Event Details

Meena, Rupa, Richa, Sapna, Nikki, Rena, Amrisha, Pooja & Ishan are delighted to announce their forthcoming event, OKA Group Skydive:             


Post Event Update 

17 Aug 2016, Richa Verma

The day dawned and it was time for a usually sensible motley bunch to jump out of a perfectly good plane at 12,000 feet. 

The motivation for this madness was raising money for One Kind Act. In keeping with OKA's ethos we paid for our own tandem skydives so all money donated would go directly to the needy. Sponsorship surpassed expectations with over £5000 raised. We were delighted but there was also no turning back now.

We arrived in Cambridgeshire on a warm but cloudy morning and without a second thought signed our lives away on the disclaimer forms.

Having been told we would probably be waiting over four hours, we settled down to eat and chat.  Impending terror and fear of life situations, we later realised, leads to some interesting, very open discussions.  Chatham house rules apply though and no more will be said!

Training was a brief 10 minutes and prompted one keen observer to comment the parachute harnesses hanging on the ceiling belonged more in a BDSM dungeon.  Cue further interesting discussion.

And then it was time.  Wear jumpsuit, meet instructor you would be strapped to, hope he smelt nice, put on unflattering cap, say a prayer as instructed by elders, take pictures conscious of unflattering cap, climb into rickety little plane, tell yourself to be in the moment and not think ahead to why you were sitting on floor of said plane.

We took off.  The real madness started with inane chit chat.  "I'm from North London".  "I work for the council actually".  "It’s been a nice warm day hasn't it?".

We were climbing to 12,000 feet to jump out and they were making quintessentially British, polite conversation.  Shouldn't they be asking if you remembered the parachute, what would we do if we got detached mid-air, have you made a will?  Clearly work was needed on stiffening my upper lip.

The door opened and the first lot fell out.  For those who have not experienced fellow passengers falling out of your plane, it is not recommended.  It makes the stomach lurch in new and unexpected ways.

Then we shuffled to the open door and I was sitting on the edge of possible destruction with my legs hanging out.  Every cell in my body, every instinct I had was screaming not to jump.  It goes against every primal survival instinct.

We fell out.  Then came accelerated free fall up to 120mph: fast, intense and all consuming.  In that moment, all of life, the world, the universe were in my body, my mind and emotions.  In a way, it reminded me of those lucid dreams you have when sleeping where you’re flying, but only better because this time it was real.  Later the others would agree it was the moment they would never forget; those 45 seconds of free fall through the skies.  It is an indescribable euphoria.

Our parachute opened and suddenly all became still and calm.  The ground beneath was clear with perfect visibility. I looked down, I looked into the horizon and felt so small. As we floated gently down to Earth I felt insignificant and utterly free.

To quote a friend on the day- "in the moment there really is a place which is so surreal and nothing matters but the way you feel "

In that moment you witness the glorious fullness of life. 

Unexpected things we learnt doing a skydive:

- clouds have a taste

- hundreds of baby spiders live in the airfield and love the smell of our hair

- God exists in free fall

- some land elegantly, some land on their face

- sometimes you can't hear yourself scream 

- doing something scary can paradoxically de-stress you

- you understand birds


Event Details 

One Kind Act's associate member Meena Dhawan has had "doing a skydive" on her bucket list for a long time. The time has now come and she is ready to do something about it.  What better impetus than to raise money for One Kind Act (OKA) with its ethos of living your life and having fun while making the world a better place. 

Her enthusiasm has been so infectious that 2 more associates and 6 supporters have signed up for the adventure in the hope of raising money for this worthy charity.

On Sunday 14 August 2016 Meena, Rupa, Richa, Sapna, Nikki, Rena, Amrisha, Pooja and Ishan will be driving up to the North London Skydiving Centre based in March, Cambridgeshire  for this exhilarating experience  for OKA.

Please sponsor them and give generously, even a couple of pounds can make a difference.  All proceeds will go into OKA’s current projects of caring for abandoned children in Africa, feeding neglected elderly people in India and feeding the homeless in London.

About One Kind Act

One Kind Act Changes Communities and lives of others globally who suffer as a result of Poverty of Health, Nutrition and Education and may have Fallen Through The Net of the larger charities. Learn More here








Comments

Richa Varma
Jul 11, 2016

Thanks Archna, and for the sweet message. Rajesh Sharma's opinion: - "Madness prevails even if it is for a worthy cause"! Thank you for a generous £50 towards the madness. x

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    " Many congratulations Richa and crew! From Miti, Mehul, Sheena & Sonia xx "
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    " Well done! "
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    16-Aug-2016 07:58

    " What a great way to conquer your fears Nikki .Congratulations to the rest of you ladies on your bravery and incredible achievement. "
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    15-Aug-2016 23:38

