Shital Mahajan, a Padma Shri awardee, has made history by becoming the first woman to conduct skydiving trips to the North Pole, South Pole, and Mount Everest. This incredible feat, backed by the Reliance Foundation, occurred between November 7 and November 15, 2023.
Shital began on a goal she had cultivated since 2007. She was inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's powerful phrase, "Beti ki Udaan, Desh Ka Swabhimaan" (the flight or success of a girl child is the glory of a nation).
The Everest Skydive was a risky jump from an AS350 B3 helicopter in front of Mount Everest, the world's highest summit at 29,035 feet (8,848 meters). Shital's journey set multiple world and national records, including the highest altitude parachute landing by a woman and the distinction of becoming the first woman in history to jump over all three poles—the North Pole, the South Pole, and Mount Everest.
The 11-day Everest Skydive Itinerary featured high-altitude acclimatization, excursions to Sagarmatha National Park, and landings on the world's highest drop zones.
Shital holds several national records, including being the first Indian woman to skydive in front of Mount Everest, the highest altitude parachute landing with a flag, the highest altitude parachute landing by an Indian woman, and the first Indian woman to skydive over the world's three poles.
This journey not only represents a personal accomplishment, but it also adds considerably to the story of Indian women breaking down obstacles and reaching incredible heights.
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