Shital Mahajan, a prominent Indian skydiver at the age of 41, has once again etched her name in the pages of history. Renowned for receiving the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award in India, and holding various skydiving records, Mahajan recently achieved an extraordinary feat. On November 13, she became the first woman globally to leap from a helicopter at a staggering altitude of 21,500 feet in front of the majestic Mt. Everest, the highest peak on Earth.
Breaking Records
In a social media post on her Facebook page, Mahajan shared her excitement, describing the jump as the "best of her life." She not only broke the record by landing at the highest altitude at Kalapatthar, measuring 17,444 feet (5,317 meters), but also set two national records—being the first Indian woman to skydive in front of Mt. Everest at Kalapatthar and achieving the highest altitude skydiving landing by a woman.
The Journey
Mahajan's journey of high-altitude skydives in the Everest region began on November 11. Her initial leap from 5,000 feet AGL (Above Ground Level) took her to a breathtaking altitude of 17,500 feet, with a successful landing at 12,500 feet at Syangboche airport. Notably, she was accompanied by legendary skydiver Wendy Smith from New Zealand, who served as her instructor in the aircraft.
The skydiving trailblazer continued her remarkable series of jumps. On November 12, Mahajan executed a flag jump at Syangboche airport from 8,000 feet, proudly waving the Indian flag alongside skydiving legends Wendy Elizabeth Smith and Nadia Solovyeva. This jump secured her the national record for the highest flag skydiving landing by a woman.
Mahajan's relentless pursuit of challenges reached its pinnacle on November 13 when she executed a jump at Amadablam mountain base camp from an awe-inspiring altitude of 23,000 feet, landing at an elevation of 15,091 feet. Having completed a total of four parachute jumps in the Everest region within a span of three days, Mahajan's courage and determination shone brightly.
‘So many men have attempted space diving, and if an Indian is attempting that, then why shouldn't it be a woman?’
Beyond her groundbreaking achievements in the field of skydiving, Mahajan is now setting her sights on the next frontier—space. In an Instagram live conversation with Union Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia, she revealed her talks with ISRO for a 'Made in India' attempt in space diving.
Mahajan emphasised the importance of women attempting space diving, stating, "So many men have attempted space diving, and if an Indian is attempting that, then why shouldn't it be a woman?"
Mahajan's journey towards the skies and beyond is not without its challenges. Despite financial constraints, the Reliance Foundation provided crucial support, enabling her to fulfil her daring aspirations. Mahajan's meticulous preparation over the past 16 years, culminating in this historic skydiving spectacle near Mt. Everest, showcases her unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries and defying odds.
As she reflects on her latest achievement, Mahajan expresses the significance of capturing a mid-air selfie in front of Mt. Everest, emphasising that this will be a forever memorable moment for her. Shital Mahajan's story is one of resilience, courage, and a testament to the indomitable spirit of breaking barriers in the pursuit of dreams.
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