Panchgani- Harrison’s Folly is one of the best flying sites in India. People have been flying here since a decade or two. And no wonder it is loved by everybody. All the people who are engaged with flying know that it is an adventure sport; therefore they have their own safety kit. But it is very kind of the local policemen to care about the safety of the pilot and the surrounding dams which is the reason why they banned flying only from Harrison’s Folly. Strange that pilots have been flying here for so long, but the police recently realized that—
1) They should have a license and certificates.
2) They would drop a bomb on the dam.
3) People driving on the road get distracted because of gliders.
4) Someone died in Panchgani 5 years back hanging on a huge kite (that is what they call a glider).
Isn’t that ridiculous!!! I would have made better stories than that.
2011 ends with logging just one flight from Panchgani. This place’s bad luck is in full form that nor we can fly nor land. The farmers down in landing area had caught up with a fight with Russians last season, this complain was registered by the Russian Embassy against the owner of the landing area. So he has strictly warned that no parachute will land in his territory ever again.
So here we are, can’t fly because the police has a problem, and even if we do, can’t do a top landing because the police will be waiting for you with sticks and can’t do a bottom landing because the farmer’s also got a stick (a bigger one in fact). What could be worst…?? This is all for now. Happy New Year…!
PS: I WANT TO CHANGE MY NATIONALITY ANY COUNTRY INTERESTED PLZZ LET ME KNOW.
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Shrikanta, it is so sad to hear this news. I hope that this mess will come to the end, because I want to fly to India next year, and of course I'm going to Panchgani.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion people should speak to Andre and develop the ideas we have to help people to get some profit out of this, instead fighting with pilots. Paragliding is not just the sport, it's a special sort of tourism and as more comfortable it is, as more pilots will come and as more profit can get the local people.
Maharastra is very strange region, nowhere else the buffalo's are scared of flying objects, so it might be the farmers are scared of something as well. Because our animals reflects our own minds.
hey kido.....
ReplyDeleteyou are brave girl...i understand your love for the game and the situation you and fellow lovers of the sport....
but kido somehow i would like to contest your last sentence....
ours is lovely country all around the world.... please dont get bogged down with these kind of things.....
i am sure, you will get a permission from the concerned authorities and the issue will get settled.
all the best for the efforts and hats off to the love and spirit for the sport..
and special thanks to your parents for supporting you in all your avenues.....
take care....