Rachel Thomas

Stories Seldom Told

Rachel Thomas was the first Indian woman to compete for India in a skydiving competition in 1987. After 23 years, she ended her career in 2002, when she skydived from 7,000 ft over the North Pole also creating the record of being the first Indian female to skydive over the North Pole. During her career, Rachel has completed 650 jumps in 18 countries. She has won multiple awards including the winner of the National Adventure Sports Award and is a TedX speaker.

In 1979, this small-town mother of two kids, just 23 years old, decided one evening at an Army Party to join a Skydiving Course at Agra. Unknowingly history was created.

In 2005, Rachel was honoured again by the Government of India, with the fourth highest Indian civilian award - the Padma Shri.

"At 28 years old, my marriage broke. And in those days, to say that you're divorced was very difficult. At this point. My son was about ten, My daughter was about nine. They were young and I thank God that my mother and my sister was there to give me support and help me and be there for me because I had to keep going for training. To lift my head high and walk in Agra, the place where I was, was difficult."

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