Dr. Ravi Kannan is leveraging his medical expertise and vision to turn a small rural cancer centre into a state of the art comprehensive cancer centre in Assam’s Barak valley. Dr. Kannan is a surgical oncologist who was earlier heading the department of Surgical Oncology in the prestigious Adyar Cancer Institute (WIA) in Chennai. He was moved by the plight of economically impoverished people who had no access to even basic cancer treatment. Relinquishing monetary accolades and comforts of a big city life, he chose to dedicate his services to the Cachar Cancer Hospital & Research Centre in Silchar, Assam. He is PI in several DBT, ICMR, DHR, BIRAC, DEITY supported research projects. He is on the task force of Government committees that makes policies for cancer care and research. He was awarded Padma Shri in 2020 by the Government of India for his exemplary service for the underserved.