Shital Mahajan, the first woman in the world to have skydived from the
North and South Poles, has five world records and fourteen national records to her name
Pune-based Shital Mahajan was introduced to skydiving in the year 2002, by a friend's brother who was an air force officer. The adventurous sport interested her so much that she learnt the basics of skydiving from him and soon, sought advanced training. However. at that time, a civilian in India could not be trained for skydiving, so she had to go abroad to pursue the sport (In a society where the number of girls in adventure sports is almost negligible, the biggest challenge Shital faced was breaking the set norms.of the society. Her parents were not convinced 'Girls don't do such things!" they told her. But Shital remained undeterred. She convinced her parents, paplaining that skydiving was her passion and were she to die because of it it would be her responsibility and hers alone.)It took time, but her parents finally got on-board with the idea. There was no looking back for Shital after that!
On 18 April 2004, she became the first woman in the world to skydive ber the North Pole from a height of 2400 feet, that too without any prior yuning! She landed on an ice slope in the sub-zero temperature of minus I degrees Celsius. In 2006, Shital sky dived over aoth, the South Pole and the North Pole, becoming the first woman in the world to do so, yet again.
The daring girl has five world ecords, fourteen national records and has a Padma Shri award to her name as a credit for her over 650 umps! She has acquired the A, C and D licenses from the United States Parachuting Association, which now permits her to compete in Brents all around the world.
Shital to go for training in other countries at a high cost. Shital recently Despite the international fame facilities to train people in skydiving. This forces passionate people like the has received, India barely recognises the sport and also lacks the Hounded the Phoenix Skydiving Academy. Through her academy, Shital ams to give a chance to aspining skydivers. The academy will function is professional training institute that will offer training in skydiving ati custy Through the academy, Shital will soon be creating history yet agar by providing an opportunity for 100 women to create a world record in skydiving and souba diving.