Ravishankar “Ravi” became a member of the Rotary Club of Dharwad, India at a very young age in January1980. He held various positions in Rotary before becoming Governor. He is the first Indian origin to become Governor in New York.

Under his leadership 17 countries have benefitted from many human-itarian projects and were able to get over 1.7 million dollars in grants through Rotary and other organizations.

In 2001, he founded Gift Of Life India project which helps to operate children for heart surgeries free of charge. So far they are able to save over 1400 children under 14 years.

Ravi is actively involved with many humanitarian projects in Caribbean Islands, Tsunami, Katrina, Peru, Pakistan, India, Iran ,Italy, Grenada, Tiberius-Israel earth quakes. Ravi also coordinated to set up medical missions to Ghana, Nicaragua, Panama. Ravi is instrumental in getting grants – to North Shore Forrest Hill Hospital, New York, Glen Cove physically challenged school and medicines to Rota care project in Hempstead, McDonald House, Lake Success. Working tirelessly to raise funds to Eradicate Polio from the earth.

Ravishankar Bhooplapur is the founder & CEO of Vision Financial Services in New York, an insurance brokerage firm. He was awarded many Industry awards and entered into ?Hall of Fame? at insurance industry for his outstanding commitment & service to the Industry. Ravi is on the board for numerous Charities, Hospitals and businesses. Ravi served as a treasurer for the Center for India Studies at Stony Brook University.

Ravi has founded a 90 bed hospital in Ghataprabha India with a naturopathy center. Ravi has helped to set up 4 blood banks in India and two Cancer Hospital & Research center one at Hyderbad for Liner accelerator, Mobil Cancer Screening, Blood cell separator at Vijayawada Cancer Research Institute with most modern equipments for the breast cancer research, Eye Care hospital at Kanpur, Honnavar, Dialysis Center at Dharwad , Ludhiana, Vocational training facility at Talwandi Sabu ? Punjab for women, Number of water rain harvesting projects in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhara Pradesh, Ambulance vans, MRI & Cath Lab at Vijayawada. School bus to Blind school in New Delhi.

Ravishankar & Jayasheela Bhooplapur became the first charter members of “Arch Klump Society” from District 7250 in 2005. Trustee Chairman and President of Rotary International installed a portrait of Ravi & Jaya in the Hall of Fame at the world Headquarters in 2005. Ravi is recipient of “Meritorious Service Award” and also a recipient of Rotary’s highest recognition “Service Above Self” in 2006. Rotary Foundation also recognized with ”Distinguished Service Award in 2008“. He is the first one to get all awards before becoming the District Governor and also the youngest. Hon Congressman Gary Ackerman declared July 2 as “Ravi Bhooplapur” Day.

In 2005 Rotary Foundation (India) instituted a Trophy in his name to be awarded to the Rotary districts in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh. Ravi also received recognitions from Mayor of New York, North Hempstead Town Supervisor, County executive, Controller of New York, Attorney General of New York. Ravi is currently President of Xavier University School of Medicine in Aruba and enjoys traveling.

Ravishankar is married to Jayasheela and lives in Syosset New York. They have two children Manali who is a Medical student and son Amogh studying in middle school.