In a proud moment for Himachal Pradesh, Rahul Gadhwal from Nadaun has become the state’s first licensed Para Motor Glider Pilot (PMGP) — marking a significant milestone in the world of adventure sports in the region.
The prestigious licence, issued by the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation, was formally handed over to Rahul by Nadaun MLA Sanjay Rattan during a special ceremony.
Congratulating him, Rattan said, “This isn’t just a licence to fly — it’s a symbol of a new era in adventure sports in Himachal.” He added that Rahul’s achievement would inspire many youngsters in the hill state to pursue offbeat careers.
Rahul’s journey began back in 2007 at Solang Nallah near Manali, where he got trained in paragliding under instructor Budhi Prakash. After honing his skills, he began exploring sites closer to home Nadaun— identifying take-off points like Sujanpur Hills, Solasinghi Dhaar near the Hamirpur–Una border, and the Jawalamukhi hills in Kangra. But it was the open stretch along the Beas River near Nadaun that eventually drew him toward motorised paragliding.
The shift wasn’t easy. Rahul had to overcome logistical challenges and invest nearly ₹10 lakh in equipment. But with consistent encouragement from his mentor, Col (retd) Neeraj Rana, former Director of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS), Rahul remained focused.
He trained rigorously at ABVIMAS in Kullu and NIMAS in Arunachal Pradesh, completing over 300 hours of solo flying before finally earning his PMGP licence.
Now, with wings quite literally under him, Rahul hopes to take Himachal’s adventure sports scene to new heights — and encourage others to explore the skies, not just for the thrill, but also for the growing opportunities it offers.
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