To mark World Skydiving Day, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Saturday donned adventure gear and took to the skies to experience the thrilling sport himself at India’s first private skydiving facility in Haryana’s Narnaul. The 56-year-old, who was seen enjoying himself in mid-air, took to X to announce the launch of the new skydiving aircraft at India’s only civilian drop zone at the Narnaul airstrip. He wrote, “On the occasion of World Skydiving Day, had the pleasure of flagging off the new skydiving aircraft and taking a tandem skydive this morning at Skyhigh—India’s only civilian skydiving drop zone at Narnaul Airstrip, Haryana. For new and adventurous Bharat, the skies too are no limit.” दिन विशेष: स्काई डाइविंग का रोमांच। pic.twitter.com/iGoaQLDeyL — Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (@gssjodhpur) July 13, 2024 According to a PTI report, Shekhawat arrived at the Narnaul airstrip early in the morning to enjoy the skydiving experience, accompanied by both his daughters. After landing from the tandem jump, the Union minister said, "This day is surely an adventurous day for me, and for the entire world, it is an important day in the field of aero-sports, when they are celebrating World Skydiving Day for the first time. In this field, a skydiving facility has started at Narnaul (airstrip) here in India and I took part in a jump." The tourism minister, who found the experience "thrilling," said, "I see a bright future for India in the tourism and aero-sports sectors starting today. The Centre will collaborate with state governments and private partners to promote it across the country." Interest in adventure sports has grown worldwide, with many Indians traveling to countries like the UAE, Singapore, Thailand, and New Zealand to enjoy activities like skydiving, he said. "After starting this facility in India, people will get an opportunity to take part in adventurous activities, and it will also be an important step in boosting tourism in the country," he added. Truly exhilarating! On the occasion of World Skydiving Day, had the pleasure of flagging off the new skydiving aircraft and taking a tandem skydive this morning at Skyhigh—India’s only civilian skydiving drop zone at Narnaul Airstrip, Haryana. For new and adventurous Bharat,… pic.twitter.com/0Clb8iykw4 — Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (@gssjodhpur) July 13, 2024 In tandem skydiving, a professional skydiver accompanies the participant throughout the jump. World Skydiving Day will be held annually on the second Saturday in July. Dedicating a day to skydiving is an initiative by four of the largest skydiving associations in the world – the US Parachute Association, Australian Parachute Federation, British Skydiving, and Canadian Sport Parachuting Association. The day commemorates the “fantastic sport of skydiving” and aims to set a record for the most jumps worldwide.