    " Well done. Great work. "
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    " Well done Meena and the team. Big Congratulations!! Love Dave and the family "
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    " Well done to you xxx "
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    " Best of luck! From the Thakrars "
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    " Enjoy ishlu! And it's for a great cause! Gx "
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    " Best of luck Poojy! Brave thing you're doing in the name of charity. Lots of love Trish and Ben xx "
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    14-Aug-2016 10:44

    " Good luck everyone, stay safe! x "
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    " Good luck guys! Rather you than me! I'm sure it will be an amazing experience, Neena and Ashwin "
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    14-Aug-2016 10:08

    " Very good luck to everyone. Keep up with the good work. All the best- Varmas "
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    " Good luck Nikki- you can do it!!!xxxx "
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    " Good luck our friends and enjoy the adventure! Lover Naina & Amit x! "
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    13-Aug-2016 23:13

    " Good luck pooj and the rest of the oka gang!! Xx "
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    13-Aug-2016 21:53

    " Good luck nik and rupa!! Lots of love Dipak, Dina, Tamanna and Umang "
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    " Wishing you all the best of luck guys....rather you then me....Seema and Ajay "
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    13-Aug-2016 18:46

    " GO AMRISHA!!! "
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    " Well done and enjoy it ladies. Reema x "
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    13-Aug-2016 15:52

    " How exciting!!!! Good luck "
  • Ash Samani
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    13-Aug-2016 15:42

    " Hi Nikita & Rupa All the best for the jump! Hope it's a perfect landing! Ash & Kiren "
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    13-Aug-2016 15:05

    " Dearest Rena, Meena, Ishan and the rest of the group skydive - wishing you all the best of luck and a great time! Enjoy it - sounds amazing! xxx Varsha and Girdhar "
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    13-Aug-2016 12:18

    " From all of us next door. Hope you have a great experience and all for a worthy cause. Best wishes. Mark carol Sean and Claire "
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    13-Aug-2016 11:12

    " Good luck Rupa, Nikita and all the other jumpers. "
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    " GOOD LUCK RUPA AND NIKITA FROM MEHUL SAMANI "
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    12-Aug-2016 21:34

    " All the best Rupa and Nikki, enjoy the views from up there! Love the Motalibs and Mini Motos xx "
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    12-Aug-2016 21:00

    " So impressed - enjoy ! "
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    12-Aug-2016 20:48

    " #She flies like a bird in the sky... :) "
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    12-Aug-2016 20:24

    " Lots Of Luck and Love from Taruna "
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    " Wishing Rena, Ishan and all the erst good luck xxx "
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    " You are all so brave!! Well done to you all. Lots and lots of love Ana & Meena xxx "
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    " Fantastic effort "
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    " Rupa and Nikki, Good luck and enjoy the fall, Alka, Sonz, Rik and Ketan "
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    " Well done Rupa, great cause. Good luck on Sunday! "
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    10-Aug-2016 17:27

    " Good luck to you all for taking a dive for OKA how brave you all are "
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    " What an amazing thing you are doing for One Kind Act ....... so in awe of all you brave people! "
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    " Great use and a Great cause guys! Hats off to you! X "
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    " Well done Pooja!! Amazing!!! xx "
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    " All the best to everyone jumping!!!!! "
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    " Good luck everyone. "
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    08-Aug-2016 16:04

    " Richa, say Gayatri Mantra before jumping, land safely and don't do this again. "
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    " Well done to everyone for doing this - totally in awe of you all & wishing you all good luck - a brilliant cause x "
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    " Go for it Meena and fly as free as a bird.....'Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” Enjoy your day! Love Janakh., Raju and Romi "
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    " Good Luck Meenu bhua... sure you'll have a wonderful experience....have fun Lots of love Aastha & Sapan "
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    " All d best bhuaa "
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    " All the best, enjoy ur jump best wishes from Nimmi and family xx "
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    " Good luck Rupa & Nikki and the rest of you. You brave people xx "
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    " It will be a superb experience - enjoy it "
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    03-Aug-2016 09:02

    " Good luck to Mum, Sis, Ishy, Aunty Rena, Aunty Meena, Aunty Richa, Aunty Rupa, Nikki, Pooja and all of you for an amazing challenge for an amazing cause. Amar "
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    02-Aug-2016 20:16

    " Good luck Meena, have a great experience :) lots of love Pradeep & Deepa Nayar "
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    " you're crazy but brave! good luck Richa and all... Smirti & Sunil "
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    " Good Luck everyone! Especially Rena & Ishan. In total awe of you all for doindg this. Priya, Deepak, Rohan, Serena & Eshan xx "
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    " Good luck meena bhabhi may sai b with u n plz come bck safe love u lots "
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    28-Jul-2016 20:07

    " Good luck Ish!! It'll be an amazing experience! xxx "
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    27-Jul-2016 21:29

