There comes a moment in every person’s life that changes the way people look at them. Skydiver Shital Mahajan is also an idol of such heroism. Holder of five world records, 14 national records and bestowed upon with Padam Shri in 2011, but Shital is still an unknown figure in India.
She is well known internationally for her skills but what hurts Shital the most is the lack of recognition in her own country. Having performed more than 655 jumps, adventure sports enthusiast Shital is a skydiving coach too. United States Parachuting Association has certified her with A, B, C and D licenses and coach ratings, which makes her eligible for skydiving all over the globe. But she still excessively depends on sponsors to stay in the sport and continues to plead the government for support.
She is known internationally for her skydiving achievements and even bestowed upon with a Padma Shri, but still Shital has no prominence among the Indian sports fraternity.
In an exclusive chat with IBNLive, the adventure-loving Shital shared her sentiments and aspirations to do her country more proud.
When and how you thought of starting skydiving? And how you turned professional in this adventure sport?
I started skydiving in the year 2002. I deliberately wanted to do something different. In our society, there is a taboo that a girl can’t do this and that. I wanted to erase that stereotypical image of a woman from people’s mind. They think a woman is supposed to serve her family, raise kids and only do household work. When I started to face similar challenges, I decided to break barriers.
Then I happened to meet one of my friends’ brother, Air Force officer Kamal Singh. I came to know about skydiving from him only. Then I took coaching from him. I wanted to do skydiving so I asked him how can I start. His answer was “since you are a civilian, you need to go abroad for skydiving as it cannot be done in India.”
Then I decided if I have no choice than to go abroad to learn, then why not at a special place like the North Pole.
Does your family support you since it involves a lot of money and one has to risk his/her life?
My parents didn’t support me initially but later on I convinced them. When I asked them I want to do skydiving, their answer was “have you gone mad! In our family no one has even travelled in an aircraft and you want to jump from it!” They said girls can’t do such dares. But I had a strong determination, so I convinced them. I clearly said, it’s my life and if I were to die, it will solely be my responsibility. They said “we can’t allow you to risk your life”. Then I started blackmailing tactics (laughs) by threatening to leave home. Girls leave their home for marriage, but I wanted to leave to sky-dive.
Tell us something about your awards and records.
Presently I have 14 national and 5 world records in my name. On 18th April 2004, I became the first woman in the world to execute a sky-dive from North Pole, and that too without any prior training. There wasn’t any land for my landing, so I had to land on an ice slope in a freezing temperature of minus 37 degrees, from a height of 2400 feet. Following my first world record, in the year 2006, I became first woman to perform sky fall from both South Pole and North Pole. Chasing achievements and records, the biggest accolade in my career came my way in the year 2011 when I was awarded the fourth highest civilian award, the Padma Shri, from the then President Pratibha Patil.
We heard that your meeting with former President Late Late APJ Abdul Kalam had a touch of both sorrow and happiness attached to it.
After my North Pole achievement, the Russian government approved me with a certificate recognising my feat, but the Indian government didn’t accept my accomplishment.
Then Sports Minister, Late Sunil Dutt, said: “There is no value of such certificates in India”. They weren’t ready to recognise my achievement. The government asked me to contact the Air Force and they sent me back to the Sports Ministry that said skydiving is not considered a sport in India.
I was heartbroken, so I decided to meet the then President, APJ Abdul Kalam. I showed him all my certificates and told him how the Sports Ministry is refusing to recognise my achievement. He said “I, the President of India, recognise your world record. Now whose recognition do you need?”
APJ said: “My secretary Ashish is here. If you get stuck in any situation, give him a call. We are always here to support you.” He was an amazing personality.
Where do you mostly practice skydiving?
I usually practice skydiving in Spain, Finland, California and Arizona (USA). There are still no proper rules and regulations for skydiving in India. I want to make all this possible in India one day.
What safety measures you take for skydiving?
FAI (Federation of Aeronautics International) is the world regulatory body for skydiving. It has set up some rules and safety measures that every skydiver has to follow. Special suits are used for skydiving that are wind proof, even protect the body in negative temperature, where body contact with open air can lead to blood clots.
When you perform a jump from 11,000 feet, only 40 seconds are there to open the parachute as you fall with a speed of 230 kmph. At this speed in a temperature like -38 degrees, hypothermia may take over the body. Our suits protect us from all this. Beneath that we wear four T-shirts and four pants, besides a helmet, two face covers and medical tapes all over the body. Only the nostrils are left open to breathe.
What runs through your mind when you are in mid-air?
In skydiving, you have just a 40-second timeframe mid-air. Either you can think or you can land safely. I give all the credit of safe landings to my subconscious mind.
While in the air, even 4-5 seconds are precious and it can affect badly. Therefore, only subconscious mind works at that point of time.
Tell us about your institute – the Phoenix Skydiving Academy.
The Maharashtra Government suggested me to open a skydiving institute in Pune. It had my roots, where I could teach and perform skydiving. So I started the Phoenix Skydiving Academy. We are active in four states – Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
What is the average expense one needs to bear for skydiving?
The expense of one jump is 20 dollar in US but in India it costs 20-22 thousand rupees. We, at our institute, are trying hard to bring it to a nominal price of 9-10 thousand rupees.
What are your aspirations regarding skydiving?
I am planning for a sky fall from Australia along with hundred plus Indians. I want to associate more and more people with skydiving in India so that we can come up as a big powerhouse. I want to popularise skydiving as a sport in India.
Who do you consider as your inspiration? And how do you see future generation’s interest towards skydiving?
Current generation is very active and they are ready for adventure sports. A lot of enthusiasts want to get trained for skydiving. My inspiration is Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld (world skydiving champion, coach, author, speaker), and I feel good when my students seek inspiration from my achievements.
Source…Akash Khanna …www.ibnlive.com
Natarajan
Take off with Natarajan 