Conquering the skies

Alwal: " A jump from an open chopper is all it takes to conquer every fear within us. It is all a mind play." smiles Y Srinivasa Rao, Director of the National Adventure Foundation (NAF) Andhra Pradesh and Telangana chapter. Hailing from an army backdrop, Srinivasa Rao was always inclined towards adventures and the adrenaline rush that accompanied it.

Although he joined the Indian Air Force in 1988 as a technical warrior, Srinivasa always wanted to experience the vast skies and the challenges it posed, even if he had to become a fighter pilot. But a failed attempt at clearing the necessary tests left him disappointed. Unlike others, the 46-year-old didn't give up on his dream instead began to focus on adventure sports that could keep him equally exhilarated.

" Given the professional responsibilities I had, I was also rejected from skydiving which I thought could be the perfect alternative to fulfil my dream. But this didn't slow me down. I was ready to take the risk and discover myself.

So I took up basic and advanced mountaineering courses at Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in Darjeeling. The experiences I had through trekking up hills or climbing up the rocks took me to a new high and ever since then there was no looking back." gleams the retired IAF personnel.

From horse riding to scuba diving, from shooting to bungee jumping, Srinivasa shed his blood and sweat to train his body and mind as he had no other sources to keep him occupied in the remote places he was posted to.

Narrating his stay in Shillong as the most productive phase of life, Srinivasa shares that the tribals who were well versed in certain defence techniques, had taught him a lot and as a mark of their friendship, they had gifted him a handmade bow, which he still cherishes.

Even though all this gave him a sense of satisfaction, Srinivasa still longed to soar in the skies and fate too had heard him perhaps! It was in Tamil Nadu, that he first skydived. " I had gone through an intense training for several weeks but a night before my first skydive, I was sleepless.

In fact, I could clearly hear my heartbeat and for a second I almost thought of sabotaging the plan. But my inner voice held me strong. The next day I was in the air, 4500 feet above the ground taking my first dive. Believe me, I went blank and emotionless at least till I landed on the ground only to realise I had just lived my dream. That memory will always remain etched in my life." shares the 46-year-old adventure enthusiast.

But that was not the end of it! Srinivasa went on learning different techniques in skydiving like free fall, canopy dive etc and indulged in several other aero sports across the country because of which was made a part of the Air Devil team of the Indian Air Force, which was a premier group of skydivers in the country. Being a part of such prestigious groups, Srinivasa also trained his fellow cadets and officers in skydiving. The group also used to perform in many air and water shows in national events like the first Kankaria Carnival during which Srinivasa was lauded by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself.

Balancing his professional commitments towards the country and plunging into adventure sports in the free time had become Srinivasa's daily routine. But realizing that even his family yearned his support, the 46-year-old resigned his duty on the same day as his father in 2008. It was the same year in which he decided to pass on his knowledge of adventure sports to youngsters and started the "Multi Adventures Club" in August.

" I saw it as the best way to instil sportsmanship in the country's future generations. Right from a six-year-old child to a sixty-year-old senior citizen, I had trained thousands of people in various adventure sports that too in a limited time span.

Out of which today many of them have become national level sportsmen. Even the first IPS to climb the Everest was once my trainee. Today I feel proud of what I have achieved and would continue to do so in my future endeavours." shares the National Record Holder for sky sports.

One would be surprised to know that Srinivasa has also trained celebs like Revanthi in skydiving. Even his six-year-old daughter Snigdha who barely is in her primary classes can aim a bow perfectly and has touched the skies with her father several times such that the little girl doesn't know what fear means.

But despite the accomplishments, Srinivasa still is disappointed at the state of adventure sports in the state. " There is a lot of potential in our state but the lack of investment in the sports sector is a discouragement to many sportsmen and women who want to showcase their talent.

Although the state government has inaugurated adventure sports as a tourism drive three years ago,no strong blue print has been made for its development in Telangana. There is an urgent need to address the issue and I am ready to offer my services to the sports department if need be." affirms the retired IAF personnel.