Vidya gets her ground handling groove
A few years ago Vidya married Gokul a paraglider pilot and the trips to Kamshet, lots of parawaiting and managing an infant in the back of beyond all came as part of the package deal. A while ago she signed up for a course and watching her manage on the field with her daughter running wild at the site along with barefooted village kids brought back memories of my own early learning experience.
To be on the field in body and have your mind darting between toddler and the the glider can be a very tough way to learn to fly. No matter how much you prepare it is never enough. Hunger thirst tiredness too much sun etc. are all going around in a mother’s head not to mention the horror of scanning the fields and not seeing the the child you are looking for. And then of you bring sandwiches the kid wants biscuits and if you bring bring biscuits he want wafers … it is a familiar tale.
I will never forget my first flight at Shelar. I inflated the glider for the first time quivering and shaking looking bravely at the horizon only to find a red shirt – my 4 year old son Sunith in my vision. He had made the journey up the hill barefoot and all on his own. it was the last thing i needed before my first top to bottom and enough of an excuse to abort the flight and walk down but it was not to be. One of the kids was asked to take charge of my little fellow and i was now free to launch once more. It sure was a memorable first flight with my son running down the hillside yelling ‘ mummy’s flyiiiiiiing.