The veritable sky diva

It was the frenzy of working on a project involving nurturing youth from trouble torn states of the country that led Dr Aanchal Khurana to take a sabbatical. That’s when this dentist-turned-skydiving enthusiast decided to go for her first skydive. “My first jump was a long wait after the rigorous training. My heart was beating, at 4,500 feet; I was asking myself why I was here. Something kept me going, making me jump out of the aircraft. It taught me the meaning of adventure; gave me inner strength which everyone has but is unaware of. And then the addiction started, I decided to bring this experience to the civilian population of the country. And hence was born the skydiving company of India – Kakini. We are branding it now as Crazy-I-Skydive,” she effuses.

Trained to be a dentist, Aanchal admits, “I decided to quit my profession and put all my energies to get this sport going in India. When I started skydiving, there were many amateurs, mostly from ex-armed forces and there were no standard procedures. I approached United States Parachute Association and employed USPA foreign instructors, safety being my paramount concern. I also wanted all operations under one head. The most important thing for skydiving to succeed was to have my own aircraft and nullify the dependence on aviation companies. Today, we are the largest skydiving company in India. The company has been conducting skydiving operations across the country and has an impeccable record of safety with experienced instructors with licenses from United States Parachute Associations. Skydiving operations in south India are conducted from Mysore Airport.”

Recalling her most exciting experience, she profuses, “It was cutting the cake, while jumping from 10,000 feet on completion of one year of skydiving. This I did while doing an accelerated free fall from 10,000 feet. My plan is to set up a permanent base at Mysore and once in a while move around to promote the sports around the country. I’m also planning to set up a skydiving school for professional courses and generate skilled manpower and employment.” But it wasn’t all hunky dory for this go-getter. She had to work against all odds to take up the challenge to set up a skydiving facility in India. “I had to run from pillar to post and get approvals at every stage. Today, I have conducted camps across the country. Once all my parachutes were stolen by those who had failed to make a mark in the sport and I had got threatening calls, but I came back with a vengeance.”

She has been instrumental in formulating operating procedures for skydiving using Cessna 172, BEL 407 aircraft, formulating training manuals for static line and AFF courses, employed the best instructors and is recognised by the world body of skydivers (USPA) and was felicitated at the 12th Pravasi Bharati function for her contribution to aero sports in India. The Delhi-based Punjabi lass is full of grit and determination, as she proclaims, “I have the honour of being the only Indian who has made maximum number of civilians jump. I have travelled across India and make it a point that I jump enough in each camp.” Talking of her other passions, she adds, “I love classical dance and have also done a few performances. Apart from travelling, I’m now doing research on the Bhagavad Gita.”