended heavily on blood transfusions and plasma support arranged by friends and relatives.
The experience transformed him completely.
Having personally witnessed how crucial blood can be in saving a life, Ravi decided to dedicate his second chance at life to helping others. What emerged from that tragedy was a man driven by compassion and service.
Even today, Ravi continues to battle life's challenges. To support himself, he runs a small roadside shop selling eggs and milk. Yet, financial hardship and physical limitations have never stopped him from serving others. Every three months he donates blood, and almost every day he rides his scooter to SCB Medical College, checking if anyone requires urgent assistance.
Whenever a patient needs blood, Ravi is often among the first to respond. Through social media networks, particularly Facebook, he mobilises donors and arranges blood from wherever possible. His dedication has earned him immense respect among patients, attendants and healthcare workers alike.
“May God never make anyone suffer the way I did,” Ravi says. “I earn my livelihood through a small shop, but blood donation and helping people have become my passion.”
In a society where many people lose hope after facing adversity, Ravi Narayan Das stands as a remarkable example of resilience, humanity and selfless service. The man who once depended on dozens of blood donors to stay alive is now saving countless lives through his relentless commitment to helping others.
