Turns out, Ahuja is not only a licensed truck driver, he’s a physician. Before migrating to Canada six months ago, Ahuja for 15 years ran a private 25-bed hospital in the Punjab. But then in search of a better life, he, his wife (who is a registered nurse) and their three children moved to Canada.

He knew that it would be difficult for him to re-qualify as a physician in his new home, but he also wanted to give his kids more opportunities.

And, he says, no matter what, he had to support his family.

So he attended the Humber College Driver Training Academy and earned his CDL. The plan: earn some experience as a driver and then eventually own a few trucks.

After winning his truck license, he went to visit India. It was on the flight back to Toronto that his baby-delivery skills came into play.
Near the back of the plane, a woman named Kuljeet Kaura was about to give birth. After quickly assessing the situation, Ahuja consulted with the crew.

“After initial assessment, I declared to the captain that she may take one to two hours to deliver and the captain’s plan to divert the plane to Frankfurt, Germany, may not be fruitful. We were into Russian airspace and the plane would have required dumping off almost 60 tonnes of aviation fuel to lighten the weight of the plane so that its landing gear could withstand the weight of the landing plane.”

“The nearest airport where the proper medical facilities and arrangements for the other 350 passengers could be available, was Frankfurt. It would have taken at least three to four hours for the final descent to Frankfurt so it was decided to give a trial to deliver.”
According to the Toronto Star, Ahuja used empty food cartons to lift the patient’s legs. He sterilized scissors in Scotch and the staff used the microwave to warm a blanket. And after 45 minutes, tiny Aakash Leen Kaur entered the world, high above the ocean. Her first name means “sky” in Hindi. She and her mom finished the flight in Executive Class.

The 45-year-old Ahuja was given a standing ovation by the other passengers. The Air India crew gave him Scotch. His picture was in the local paper.

But now it’s time to start trucking.

“I’m looking for a reputable company so I can gain some experience. I want to know everything I can about trucking, about dispatch, driving, everything,” the very affable Ahuja says.

Despite the switch in careers, he says, he has no regrets about moving to Canada. There was, he says, “ a slight disappointment and uneasiness at not knowing which direction to follow,” but he adds that greater security, less turmoil and more predictable lifestyle will mean his children will have more opportunity than they would have had in the old country.

“Am I liking it here? Yes. Canada’s definitely a beautiful country.”