Skydiving world record holder Indian sportsperson Shital Mahajan is preparing for her next frontier i.e. the space. In a candid and freewheeling Instagram live conversation with Union Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia, Mahajan said she's in talks with ISRO to do a 'Made in India' attempt in space diving. Mahajan said, "So many men have attempted space diving and if an Indian is attempting that, then why shouldn't it be a woman?"
A few days back Mahajan also became the first woman to skydive near Mount Everest. According to Mahajan, she had been preparing for this for the past 16 years. She said, "Globally there is a three pole challenge, in 2004 and 2006 I was the first woman to perform a free fall jump in the South and North Pole. Mt Everest is the third pole and from December 2022 I was planning to attempt it."
Budget for the task was a challenge for Mahajan but the Reliance Foundation gave her financial support and she only ended up spending 20% of the total amount. She first reached Nepal and from there she did a four day trek towards Mount Everest. Mahajan jumped from 23,000 feet and landed on a height of 17,444 feet in an environment of low air density and temperature dropping as low as 16 degrees. Mahajan added, "It felt very special to click a selfie in front of Mt Everest mid air. This will be a forever memorable moment for me."
Civil Aviation Minister Scindia lauded Mahajan's accomplishments and said, "It is a delight to see an Indian and especially a woman hold so many national and international records. Last year we announced the National Air Sports Policy to promote Air Sports in India. I feel a sportsperson like Mahajan is a good example for the generations to come. Keep inspiring youngsters and would love to seek your inputs in the policy to promote Air Sports in India."
Since November 11, Mahajan has done a total of four parachute jumps in the Everest region. On November 12, Mahajan did flag jump with the Indian flag at Syangboche airport from 8000 ft. On November 13, she did one jump at Amadablam mountain base camp from 23,000 ft and landed at 15091 ft. On the same day she performed the 'best jump' of her life from 21500 ft in front of Mount Everest and landed at the highest altitude at Kalapatthar 17444 ft.
Mahajan was wearing four layers of clothes, two hand gloves, glasses and other safety equipment to save herself from the bone chilling temperature.
Mahajan is also aiming to participate in 2025 World Air Games and lead an Indian team in multiple disciplines.
In order to inspire youngsters for air sports Mahajan said, "Dreams do come true if you want to achieve anything. Youngsters should experience the fear of air sports, until you don't try it you'll never know."
Shital Mahajan holds the following records:
WORLD RECORDS
NATIONAL RECORDS
(Edited by : Pihu Yadav)
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