By Aafaque Hussain
“Adrenaline is the fuel, and the sky’s the limit” and when you are soaring above the skies of Meghalaya, with its breathtaking hills and misty mountains, every thrill-seeker finds their home in the clouds.
Meghalaya, with its lush green valleys, azure mountains, and scenic waterbodies, has already carved a name for itself as one of India’s most picturesque destinations and soon, tourists will be able to experience the enchanting beauty of the state from hundreds of feet above the ground—thanks to the Meghalaya Paragliding Association (MPA) which has decided to revive the adventure sport of paragliding in the state under strict safety supervision by professional pilots.
While paragliding is already popular in destinations like Goa and Uttarakhand, the idea of introducing this sport in Meghalaya was first mooted back in 2009. However, the plan could not materialise then due to several challenges and administrative bottlenecks.
That setback, however, was far from the end. Over the last few years, the Meghalaya Paragliding Association has been working quietly to revive the sport. The association, comprising enthusiasts and professional pilots, is now all set to launch paragliding in a big way.
The President of the Association, Nickolai Singh, a professional pilot and former Indian Air Force personnel, has performed numerous rescue operations and participated in various air events across India.
He first attempted to launch paragliding in Shillong during 2009–10 but was unable to succeed due to a lack of support and multiple hurdles.
Now, joined by fellow pilots from the Indian Army and local enthusiasts, Singh is determined to put Meghalaya firmly on the paragliding map of India.
While the thrill of soaring through the skies is at the heart of the sport, Singh emphasised that safety remains the Association’s top priority. “We are determined to have the best and safest equipment, along with trained manpower, to provide the safest flight experience to tourists and locals,” he said.
Having flown for over 14 years across India—including rescue and promotional operations—Singh expressed his excitement at finally bringing his passion home.
“We would love to invite tourists and locals to do joyrides and even learn, as flying in Meghalaya will give the best experience to people since we have high mountains and scenic geography,” he said.
To kick-start the initiative, the Association is planning to conduct a paragliding competition in Shillong within this year , which will see participation from pilots of the Army, Air Force, and other parts of the country.
Several potential sites have been identified for the sport, including Rapleng and Mawlyndep, both of which have been recognised as ideal take-off zones where local and defence pilots already practice regularly.
When asked about safety, Singh explained, “Paramotoring and paragliding are actually safer than helicopters and flights. Even if something goes wrong, a rescue parachute is attached, and the pilot is guided by a ground team through walkie-talkies. In my 15 years of flying experience, I have never used the rescue.”
Unlike popular destinations such as Bir Billing, Uttarakhand, and Goa—where unregulated operations have occasionally led to fatal accidents due to pilot negligence or intoxication—the MPA is uncompromising on safety norms.
Initiated by an ex–Indian Air Force personnel, and operating in collaboration with the Army’s flying team, the Association enforces strict protocols to ensure that Meghalaya’s skies remain safe.
All instructors and crew members must undergo a mandatory medical test every three months, while trainees are required to submit medical fitness certificates before beginning their training courses.
The General Secretary of the Association, Bajop Pyngrope, said, “It was a couple of years ago when a group of pilots from Meghalaya came together and decided to set the ball rolling for paragliding in the state. Paragliding is something new in Meghalaya and the North East, and since our state has huge potential in tourism, this adventure sport will only boost the tourism sector.”
Apart from operating joyrides for tourists and locals, the Association plans to train local youths and establish its presence nationally and globally. However, Bajop admitted that the sport is expensive, with high equipment costs, and the Association is planning to seek sponsorship and support from the Meghalaya Government.
The sport has already begun attracting young enthusiasts. While paragliding was once a rare sight in Shillong, many local youths had been travelling outside the state to learn the skill.
One such enthusiast, Maxwell Pyngrope, learned paragliding in Mumbai last year and has since performed in several events across Shillong and beyond.
“We are a seven-member team, and all of us have knowledge of flying. I feel we can definitely promote this event as it will boost tourism. People in Meghalaya are naturally adventurous, and once they fly, they’ll understand the thrill of life—you simply can’t back off,” he said.
Another pilot, Jovial L. Laloo, who took up flying in 2019, said, “It soon became my dream, and with consistency, I have reached this level. I am trying to achieve expert-level proficiency, and since we have huge mountains and amazing scenery, paragliding is bound to take its leap in Meghalaya.”
The recently revived Meghalaya Paragliding Association includes Nickolai Singh as president, along with Maxwell Pyngrope as Vice President, Former MDC Bajop Pyngope as the General Secretary and Christopher Nongrum as the Joint Secretary. Other team members include John Lucky I Nonglait as the Treasurer while Aldous Mawkhroh as the Auditor and Jovial Laloo as the executive Member of the Association.
With the skies of Meghalaya soon to be filled with colourful gliders and the echoes of adventure, the state is ready to add yet another feather to its tourism crown this time, one that soars high above the clouds.
