Divyanshu Ganatra + Avi Malik
Divyanshu Ganatra & Avi Malik |
A few weeks ago Divyanshu Ganatra inspired people all over the country by becoming India’s first solo visually challenged pilot. His story was widely covered and touched the hearts of many. It is a huge pleasure for us to host him and his flying instructor Avi Malik, from Temple Pilots, as they share their inspirations and story with us.
Both Divyanshu and Avi have taken time out from their busy work and flying schedules to be with us.
Date: Friday, 30th May, 2014
Time: 6.45 pm
Divyanshu met Avi and Anita Malik from Temple Pilots at their home a few weeks back with a simple request – he wanted to fly. The only challenge was that he was visually challenged. Avi said ‘yes’ with all his heart. Now, the task of the mind began. After 5 days of training, ground school, one on one intense sessions with Avi and the team, and many hours at the flying site –Divyanshu completed his historic successful solo flight. It is no less a feat than the first climber on Mt. Everest. He is the first one to do this in India.
In Divyanshu’s words:
When you come to the edge of light, and are about to take off into the unknown: Trust and faith is knowing that Temple Pilots will give you something solid to stand on, and wings to fly! Thank you for helping break all stereotypes, limits and barriers and opening the loving blue skies to me forever. You guys make flying so easy and safe that anyone can do it with their eyes closed! We just proved it!
About Divyanshu: Divyanshu Ganatra is a clinical psychologist, educationist and researcher. He is self- motivated, enthusiastic and endowed with an insatiable thirst for learning. It is this drive that has led him to accumulate experiences in the diverse fields of human potential optimization, rational thinking & positive psychology, IT for empowerment, personality development, counseling & therapy, psychometric evaluation, scientific research et al. He is trained in Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy and Adlerian therapy from Malta, Europe.
The winner of the “National Award” for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities by the Honorable Vice President of India, as best self-employed entrepreneur of the year, Divyanshu is also the co-founder, trustee as also past vice-president of the Disability Network. He has worked in the field of IT for five years and worked as senior HR executive in TATA Serwizol. He was awarded “Ten Outstanding Young Indians Award,” for personal accomplishments and achievements, by JC’s, an International Youth Organization. He is a mountaineer and adventure sports buff. He is a voracious reader with over five thousand books in his personal collection! He also makes and plays electronic-drums as a hobby.
About Avi: Avi Malik is effectively the most qualified Instructor in the country today. APPI International’s only Master Instructor in India, Avi is a Qualified and Certified Tandem Instructor, Acro Trainer, XC (Cross Country) Instructor and SIV Instructor.He is also a Qualified & Certified Paramotoring Instructor with APPI PPG, Switzerland.
For Avi, who grew up in a reputed sports school in Haryana, sports was where the fun was…basketball, swimming and even theatre. His being in the top three in the NDA entrance, winning the prestigious Presidents Gold Medal and being chosen for the IAF as a Fighter Pilot came so naturally that it seemed as if he were destined to make the skies his home. Avi is simply a flier. He is at home in the sky…and his love for flying comes through to all his students whom he shares it with. His one burning passion is to get more and more people flying with him and tasting the magic of nature and oneness that he lives by.
