Be it plummeting from the sky or diving into the deep seas, she never hesitates to take the plunge. Meet Archana Sardana, a 40-year-old adventure enthusiast, India’s first woman civilian Building Aerial Span Earth (BASE) jumper who often jumps from bridges of over 3,600 metres (12,000 feet) high, and India’s first woman scuba diver trainer. She unfurled the Indian flag at a depth of 30 metres in the ocean, off Andaman’s Neil Island, and set a new record.
Sardana did not grow up as an adventure sports enthusiast, but graduated with a diploma in interior design. But just 20 days after her wedding, on a whim, her husband, a naval officer, and she braved a local marathon. That was the turning point. Talking about it, she shares, “My parents were always protective of me. Interestingly, I picked up adventure sports only after marriage. But if I hadn’t taken that proactive initiative, nothing would have been possible. My husband sees these capabilities in me. Somehow, something pushes me to jump.”
Talking about some of the biggest obstacles she has faced and about keeping her balance, she shares, “My biggest obstacle has been money. I even sold my house so I could follow my dreams. When I started, my children were in boarding school, and during that period, I travelled extensively. I had to find a balance.”
Her message to the younger generation is simple: “Overcome your fears to really start living.”
Images via Women’s Feature Service
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