10,000 feet dive from the blue gives Bhopalis the goosebumps

BHOPAL: Experience the adrenaline rush of skydiving from 10,000 feet high. A free fall of 30 seconds like a stone followed by a smooth parachute gliding makes it a lifetime experience before a diver touches the ground . As the two-day skydiving festival began here on Tuesday, six more Bhopalis will enjoy skydiving on Wednesday.
From March 3 to 6, one can also skydive in Ujjain.As many as 50 people have applied for skydiving in Ujjain.
On the first day, three bureaucrats including Pallavi Jain Govil and Sanjay Govil, Sanjay Dube – both principal secretaries and S Vishwanathan , MD MP Tourism Development Corporation (MPTDC) dived from 10000 feet. Besides, wife of Dube and two professional divers of Skyhigh India, the organisation holding the event with the support of MPTDC also dived.
One dive costs Rs 31,272 inclusive of all taxes.
Rudra Bhanu Solanki, CEO and founder of Skyhigh India, first to dive with the tricolour said , “Skyhigh India is a foreign affiliate of the United States Parachute Association (USPA). Our aircraft and standard operating procedures (SOPs) are certified by the director-general of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Government of India. It is safe and adheres to all the international norms.”
Before the Bhopal event, the facility was available only in Narnaul town in Haryana and Madhya Pradesh would only be the second state to introduce it.
After the dive, S Vishwanathan said, “It’s a lifetime experience. The potential is good and we will review the festivals of Bhopal and Ujjain to make a decision about making it a regular facility in the state.”
The number of dives may look small in Bhopal but given the busy Bhopal skies because of number of commercial flights , the number is good. It takes about 25 minutes of time when a diver boards the aircraft, takes off, reaches the height and then dives. The actual diving time including the 30 second free fall till the parachute opens is about 4 to 5 minute duration, said Vishwanathan.
Unlike Bhopal, Ujjain is hardly connected with commercial flights and hence has more time for skydiving. This was the reason why Ujjain was selected for the event. It is also close to Bhopal and Indore making it convenient for the people to reach and enjoy. Vishnawathan said, “We are trying to accommodate all the 50 applicants in three days in Indore.”
Rudra said, “We use the most sophisticated equipment available in the global market, Sigma Tandem Parachute Systems and the dives are operated by highly skilled instructors with thousands of jumps experience.”
A resident of Dhar in Madhya Pradesh Rudra is a USPA certified skydiving coach with over 250 jumps across 10 drop zones around the world. Rudra has travelled extensively around the world to understand the nuances of the sport and bring the best practices to India.