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Veena Birajadar
 This
20-year old believes in taking calculated
risks. Trekking, rappelling, climbing
mountain peaks, river rafting, parasailing,
paragliding, marching in the NCC contingent
at the Republic Day Parade in Delhi, she
has done it all. And,yes, she also has a
diploma in Bharatnatyam. We managed to get
this 'Chhota Jawan' (pet name given
to her by the NCC Officers) to take some
time off from her busy schedule and answer
a few of our questions.
What are you presently doing?
I am doing my P.G. in Mass Communication
from Symbiosis.
 How
did you get attracted to all these adventurous
activities?
During my schooldays I had attended
a camp and enjoyed myself thoroughly. Eversince,
I have been hooked on to outdoor activities.
How did you get into NCC? You were
also selected to attend the Republic Day
Parade held at New Delhi, tell us something
about it?
Once when I was coming home from
school, I saw the NCC cadets in their uniforms
and decided to join the NCC too. As a NCC
cadet I represented my contingent in the
Solo Dance Competition and won a gold medal
at the state level competition. This victory
lead to my being selected for the Republic
Day Parade. Attending this grand parade
is a dream come true for every cadet, as
the selection is very tough and the competition
from across the country intense. I have
very fond memories of the event as cadets
from Maharashtra were declared the overall
champions for the third year in succession.
 What
are the camps that you have attended?
Nehru Institute of Mountaineering
(NIM) invited me for a basic camp at
Uttarkashi. It was a 25-day training camp
which included rock-climbing; snow climbing
anchoring with ice axes and rappelling down
mountainsides, all with 25 kilo packs on
our back. This camp ended with an expedition
to Mt. Sudarshan that is 21,000 feet high.
Within next three months I was called for
the Advanced Course, I was one of the 14
girls selected from across the country.
Were you aware of the risks that these
activities involve?
Yes, I was aware about the risks,
but then it is very much a part of the game.
There are risks in every field, and if one
is afraid of taking risk then God save that
person.
Have you had any accidents?
Yes, once when I was paragliding,
there was a very strong wind,  just
when I was about to take off and the two
people who were holding the ropes had unknowingly
left them loose. The parachute immediately
filled up with air and with a "Whoosh"
it went at an angle so that I fell down
and went rolling down the hill. The instructor
with great presence of mind cut off the
ropes, which reduced my injuries to scratches
and bruises. I was completely shaken up
after the incident.
Don't your parents stop you? Do they
know about these incidents?
My parents are very supportive,
they trust me a lot. However I did not tell
them about this accident as they may start
worrying.
Why isn't this sport popular in India?
Firstly because of the risks involved
and secondly the equipments are very costly.
 What
is the advice you would give parents whose
children are keen to take up adventure sports?
Basically, parents are very possessive
about their children and they don't want
them to end up in any kind of danger. In
India, most parents chalk out their child's
future for them. They are keen to see them
take up safe and conventional careers such
as as Doctors, Engineers and Accountants
and the grooming starts from the day the
child starts attending school. My request
to parents is to give their children the
freedom to make their own decisions. Leave
them to take risks, as that will toughen
them up in life.
Where do you hangout?
I hate hanging out or wasting time.
My parents have taught me that time is very
valuable and one should not waste it at
any point in life.
For someone who only 'hangs out' when
she is para gliding, Veena is refreshingly
different from other youngsters
her age.
Interview by: Prasad Hiranwar
Photo Courtesy: Veena Birajadar
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