In a shocking, sweeping round of layoffs that took place on April 1, the tech giant shocked the entire industry by letting go of around 30,000 employees globally with just one cold email. What has drawn more attention is not just the scale of the cut altogether, but the profiles of those affected
Cole Tomas Allen parents: All we know as neighbor speaks out after WH shooting, ‘Very solid and…’Cole Tomas Allen, a Torrance resident, was identified as the suspect in a shooting incident at a gala in Washington, D.C. Updated on: Apr 27, 2026 4:36 PM IST By Shweta Kukreti Share via Copy link
Thirty students of Delhi University’s Hansraj College have been suspended in the past week for alleged violence and misconduct during an annual festival, and allegedly defaming the institute on social media, The Indian Express reported on Monday
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has declared Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom, one of South Kashmir’s biggest seminaries, as an unlawful entity under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act for alleged “covert linkages” with the banned group Jamaat-e-Islami, The Indian Express reported on Monday
Authorities in Jammu & Kashmir have declared Darul Uloom Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom, one of Kashmir’s biggest educational seminaries in Imam Sahib area of Shopian district, an “unlawful entity" under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, over alleged links with the banned Jamaat-e-Islami
Meet Divya Surepalli, Andhra Pradesh’s first licenced civilian woman skydiver
Meet Divya Surepalli, Andhra Pradesh’s first licenced civilian woman skydiver
At 37, Divya Surepalli stepped into a category that barely exists on the civilian sporting map of India. In 2024, she became the first licensed civilian woman skydiver from Andhra Pradesh, joining fewer than 20 women nationwide who have pursued the sport beyond a one-time tandem jump. Some in this small cohort are licensed; others are still working toward it. The number alone explains how narrow the route remains.
Divya, who has her roots in Visakhapatnam, holds a postgraduate degree in Environmental Engineering from Germany. Skydiving had stayed with her as an idea for years, long before it became a plan. During a visit to the United States, she came close to making her first jump. “At that point, I only wanted to experience a tandem jump,” she says. Weather conditions ruled it out, but the disappointment carried an unexpected consequence. The thought of doing it with training and certification, began to take shape.
The turning point arrived when she travelled with Shweta Parmar, among the earliest civilian women skydivers in India, to Moscow for an Accelerated Freefall (AFF) course. The destination was Drop Zone Krutitcy, located outside the city. Divya intended to complete the entire sequence there. Instead, worsening weather after the initial stages interrupted the plan. “I finished my AFF there, but the conditions deteriorated soon after,” she says. “To complete the remaining jumps required for my licence, I had to relocate.” Thailand became the second classroom.
Divya Surepalli from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh's first licensed civilian woman skydiver. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
To earn an A licence, the first level of certification for solo skydivers, a jumper must complete a minimum of 25 jumps, clear written or oral assessments, demonstrate specific freefall and canopy control skills, perform group jumps and pack their own parachute. With 29 jumps logged, Divya met the criteria. The licence allows a skydiver to jump at affiliated drop zones across the world without direct supervision.
Progress, however, did not follow a straight line. Midway through her AFF course, a severe spin during freefall unsettled her. “That incident shook my confidence more than I expected,” she says. Doubts crept in, not as fear of the sky but as a question about her own judgement. The intervention came from her instructor and mentor Alex Troshyn. “I had withdrawn and was staying in my hostel,” she recalls. “He came to speak with me and reminded me that setbacks are part of training, not signs of failure. That conversation helped me return to the process.”
Divya Surepalli from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh's first licensed civilian woman skydiver. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Thailand presented its own lessons. During one jump, shifting winds altered her landing trajectory at around 1,000 feet above ground level. The options narrowed quickly. “It came down to landing on an asbestos roof or entering a swamp,” she recalls. Training had been unambiguous about avoiding water. The roof carried a near certainty of broken bones. A cluster of trees offered a third possibility. She aimed for it, accepting impact over injury. The landing, unexpectedly, was controlled. The moments preceding it were anything but calm.
Divya Surepalli from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh's first licensed civilian woman skydiver. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Another jump demanded a late correction to avoid electric poles near the landing zone. Crosswinds, she explains, are common in Thailand, where drop zones are often lower. “At 12,000 feet, you have less freefall time than you would at 14,000 feet, as in Moscow,” she says. “That reduces the margin available for adjustments.” Each situation reinforced the discipline required to think clearly under pressure.
