Leela Jose, a 71-year-old from Konnathady in Kerala’s Idukki district, has captured hearts by fulfilling her lifelong dream of skydiving from 13,000 feet. Despite initial disbelief from friends and family, Leela’s adventurous spirit led her to take the plunge during a recent visit to Dubai, where she surprised even the experienced skydiving instructors.
Leela’s fascination with skydiving began years ago, inspired by airplanes soaring over her hometown. When she finally shared her dream with her son, P. Anish, a civil engineer in Dubai, he thought she was joking. But after realizing her determination, he arranged a tandem jump — a method where a novice is harnessed to a professional instructor for the dive.
Spending nearly Rs 2 lakh on the experience, including videography, Leela described the freefall as a thrilling blend of fear and joy. “At one point, I felt weightless and let go of all thoughts,” she shared. When her parachute deployed at 6,000 feet, she knew she was safe.
Back in Kerala, Leela’s friends were initially shocked but later showered her with praise. She now dreams bigger, hoping to one day visit space, even reaching out to ISRO to consider her wish.
Leela’s skydiving feat follows the record-breaking jump by 80-year-old Dr. Shraddha Chauhan, who skydived on her birthday from 10,000 feet in Haryana. Their stories inspire people across generations, proving that age is no barrier to chasing adventure.
Leela Jose’s remarkable leap is a testament to courage and determination, inspiring adventurers of all ages to push boundaries and live their dreams, no matter their age.
