10 visually impaired enjoy paragliding in Pokhara

Chandani Sharma (21) of Baglung had heard that paragliding is operated in the skies of Pokhara, but she hadn’t imagined she would one day soar like birds. A student of BEd at the Prithvi Narayan Campus, Sharma was aware that Blind Rocks was taking visually impaired individuals for paragliding, but she didn’t believe she would get the opportunity herself.

“When Shristi informed me on Sunday that I would get a chance to paraglide, I was very curious. People used to say the sky is blue, but I have never experienced it,” Sharma said. “Soaring like birds and feeling the cold breeze was a memorable experience for me.”

Sharma said that events like this are important to send a message to society which still believes that people with disabilities can do nothing. “Although I could see nothing, my pilot Ram Gautam described to me how Pokhara looks from the sky,” she added.

Blind Rocks organized the inclusive paragliding program to spread the message that physical disabilities and visual impairment do not stop anyone from reaching new heights in life. Shristi KC, the founder of Blind Rocks, also thoroughly enjoyed her flight. “Entering into the clouds was the highlight of the experience. I always dreamed of flying above the clouds. It was a fun-filled experience,” KC added.

KC shared how her pilot briefed her about everything during the flight. “He informed me when we entered the cloud and described the green fields, Harpan Khola entering Fewa Lake, and the overall scenery of Pokhara,” she added. She also explained how her first paragliding experience brought positivity into her life and felt that other visually impaired individuals should also have the opportunity. As a result, she arranged for 10 visually impaired individuals, including two foreigners, to experience paragliding through her organization.

Thomas Sidleyn of Australia and Christopher John of the US expressed their happiness in listening to their pilots’ descriptions of the bird’s eye view of Pokhara city. For Thomas, a member of Blind Rocks, who is visiting Nepal for the second time, this was his first paragliding flight. “It’s not necessary to see to enjoy the beauty. We can also listen to others’ experiences and sense our surroundings,” he added. The program was organized in coordination with the Pokhara Metropolitan City, and the Nepal Air Sports Association offered free flights to visually impaired individuals.