Divya Surepalli from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh's first licensed civilian sky diver. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Beyond the technical demands, Divya emphasises the importance of mentorship and support systems. Family acceptance was neither instant nor easy. Convincing her mother took time. Agreement came with a condition. “She asked me to video call her before and after every jump,” Divya says. “She wanted to see that I was safe. That reassurance mattered to both of us.”
Access remains one of the sport's largest barriers in India. Only one drop zone currently offers tandem jumps, and none issue civilian licences. Aspiring skydivers must travel abroad for certification, which drives costs sharply upward. She estimates that obtaining her first licence cost around ₹5 lakh. Subsequent levels are less expensive, but the initial investment alone places the sport beyond reach for many.
Divya Surepalli from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh's first licensed civilian sky diver. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Gender adds another layer. “It is a male dominated space and stereotypes are very real,” she says. “There were moments when I felt dismissed. At the same time, I also encountered men who were supportive and professional. Both experiences exist.” During periods of self doubt, those allies made a tangible difference.
Divya describes herself as shy, quiet and ambiverted, traits that seem at odds with the image commonly associated with skydivers. The sport altered that perception, including her own. “It changed how I respond to situations,” she says. “There is a heightened awareness that carries into everyday life. It has helped me become clear about what deserves attention and what does not.”
She is now part of an informal network of civilian women skydivers in India who share advice, training experiences and encouragement. Fitness remains central to her routine, with daily runs forming a steady counterbalance to the intensity of jumping.
For Divya, the achievement is not framed as conquest or thrill seeking. It is defined instead by persistence, training and the quiet resolve to finish what was once postponed by weather.
Published - January 30, 2026 10:25 am IST
The Hindu MetroPlus / adventure / lifestyle and leisure / sky-diving / sky diving / aero and aviation sport / adventure tourism
Source: TheHindu
Related Posts: Psychologist shares 5 barely noticeable signs of outgrowing a friendship… Wamiqa Gabbi admits pay disparity exists in Bollywood US exists World Health Organization Shinchan’s School Exists In Real Life World's rules-based order 'no longer exists' Long Ticket Queues At Delhi Metro Even As Smart Ticket Option Exists DYK ‘Pakistan Idol’ Exists Who Is Divya Deshmukh Divya Deshmukh’s bold and right move
Olympic medallist and World Champion P. V. Sindhu has assumed a full voting position on the Council of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) following her election as Chair of the BWF Athletes' Commission, according to a release. Horsens: One of the most accomplished athletes in the history of
1 days ago
Axis Bank has reported a decline in employee headcount for FY26, with its total workforce falling by around 3,000 employees year-on-year. The private lender said the reduction was linked to higher productivity and efficiency gains arising from sustained investments in technology
1 days ago
West Bengal Election 2026: Polls in the state are a battle of narratives. Parties are using food and cultural symbols to connect with voters. The TMC emphasizes Bengali identity, while the BJP seeks to broaden its appeal. Both are navigating a complex electorate where cultural affinity meets
1 days ago
Woman gets mom's thyroid levels tested at 3 labs, gets different results: Doctor explains why it happened, how to avoidAn influencer got her mom's thyroid testes from three labs, getting varying results. Experts highlight factors like biotin and calibration differences. Published on: Apr 27
1 days ago
Apple MacBook Ultra coming to top the Pro lineup in 2027, reports sayMacBook Ultra is rumoured to bring OLED display, possible touch support, M6 chips, and a thinner design, positioning it above the MacBook Pro lineup. Updated on: Apr 27, 2026 3:25 PM IST Share via Copy link You may be interested
1 days ago
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday (April 26, 2026) that the suspect accused of trying to attack administration officials at a black-tie gala on Saturday night (April 25) was a “pretty sick guy” who had been flagged to law enforcement by family members.U.S
1 days ago
Manabadi AP SSC 10th Results 2026 Date Time Live: The Board of Secondary Education, Andhra Pradesh (BSEAP) is expected to announce the AP SSC Results 2026 anytime soon. According to media reports, the results are likely to be declared in the last week of April. Last year
1 days ago
PV Sindhu has stepped into a new role off the court, officially joining the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Council as a voting member after completing the formal vetting process. Her appointment was formalised at the end of 2025, with Sindhu making her first appearance before the global badminton
1 days ago
