Known more for his political endeavours as the BJP MP from Rajasthan’s Jodhpur, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, aged 56, surprised everyone on Saturday by showcasing his adventurous spirit as he took part in a daring skydiving sortie at the country’s first private skydiving facility located in Haryana’s Narnaul. 

His daring leap also marked the inaugural World Skydiving Day with a gravity-defying feat that captured the imagination of both enthusiasts and onlookers alike.  The Minister was guided by a professional as he went high up in the skies and landed softly on the ground before being helped up.

He was full of excitement as he saw a bright future for India’s tourism sector and aero sports through the Narnaul-based facility. This is the first time India has opened its skies for the exhilarating sport of skydiving.

After his skydiving trip, the Union Minister spoke to the media and called his experience ‘awesome’. He also said on the occasion of World Skydiving Day, it is very important to attract people to this sport who can enjoy it with all the safety harnesses in place.

“Today is very important for India and the world. It is important for India because the very first private skydiving facility has opened in Narnaul. It is important for the world because World Skydiving Day commences today. Being India’s Tourism Minister, it is my responsibility to ensure the availability of facilities for everyone to experience them,” he told reporters.

He said the Centre will work with the State Government and private partners engaging in this field to further promote it in different places in the country.

Social media X, formerly known as Twitter was buzzed with excitement over Shekhawat’s unexpected foray into skydiving after he posted a few pictures and a video in a post on X on the adventure activity at Narnaul that was organised by a private entity.  “Today on World Skydiving Day, I too enjoyed its unique thrill. Its facility has started on a private level in Narnaul, Haryana. I am happy that the tourism sector in India is getting equipped with world-class facilities. We invite tourists with open arms from the ground to the sky,” he wrote on X.

The Minister’s adventurous spirit not only sparked admiration but also ignited discussions about India’s emerging skydiving sector. Some lauded it as an excellent initiative, while others offered suggestions to nurture this newfound interest in adventure sports.

Tourism operators are equally optimistic about the opening of the new tourism stream in the country, calling it a significant moment in adventure tourism.

Rajnish Kaistha,  Senior Vice President Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) said, “Sky diving being an international sport we are glad that it has now come to India also with Haryana taking the lead and inspired by the movie Hirthik Roshan starrer  ‘Jindagi na milegi dubara’ many Indians have been going abroad to enjoy the thrill offered by adventurous sports like skydiving.

However, it shall now be within the reach of more people here without traveling abroad and inculcate the youth's spirit. And of course, even foreigners traveling to India shall be able to enjoy this additional activity and we welcome more such initiatives, he said.

Reetu Jain, Director, Coterie Tours Pvt Ltd highlighted the potential of adventure sports in addressing the youth’s need for entertainment and lifestyle alternatives, which currently lead to risky behaviors like stunting on roads and highways.

She also suggested partnerships with foreign adventure clubs for training and certification, stringent enforcement of regulations, and the establishment of dedicated facilities like skating rinks and auto tracks.

Industry experts said the first annual celebration of World Skydiving Day is taking place on July 13 and will be repeated every second Saturday of July. The inaugural World Skydiving Day was announced by four organizations - the US Parachute Association (USPA), the Australian Parachute Federation, the British Skydiving, and the Canadian Sport Parachuting Association. The event aims to set the record for most skydives on this day and celebrate the thrilling experience of the extreme sport.

“World Skydiving Day is a call to people from all walks of life to take a leap and be part of history. We invite you to experience this adventure of a lifetime-it’s not just for adrenaline junkies or a distant dream on your bucket list,” USPA Executive Director Albert Berchtold said in a statement here.