Rachel Thomas a small-town girl from Chittaranjan West Bengal dreamt of soaring in the limitless sky and became India’s first woman skydiver. A daredevil at heart has made her mark by hoisting the Indian tricolor on the North Pole.
From being conferred with the Padma Shri in 2005 to making an entry into the Limca book of records is no mean feat.
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”- Eleanor Roosevelt
Read more about her in conversation with Dr. Preeti Talwar
PT: What or who inspired you to go skydiving?
RT: As a kid I always wanted to fly/ soar as one of the kites/ eagles.
I could just stare at them for hours and just enjoy them. Being born in a small town my exposure was very little. I never knew there were flying clubs for women even.
PT. The first time you skydived you had clammy fingers, did you feel you should quit and go home.
RT: The first time I skydived was also the first time I was flying in an aircraft. Ha! ha! And now you tell this person to jump out of the plane at 4,500 ft. Everything looked like miniature toys
In my dictionary the words Quit or No never existed.I think I was a born fighter.I knew I had to find a way out of my sweaty palms and I did it on my 4 th freefall. Never have I looked back ever.
PT:. How was the feeling of meeting the PM, Mr Rajiv Gandhi?
RT: When I realized that I would be the last person he would be meeting on the lawns of 7 Race Course, I was a bit disappointed, honestly he spent the most time with me.
He never for even one second made me feel that he was the Prime Minister of India. He went through my Log Book where we log each jump we have carried out the date and the experience. The first 10 jumps were signed and the details of how my jump was filled by my Instructor, Chantal who was a French lady whose English was sketchy. So the PM read her remark to me and asked me what is this —- No pull, forgot to pull. I nearly wanted to say whatever you can imagine but I didn’t dare to so I explained —— It was my Ripcord Handle that I didn’t pull.
He smiled and then talked to me for a long time wanting to know what I desired to do.
PT: You have had quite a lot of close shaves, what was your feeling when you managed to come out of it?
RT: I was so confident that my Creator has numbered my days. Nothing would happen before that. When I started to skydive I was just 24 with two kids 3&5 yr old. My friends were shocked how I could have not thought about my kids——- I had only one answer —- Do you have any guarantee crossing the road or climbing down the stairs that you won’t die or get injured. When you have no answer to that then I am confident that my sport is very safe.
PT: You were facing a lot of personal issues in life, how did you as a mother and your children accept your long absence?
RT: I was Blessed. Both my mother and sister were there when I was off for training or for competitions.
PT: What was the feeling of reaching the North Pole and planting the tricolor?
RT: To begin with reaching the 89th Latitude and due to the Arctic Storm the jump couldn’t be conducted. Living in Minus 55 degrees was tough with just one solid meal,as they were not prepared for this. On the 6th when we got ready for our jump, on Point Zero, it was exciting. I had never ever dreamt of etching my name on the Top of the World. We jumped from 7,000 ft and flew our parachute to Point Zero.After landing I hosted my Indian Flag proudly there. I created history by being India’s First Woman to skydive on to the North Pole. At times for me it is a dream.
PT: Do share the story of how you smuggled a dog?
RT: I had gone to Russia to train with the Russians at their club to excel my skills in the sport. I had already put in 3 weeks of training offered to me by the Russians.The day I was returning home, I just couldn’t buy anything for my kids, not even chocolates, as President Gorbachev was hijacked, and the country was in a very bad condition.
Walking through the Saturday market, looking for gifts I saw this lady selling an Apso. I bargained with her and bought the dog, bringing it home with my girlfriend. We showered the dog, dried it, fed it some and took it in my bag to the airport.
It’s true —- I had no papers but I had decided to give it away if I got caught up with—- which I didn’t even after he went through the X- Ray Machine.
Once I got through there was no problem Took him to the plane and after take off little Gorby ( that’s what we named him ) was out of the bag, The air hostess fed him cuddled him and he had a great flight to his new home.
PT: How did you feel about getting the Padmashree award ?
RT: I still remember a friend had called me up and asked me to check the paper out on 26 th Jan early morning. I was ecstatic. Couldn’t get over it. Calls flowers and reporters started calling. It was too exciting It’s the first time in India that Padmashree was given for Aerosports I am truly grateful To God for all he has done for me.
PT: 9 Were you subjected to any gender discrimination while skydiving?
RT: Yes I was. When I was skydiving in the 80’s there were no women in the Force yet. I had got special permission to skydive with the forces at Demo jumps and even to train at the Para Training Center at Agra/ but my Instructor gave me the best remark in my log book which I have quoted in my book Limitless.
In this world both the good and bad exist and at times I wonder how do I harm them or how do I take away their position for them to pull the rug under my feet .
The most thrilling award was when I got the Air Chief’s Commendation I think in 1994
PT: How do you keep yourself fit ?
RT: Even today I exercise daily. I try to walk 5 km daily and exercise too after it.
PT: Any advice for readers regarding this sport ?
RT: It’s one of the most amazing Aerosport in the world. It’s closest to flying free like a bird. You really play with the Air to do various positions and moves
It’s a sport that teaches you to be highly alert even with all the fun you have — SAFETY IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THIS GAME.
You always need to have plan B, when you get into a problem cause you are still falling at 120 miles per hour. You have to depend on yourself and get out of it. Trust in yourself always remember
NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.
Shared By : Dr. Preeti Talwar,
Author’s Bio:
Preeti Talwar is a doctorate in science, who has worked as
a Research Associate under a U.G.C fellowship, worked as
a Proofreader with Thakur Publishers, Worked as a Content
Writer for Planet Spark, India Go Social, Planet writer, Story
Mirror, Student Star, Odds spaces. Well published on
national and international media. Published for the Chicken
Soup Series. Author on different forums like YourStory,
Bonobology, Thrive Global, Women’s Web, The Country
esquire magazine.uk , Spillwords, Sivana East, Lit Gleam
Magazine, Sheroes, Different Truths. Writing is adrenaline
for Preeti’s soul.