The ‘digital pacifier’ comes under scrutiny in the UK; here's what Indian parents have to sayAs screen dependency grows, the UK introduces fresh guidelines to help parents navigate early digital exposure. Here's what Indian parents have to say about it Published on: Apr 27
1 days ago
The new musical film about Michael Jackson has stormed the worldwide box office, scoring the highest opening weekend ever for a biopic. The singer's nephew Jaafar Jackson portrays him in Michael, which has taken $217m (£160m) globally since it opened on Wednesday
1 days ago
Bhooth Bangla worldwide box office collection day 10: Akshay Kumar film collects ₹150 crore; beats Sky Force lifetimeBhooth Bangla worldwide box office collection day 10: The horror comedy marks the reunion of director Priyadarshan and actor Akshsy Kumar. Apr 27, 2026
1 days ago
Farah Khan feels Aparshakti Khurana has better comic timing than brother Ayushmann Khurrana: ‘He became such good actor’Farah Khan reminisced about meeting Aparshakti Khurana during Om Shanti Om promotions, expressing initial doubts about his film career. Apr 27, 2026
1 days ago
Kejriwal flags timeline of Delhi judge Sharma and her children's legal postings: ‘At the very least, troubling’Arvind Kejriwal detailed a “sequence of events” of how Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma and her two children were given legal postings. Updated on: Apr 27
1 days ago
BJP National President Nitin Nabin on Monday said the party is confident of winning the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, citing strong support from workers and public protests against the current government. National President on Monday expressed confidence that the would emerge victorious
1 days ago
Oil prices rose Monday (April 27, 2026) while stocks were mixed with the United States and Iran no closer to ending their eight-week-old war after U.S. President Donald Trump cancelled his envoys’ trip for peace talks at the weekend. Hopes that the two sides could make progress during
1 days ago
JPSC JET 2024 Exam Cancelled: The Jharkhand Public Service Commission conducted the JET 2024 exam on Sunday, but the examination had to be cancelled at two centres. The cancellation was not due to a paper leak or any other mismanagement, but because of issues with the printing of the question
1 days ago
Rugby Premier League to have inaugural women's edition in JuneRugby Premier League (RPL) will have its inaugural women's edition in June. Updated on: Apr 27, 2026 2:57 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link Rugby Premier League (RPL) will have its inaugural women's edition in June with four franchise teams
1 days ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Need a reliable printer? Check these top WiFi colour printers under ₹20000Printing costs add up fast. Here are WiFi colour printers under Rs. 20,000 that handle daily work, photos
1 days ago
Ecommerce major Amazon India on Monday announced that its quick commerce arm Amazon Now will expand to 100 cities, backed by over 1,000 .This comes a few days after the company announced a Rs 2,800 crore investment to strengthen its infrastructure and operations across the country as part of a
1 days ago
Rich tributes continue to pour in for Raghu Rai, India's most celebrated photojournalist, following his death at the age of 83. Rai spent more than five decades documenting the country, capturing moments from political power to everyday life with striking clarity
1 days ago
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday blamed the United States for the collapse of recent negotiations, as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remain stalled. Speaking in Saint Petersburg during a visit to Russia, Araghchi said excessive US demands derailed talks that had shown
1 days ago
The Future of Knowledge Work Summit 2026 in Bengaluru will bring together enterprise leaders to navigate the shift toward AI-driven, human–machine collaboration. As AI reshapes workflows, decision-making, and organizational structures, the summit will focus on what truly works in practice
1 days ago
Iran’s Foreign Minister arrived in Russia on Monday (April 27, 2026) as peace efforts between Tehran and Washington hung in the balance, following a flurry of regional diplomacy and the collapse of planned talks in Pakistan. Abbas Araghchi arrived in Saint Petersburg
1 days ago
India is the second most sleep-deprived nation in the world. Average sleep in Indian cities has dropped to under six hours a night. One in three working adults reports chronic fatigue — and yet we celebrate this. For this week’s Health Matters
1 days ago
‘Bhaiya please bacche hain’: Indore couple with 2-year-old held hostage in car for 10 minutes, threatened with stickThe family remained trapped inside the locked vehicle as the man continued his aggressive behaviour, repeatedly demanding money. Published on: Apr 27
1 days ago
Rijiju said that 7 MPs, including Raghav Chadha and Swati Maliwal, they have not resorted to “abusive language and never created any indiscipline and unparliamentary conduct”. Vice President C P Radhakrishnan has approved the merger of seven Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs with the BJP
1 days ago
Good news for all of the Indian travellers! Travel Saga Holidays has launched its amazing International Visa service for Indian travellers. The visa application process is not very easy for Indians, no matter the destination they have chosen. So
1 days ago
