Sky’s the limit

Incredible it may sound, Mahato possesses skydiving and scuba diving licenses from the US. There are very few people even in the US possessing those licences.

Purushottam Kattel

Though leaving for foreign countries in search of job has become a popular trend in  Nepal, many people turn up their nose at people who are working abroad. These people think that a Nepali living in a foreign country performs only those tasks, which are neglected by the locals. But this does not hold true in all cases.

Raman Mahato, whose parents reside at Bhaisepati, is an exception and advocates that Nepali can do well in foreign soil if s/he has the will. Incredible it may sound, Mahato possesses skydiving and scuba diving licenses from the US. There are very few people even in the US possessing those licences. And the reason behind this: love for adventure sports and career at the NANA. He is probably one of the few South Asians who is working seriously to pursue a career with NANA.

Currently studying mechanical engineering at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Raman has a penchant for adventure sports especially skydiving. "The thrilling thought of floating between the earth and the sky makes everyone excited," Mahato, 22, said revealing his interest in skydiving.

Skydiving is basically a new adventure sports for Nepali since it is costly than other adventure sports like bunjy jumping, rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, ballooning and paragliding. It is basically an adventure sports, which can be used for safety and rescue purpose. From 1 to 6 skydivers exit the plane at an altitude of 1000-2000 m (3300-6600 ft) and open their parachutes after 10-20 seconds free fall in order to land at the agreed spot. And acrobatics training add more glamour to skydiving especially during demonstrations.

Raman thinks that Nepal can also host several tourists for skydiving. "There are several mountains and skydiving with peak of the mountain as the agreed destination is more adventurous," said Mahato who is set to complete PHD in Aerospace Engineering in future. "The government only has to build drop zones and should create a friendly environment for the tourist coming to Nepal." It requires a huge investment but Raman is positive that private sectors will readily invest money provided they get the right motivation."

He plans to establish an institute to promote adventure sports when he returns from the US. "I have got licence from United States Parachute Association so I hope it will be easy for me to open institute here." Opening such institute sounds like a farfetched idea but when a determined soul like him take heart to it, the institute may become a reality one day.

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