'Truly exhilarating': Tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat experiences tandem skydiving
Narnaul (Haryana), Jul 13: Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Saturday strapped up adventure gears and took part in tandem skydiving in Haryana's Narnaul and said he foresaw a "bright future" for India in the aero-sports tourism area.
The occasion was World Skydiving Day and the minister also flagged off an aircraft that will be used for skydiving, said to be the first such aircraft in the country.
Early morning, Shekhawat, 56, reached the Narnaul airstrip to experience the thrill in the sky. He was accompanied by his two daughters on the occasion.
Soon after touching down post the tandem skydiving activity, the Union minister shared his experience with mediapersons.
In tandem skydiving, a professional skydiver accompanies the person taking part in it during the whole exercise.
"This day is surely an adventurous day for me, and for the entire world it is an important day in the field of aero-sports, when they are celebrating World Skydiving Day for the first time. In this field, skydiving facility has started at Narnaul (airstrip) here in India and I took part in a jump here today," Shekhawat said.
"I feel thrilled and side by side can foresee a bright future for India in the tourism sector and in aero-sports segment starting from today," he told reporters here.
The Tourism Minister said interest towards adventure sports has grown world over and many Indians in large numbers go to different countries, such as the UAE (Dubai), Singapore, Thailand, New Zealand, to enjoy these aero-sports and skydiving.
"After starting this facility in India, people will get an opportunity to take part in an adventurous exercise, and it will also be an important step in the direction of boosting tourism in he country," he added.
He said a very wonderful and amazing future of aero-sports was beckoning, and added that the Centre will work with state government and private partners engaging in this field to further promote it in different places in the country.
Later, the minister also shared a few pictures and videos in a series of post on X on his experience at Narnaul that was organised by a private entity.
"Today on World Skydiving Day, I too enjoyed its unique thrill. Its facility has started on private level in Narnaul, Haryana. I am happy that the tourism sector in India is getting equipped with world-class facilities. We invite tourists with open arms from the ground to the sky," he wrote on X.
"Truly exhilarating! On the occasion of World Skydiving Day, had the pleasure of flagging off the new skydiving aircraft and taking a tandem skydive this morning at Skyhigh—India’s only civilian skydiving drop zone at Narnaul Airstrip, Haryana. For new and adventurous Bharat, the skies too are no limit," he wrote in another post.
दिन विशेष: स्काई डाइविंग का रोमांच। pic.twitter.com/iGoaQLDeyL
— Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (@gssjodhpur) July 13, 2024
आज विश्व स्काई डाइविंग दिवस पर मैंने भी इसके अनोखे रोमांच का लुत्फ़ लिया। नारनौल, हरियाणा में इसकी सुविधा निजी स्तर पर प्रारंभ हुई है।
— Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (@gssjodhpur) July 13, 2024
मुझे प्रसन्नता है कि भारत में पर्यटन का क्षेत्र विश्वस्तरीय सुविधाओं से लब्ध होता जा रहा है। हम ज़मीन से आसमान तक बांहें फैलाकर पर्यटकों को… pic.twitter.com/m4ExqC9cKE
Truly exhilarating!
— Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (@gssjodhpur) July 13, 2024
On the occasion of World Skydiving Day, had the pleasure of flagging off the new skydiving aircraft and taking a tandem skydive this morning at Skyhigh—India’s only civilian skydiving drop zone at Narnaul Airstrip, Haryana.
For new and adventurous Bharat,… pic.twitter.com/0Clb8iykw4
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MP: BJP Minister makes controversial statement involving Col. Sofia Qureshi
Says Modi sent “their own sister” to destroy terrorists
Bhopal: Kunwar Vijay Shah, a minister in the Mohan Yadav-led Madhya Pradesh government, has stirred controversy with a provocative statement made during a public event. Without naming Indian Army officer Colonel Sofia Qureshi, the minister made remarks that have drawn criticism for being communal and derogatory in tone.
Addressing a gathering, Vijay Shah claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken a symbolic step to avenge the mistreatment of Indian women by sending "a sister from their community" to confront those responsible. His reference, believed to be directed towards Colonel Sofia Qureshi, suggested that the officer was sent on a military aircraft to retaliate against Pakistan-based terrorists for previous attacks and alleged atrocities.
“The Pakistanis had stripped people from our country. The terrorists said ‘tell Modi we have killed Hindus and stripped them’. That’s why PM Modi sent their sister in an army plane to teach them a lesson,” Shah said in his speech.
He further added, “Those who had destroyed the vermilion of our sisters, we sent their own sister to beat them. Modi could not remove thier clothes, so he sent their sister – from their caste and community – to take revenge and strip them.”
The minister also praised the Prime Minister’s leadership, saying only someone with a "56-inch chest" could take such decisions. “Modi said he would reduce them to dust. The terrorists were sitting in their homes and they were beaten. We are proud that Narendra Modi is our Prime Minister and that we are safe under his leadership,” Shah said.
The remarks have sparked outrage on social media, with many calling them insensitive, communal, and disrespectful to the armed forces. Critics have pointed out that using the identity of a decorated army officer to make political or communal statements is inappropriate and undermines the professionalism of India’s defence forces.
There has been no official response from Colonel Sofia Qureshi or the Indian Army regarding the remarks.
This is a BJP MLA from Madhya Pradesh, Kunwar Vijay Shah.
— Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRaii) May 13, 2025
In this speech referring to Colonel Sofia Qureshi , he is saying that “ Modiji sent the Pakistanis their own sister to teach them a lesson”
Colonel Qureshi made India proud, roared like a lioness for India and this the… pic.twitter.com/EBHuQ3ycvd
