JOHN AGUIAR
Squadron Leader (Retd.) Dr. Swapnil Salelkar is a man whose life has been shaped by a remarkable journey—from the rustic surroundings of Karapur to the demanding world of the Indian Air Force, and eventually back to his roots, where he continues to serve society in his own distinctive way.
After completing Class 12, Salelkar’s first ambition was to join the Armed Forces. He filled out an application, hoping to wear the uniform and serve the nation. However, destiny had a different plan in store for him.
In 2000, he became the first young man from Karapur to secure admission to Goa Medical College (GMC). Moving from his familiar village surroundings to pursue medical education was his first major venture beyond the boundaries of home.
After completing his postgraduate studies in Public Health, Salelkar once again attempted to fulfil his childhood ambition of joining the armed forces. He applied for the Short Service Commission and was delighted when he was shortlisted. But his happiness was short-lived. During the medical fitness assessment at the Army’s Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi, he was declared unfit because he was underweight.
Nevertheless, Salelkar refused to let disappointment dictate his future.
Undeterred by his unsuccessful attempt, he joined the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Bihar, working under the National Polio Surveillance Programme.
His assignment took him to remote and inaccessible villages, where he worked in extreme temperatures to protect the health of young children. Later, Salelkar returned to Goa and joined the state’s Health Services as a District Epidemiologist.
His professional responsibilities soon placed him at the forefront of public health challenges. In 2009, during the swine flu outbreak, he worked tirelessly with his team to help control the epidemic in Goa. He was subsequently posted as a medical officer at the Primary Health Centre in Sanquelim. Here, his interest in community welfare led him to the Art of Living Foundation. As a volunteer, he helped organise a series of programmes for local communities in Sanquelim and neighbouring villages, including Poriem and Keri.
Salelkar did not abandon his ambition after his first rejection. Determined to make one final attempt, he reapplied for the Short Service Commission. This time, fortune favoured the persistent.
In June 2016, he was commissioned into the Indian Air Force as a Flight Lieutenant. After years of waiting, disappointment and preparation, the dream he had carried since his youth finally became a reality. His first posting was at the Airmen Training Centre, where young recruits looked to him for guidance, counselling and mental support as they adjusted to the demands of military life.
Alongside his medical responsibilities, he conducted outbreak investigations and inspections relating to sanitation and hygiene to help maintain a disease-free environment at the station. Salelkar’s final posting was in New Delhi, where he served as an instructor in the disaster management wing associated with military training.
Disaster management requires more than technical knowledge. It demands calm decision-making, teamwork, coordination and the ability to act decisively when lives are at stake. His previous experience in public health and flood-affected areas gave him valuable insights into these responsibilities.
Then came COVID-19. As the pandemic spread, Salelkar was entrusted with responsibilities involving epidemic investigation, preventive measures, quarantine arrangements and vaccination drives at his station.
In December 2021, he finally hung up his uniform and retired from the Indian Air Force.
Returning to his native Karapur in Bicholim taluka, he has taken up a new mission: raising his voice against what he and other villagers see as a threat to their environment, community and traditional way of life. His story carries an important message for the younger generation: circumstances may delay your dreams, setbacks may test your resolve, and the road ahead may be difficult—but perseverance can open doors that once seemed
firmly shut.
