Category Archives: Sports

Ever since I posted my skydiving post/video and dedicated it to the people fighting against corruption, I have become a laughing stock among some ignoramus friends of mine. I, for one, mostly don’t care of what others say. I did what I wanted to and have no regrets. I have been able to shut them up with one line – ‘If you have balls, do it and then talk.’ The topic closes there with a – ‘oooooo.’

The attitude of getting things done quickly and avoiding lines even if it means paying bribe irks me to the core. I don’t mind having a healthy discussion, but with some so determined to pay bribe to get things done quickly and wholeheartedly oppose anyone who fights corruption, any discussion is a waste of time and energy. Many of my American friends are optimistic and talk positively (esp. knowing the Gandhi episode), but many of my own countrymen are very very skeptical and pessimistic.

Below is the actual video (with some cuts and text) I got from the skydiving place. The one I used in my previous post was edited to change the audio track.

I have been teased a couple of times and the discussion usually goes like these…

You jumped for Anna – There’s is difference between doing something for and dedicating something to. I didn’t do it for anyone; I did it for myself and though it’d be a good idea to dedicate it.

You are a strong supporter of Anna – Well, I am. In fact, I will support anyone who fights corruption, won’t you? If you don’t, shame on you.

The Anna thing won’t work – If well educated people don’t support a cause and act overly smart, what do you think will change? Everything has to start some way and someday, why not make this a starting point for a good future?

I planned it for publicity – It’s been a while since I did it and I’m a super star now. No, really I am.

Then why the dedication? – I don’t know. I had a lot of waiting for my turn and all of a sudden I came up with this idea of dedicating. It was the peak of protests. I chose to support by spreading the word and raising awareness in my own possible way.

Skydiving won’t stop corruption – No, it won’t. I never said it will. My skydiving didn’t have anything to do with the protests directly. When I decided to skydive on my own without any prior skydiving experience, I was nothing but full of skepticism. Many of my friends warned me; the instructors were crystal clear about the possibilities. I spent some time studying skydiving, learning from others and I was confident about doing it right even though the inputs coming in from many sources were scary.

I’d be lying if I say I was never afraid. I didn’t even know how it’d feel free-falling and scared about so many possible outcomes. I even went to an extent of thinking of so many things about life as if it was going to be my last day! When you think that it could be your last day and just look back, so many things come to mind. You really appreciate what you have; the hearts you have broken flashes right before your eyes; memories from the past starts to haunt you; you will realize the words you haven’t spoken yet; most of all you will start to love life. It’s an overwhelming feeling. I’m glad I could experience it.

My skydiving was all about overcoming the fear, believing in myself and having the courage to do what I wanted to do. I’m glad I did what I did and I learned a lot from it.