Captain (Retd.) Reeta Rajkishor Biyani, popularly known as Ritu Biyani, occupies a unique place in the history of the Indian Armed Forces. A former Army Dental Corps officer, she became the first lady paratrooper from the Army Dental Corps and the first woman from the Maheshwari Marwari community to join the Indian Army. Her remarkable journey extends far beyond military service, evolving into an inspiring story of resilience, adventure and dedicated cancer awareness.
Born around 1960 in Maharashtra, Reeta Biyani was raised in a family that valued education, discipline and public service. Her father, Professor R. S. Biyani, was a civil engineer and educator, while her mother, Asha Biyani, nurtured artistic and cultural values within the family. Stories of patriotism and service from relatives associated with India’s freedom movement helped shape her outlook from an early age.
She pursued her Bachelor of Dental Surgery at the Government Dental College and Hospital in Nagpur. Alongside academics, she actively participated in the National Cadet Corps (NCC), where she developed a passion for military life, outdoor activities and adventure sports. Her interest in athletics, badminton and volleyball further strengthened her determination to pursue a career in uniform at a time when very few women considered the Armed Forces as a professional path.
In November 1981, after successfully clearing the selection process, including medical examinations and military training at the Armed Forces Medical College Training Centre in Lucknow, she was commissioned into the Army Dental Corps. Her commissioning marked a significant milestone as she became the first woman from the Maheshwari Marwari community to serve in the Indian Army.
Her first posting took her to Sikkim, where she began providing dental care to soldiers stationed in demanding conditions. During the following decade, she served in several remote and high-altitude regions, often becoming the only woman officer in her unit. Despite logistical challenges and harsh weather, she travelled extensively to ensure troops remained medically fit, earning the respect of colleagues through her professionalism and dedication.
In 1983, just two years into her military career, Reeta Biyani volunteered for parachute training. Successfully completing the physically demanding course, she earned her coveted parachute wings and became the first lady paratrooper from the Army Dental Corps. She further expanded her skills by undergoing mountaineering, skiing and skydiving training, achievements that were rare within the Dental Corps and almost unheard of for women officers during that period.
She completed two Short Service Commissions and retired from the Indian Army in 1992 with the rank of Captain after serving for nearly ten years. Although her military career ended, the discipline, resilience and confidence she developed in uniform would continue to guide her throughout the rest of her life.
Following retirement, Captain Biyani established a dental practice in Pune and focused on family life. However, in September 2000, she faced one of the toughest battles of her life when she was diagnosed with high-risk breast cancer at the age of 40. She underwent multiple surgeries and chemotherapy while raising her young daughter, Tista.
Rather than allowing the illness to define her, she approached cancer with the determination she had developed as an Army officer. During her treatment, she experienced widespread misconceptions about cancer after some people wrongly believed it was contagious. The incident highlighted the urgent need for awareness and motivated her to dedicate herself to educating others.
In 2006, accompanied by her teenage daughter Tista, she launched Project High>>>Ways, India’s first long-distance adventure drive dedicated to cancer awareness. Over 177 days, she drove more than 30,000 kilometres across the country, travelling to the four extreme corners of India while conducting awareness programmes on breast, cervical and oral cancers. The campaign covered 26 states and four Union Territories, reaching schools, colleges, hospitals, military establishments and community organisations.
The expedition gained national recognition and secured a place in the Limca Book of Records. Encouraged by its impact, she established the non-profit initiative Highways Infinite, which continues to support cancer patients, organise awareness programmes and guide families through diagnosis and treatment. Over the years, the organisation has conducted thousands of awareness sessions and reached hundreds of thousands of people across India.
Captain Biyani continued to achieve extraordinary milestones after overcoming cancer. She became the first cancer survivor to trek approximately 120 kilometres to Kumar Post on the Siachen Glacier, demonstrating exceptional physical endurance. She also became the first breast cancer survivor to complete the Raid-de-Himalaya, one of India’s toughest motorsport rallies, proving that cancer need not limit ambition or achievement.
Her expertise in patient advocacy earned international recognition. In 2011, she was invited to contribute as an external expert to the World Health Organization’s Guideline Development Group, helping formulate recommendations for the early referral of suspected breast and cervical cancer patients in low- and middle-income countries. She has also delivered TEDx talks, served as a motivational speaker and continued practising dentistry while supporting cancer patients nationwide.
Throughout her distinguished journey, Captain Reeta Biyani has received numerous honours, including multiple entries in the Limca Book of Records and more than fifty awards recognising her contributions to healthcare, women’s empowerment, adventure sports and cancer awareness.
Captain Reeta Biyani’s legacy represents much more than a series of personal achievements. As the first lady paratrooper from the Army Dental Corps and a pioneering woman officer, she challenged traditional barriers within the Armed Forces. Later, as a cancer survivor and awareness campaigner, she transformed personal adversity into a nationwide mission that has positively influenced countless lives.
Her life demonstrates that courage is not confined to the battlefield. Whether serving soldiers in remote border regions, earning her parachute wings, overcoming a life-threatening illness or driving across India to spread awareness, Captain Reeta Biyani has consistently embodied resilience, determination and selfless service. Her inspiring journey continues to encourage young Indians, especially women aspiring to join the Armed Forces, to pursue excellence, embrace challenges and dedicate themselves to serving society.
