Hindustan Times
In the spirit of adventure
When I was in the Andamans, learning to dive, I learnt a very remark-worthy figure. Of the hundreds of people who learn to dive there every season, only 1 per cent are Indians.
I couldn’t fathom it. What could possibly be keeping us away from enjoying a thrilling activity like scuba diving. Not the cost. Because it’s paltry compared to what a large per cent of us tend to spend on holidays. Are we just not into water sports? Have we lost our spirit of adventure?
We have one of the most beautiful and longest coastlines in the world. Yet there’s almost no sign of the water sports like snorkelling, surfing and diving that are enjoyed all over the world. Perhaps we just don’t see the sea as a source of adventure and fun.
Also, the tendency to take unnecessary risks has always been frowned upon. I learnt that the hard way when a friend had an accident while paragliding. His family was upset with all of his friends for not dissuading him from taking up such a reckless activity.
Is it reckless? I don’t think so. When you prepare yourself, get training and take all necessary precautions, an adventure activity is as dangerous as crossing the road. Shit can happen anywhere. At least in the former, you’re doing something that makes you happy and alive.
But attitudes are changing.
Indians have more disposable income now than ever before, and are beginning to get over the save, save, save attitude. They’re eager to explore their potential; after all, you can never know what you’re capable of until you push yourself to your limits and discover lands beyond them.
For a people waking up to the possibilities of adventure sport and travel, can there be any better place to be than in India? Our vast nation offers a more diverse landscape than most other countries. And while we may not have the infrastructure at present, the right equipment is slowly becoming available.
Which brings me to something new that we’ve started in the paper today, something that I’m very excited about. It’s a new section that’s dedicated to fitness and adventure sports, meant to cater to this new breed of Indians.
I’m hoping that through this page we’ll be able to explore the variety of adventure opportunities available in the length and breadth of India and offer a map to any traveller wanting to set out on this journey.
Let’s see how it works out.
(4 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
Loading ...Posted by Neha Dara on Saturday, July 11, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Filed under Travel · Tagged Andamans, diving, longest coastlines, rush, scuba diving, snorkelling, surfing
I think the new section you propose is an excellent idea. The inputs will help change the idea of people that holiday is only meant to visit the Mal Road on a hill station. Shopping and eating.
The new generation needs these inputs and support.
On the lighter side-I agree that India offers the best avenues for adventure and it is understandable that only 1% of Indians were diving in Andamans. My reason- adventure is in our day to day life- see how we travel to office during the monsoons- we wade through water, push the car, fall into open gutters. Do we have much energy left for diving!!!
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neha Reply:
August 1st, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Ha! You have such a valid point. Our lives are definitely quite adventurous on a daily basis
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Hey!Looking forward to the new introduction!:) Thanks fr the lovely post!
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neha Reply:
August 1st, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Sana, hope you’ve been following the new section. If not, log on to http://www.hindustantimes.com/rush
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I think there is something about water that scares us all. We have been taught from child-hood to be wary of it - not to go too near the edge or we will fall in. Water = scary, our brains think.
I realised this the tough way when I learnt to swim at the age of 22 - I found I was afraid of going into the deep - am even to this day even though I am a decent swimmer.
I remember snorkelling in Hawaii - and really loving the underwater scene. But the sense of fear never left me even when I was swimming next to a sea turtle near a wonderful coral reef.
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neha Reply:
August 1st, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Wow. Learning to swim at 22 is an accomplishment. Hope you lose the fear soon!
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HI, may i know the name of the column and the edition which carries it???? And is it in main paper or some supplement????? would wait for ur reply……
Thanks and regards
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neha Reply:
July 25th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Hi Amit
The adventure page is published on every Sunday. it’s called Rush and is the second page of the sports section. The page also prints on Saturday, and looks at fitness sports on that day.
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The most important aspect you might have overlooked is that the local (indian) tourists are outnumbered by foreign tourists. Andaman is a costly destination to approach to, most of indian tourists are on LTC and would refrain from luxuries of costly water sports. Otherwise there is no reason that an indian tourist would lag behind in any adventure sports.
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neha Reply:
August 1st, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Maninder
While what you say might be true to of A&N to an extent, how can it explain the same trend in a place like Goa?
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I think the problem is more basic - most Indians dont know how to swim. Indian cities generally dont have adequate facilities to learn swimming. If your parents are members of a club or if you go to a school that has a pool, you might learn but generally opportunities to learn swimming are few (unless you are really interested and make the effort).
And while it difficult to find a place to learn swimming as an kid, it harder as an adult. Cant really do water sports unless you can keep from sinking…..
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Bingo!
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