80-year-young woman leaps from plane with son, creates history as India’s oldest tandem skydiver
by Utsav RoyDr. Shraddha Chauhan, mother of Retired Brigadier Saurabh Singh Shekhawat, marked her 80th birthday with a tandem skydive from 10,000 feet, becoming the oldest Indian woman to achieve this feat and securing her place in record history.
The incident took place at Skyhigh India, Narnaul airstrip, in Mahendragarh district, in northern India’s Haryana, on July 1.
Visuals show that before the flight, the brigadier helped his mother with stretching and warm-up exercises. Inside the aircraft, he carefully secured her gear. Moments later, the two plunged into the sky together. A GoPro recorded the wind striking their faces and their stunning descent.
According to reports, on her 80th birthday, Dr. Shraddha Chauhan etched her name in history as India’s oldest woman to complete a tandem skydive, jumping from 10,000 feet alongside her son, Brigadier Saurabh Singh Shekhawat, KC, SC, SM, VSM (Retd), one of India’s most highly decorated soldiers.
This landmark event took place at ‘Skyhigh India’ in Narnaul, Haryana, the nation’s only civilian skydiving drop zone. Brigadier Shekhawat, known for his expertise as a mountaineer, horseman, and adventure lover, also serves as Chief Skydiving Instructor and Mentor at ‘Skyhigh India.’
Despite facing health challenges such as vertigo, cervical spondylitis, and prolapsed spinal discs, Dr. Chauhan courageously took the leap, symbolizing resilience, bravery, and the enduring bond between mother and son.
“Courage knows no age. Love has no altitude. It’s never too late to soar,” said Brigadier Shekhawat.
‘Skyhigh India’ has been pioneering senior adventure sports; just last year, 73-year-old Dr. Balbir Singh Bhaura and his wife Dr. Pushpinder Kaur completed a tandem jump from 10,000 feet here, making headlines as one of India’s oldest skydiving couples.
Dr. Chauhan’s jump serves as more than a record, it is a powerful message that life’s greatest adventures can start at any stage.
For nine years, ‘Skyhigh India’ has been cultivating a culture of skydiving, welcoming dreamers, thrill-seekers, and trailblazers from all walks of life to embrace the skies.