    " Do your thing ishi "
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    22-Jul-2016 18:42

    " Good luck Meena!! Can't wait to see the pics!! "
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    20-Jul-2016 22:11

    " From Soni Family with love xxx best of luck you nutters "
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    20-Jul-2016 10:15

    " Big fan of this charity and its causes - but an even bigger fan of you guys who do so much for it! We will be rooting for you. Have fun! Rikin, Deeps & Anya Hargunani x "
  • Meena Dewan
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    16-Jul-2016 16:50

    " So proud of you Meena, we will be cheering you on ! Good Luck and enjoy the experience. Lots of Love, Ravi & Neelam Kohli, "
  • Meena Dewan
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    16-Jul-2016 16:45

    " Om Sai Ram, may Sai Bless you all for such a worthy cause. Very proud of you Meena. Arun & Rekha Duggal "
  • Meena Dewan
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    16-Jul-2016 16:43

    " Good Luck Meena, " Break a leg " rather you than me ! Ajay & Rita Sagar "
  • Meena Dewan
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    16-Jul-2016 16:40

    " Brave or mad, not sure, but you go Girl !! Rahul & Deepa Nayar "
  • Meena Dewan
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    16-Jul-2016 16:36

    " Good Luck Meena ! Deepak & Poonam Thapur "
  • Neil
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    16-Jul-2016 11:42

    " Great cause! Can't wait to hear how it went x "
  • Kamy Gulrajani
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    15-Jul-2016 14:19

    " Good Luck to all of you and very proud of Ishan and Rena, for following in Alisha's footsteps for taking the plunge and helping others. x "
  • Himali Devani
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    15-Jul-2016 12:37

    " Dr Ishan & Rena you are stark raving mad. Whatever happened to keeping ones feet on the ground. Very Brave and for excellent cause. Best of Luck "
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    14-Jul-2016 15:36

    " Good luck guys - you're all far braver than me! "
  • Divya Salter
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    13-Jul-2016 23:48

    " Good luck Richa! You managed a bunjee jump...so this will be a breeze! "
  • Chris Monks
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    13-Jul-2016 17:01

    " Good Luck Rupa "
  • Shamit Malhotra
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    13-Jul-2016 15:35

    " Wow frstly thanks to Meena for organising, to my wife Rena and son ishan for thier immense courage and my lovley friends Rupa, Nikki Richa, Sapna and anyone else I missed! "
  • Rohit Malhotra
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    13-Jul-2016 15:21

    " Rena and Ishan an amzing job for such a worthy cause. Wishing you both all the best- Rohit "
  • Prama
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    13-Jul-2016 13:29

    " Go Richa!!! "
  • Santosh Kad
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    13-Jul-2016 12:54

    " So proud of you Meena, keep up the good work. Good Luck to everyone diving with you. God Bless you all. Santosh Kad xx "
  • Jas Phull
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    13-Jul-2016 12:34

    " Hey Renuki & Ishan, wishing you both the very best on your latest fund raising challenge. Enjoyyyyyyyyy......!!! Also, best of luck to all the others taking part ! "
  • Rishi Dhawan
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    13-Jul-2016 12:20

    " Good luck Mum, love you xx "
  • Vidhur Mehra
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    13-Jul-2016 12:12

    " Ishan well done for another brave kind act from the Malhotra family. Hope it goes well. Best wishes from the less brave Mehra family "
  • Long Huynh
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    13-Jul-2016 07:24

    " Good luck Meena! "
  • Alisha Malhotra
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    12-Jul-2016 19:36

    " Thank you for doing this Mum and Ishan I love you both xxx Alisha "
  • Rajivkundra
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    12-Jul-2016 19:16

    " Good on you Min. Go girl! "
  • Raghav Varma
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    12-Jul-2016 05:50
  • Fiya Mir
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    12-Jul-2016 02:28

    " Proud of you Ishy, you're that statistic everyone talks about x "
  • Uday Bhardwaj
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    11-Jul-2016 23:07

    " Good luck with the jump Richa "
  • Jasmin
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    11-Jul-2016 22:41

    " Good luck Ishlu! :) "
  • Hamza
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    11-Jul-2016 21:28

    " Good luck Ishan! Just make sure you use that pen grip on the parachute and then I'm sure you will be fine! Hamza "
  • Annie
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    11-Jul-2016 20:40

    " Ishan you're completely mad, but this is amazing. Best of luck b x "
  • Mamta Chhabra
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    11-Jul-2016 18:51

    " Go for it Richa. Time to paint the sky red as well. Lots of love "
  • Archana Bhandari
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    11-Jul-2016 17:25

    " Wow Richa! Always an inspiration! Good Luck! x "
  • Yatish Varma
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    11-Jul-2016 17:11

    " What a wonderful experience Richa have fun! "