Chasing the Wind: The Story of Manipal Aerosports

 

My Journey from Corporate Routine to the Freedom of Flight

When I was transferred to Chennai, life slowly began to feel unbearable. The heat was relentless, the humidity unforgiving, and the mosquitoes seemed to wage a personal war against me. Every day felt the same — hot, sweaty, and stifling. I missed Manipal terribly. I missed the breeze, the greenery, the peace.

Somewhere in that discomfort, a deeper frustration grew. I began questioning what I was really doing with my life. Was this it? Was this all I was meant for — deadlines, air-conditioned cabins, and evenings spent escaping heat?

I longed for something meaningful, something that made me feel alive again.

The Discovery That Changed Everything

One evening, while scrolling through the internet in search of flying opportunities near Chennai — perhaps out of restlessness, or perhaps destiny — I stumbled upon something called paramotoring.

The idea struck me instantly. It felt different. It felt like freedom.
Without overthinking, I called the pilot, booked a slot for the weekend, and he sent me a location pin.

Reaching there was a journey in itself — four long hours through highway traffic on the way to Pondicherry, inching forward, questioning my decision, yet driven by a strange excitement.

And then… I flew.

We took off from the beach, the wind lifted us, and in that moment, everything changed. As I soared over the vast blue sea, watching waves curl beneath me, I felt the joy I had been missing for years. I recorded a video of the five-minute flight, uploaded it on YouTube, and couldn’t stop thinking:

If this feeling can change my life, imagine what it could do for the people in Udupi.

Because Udupi wasn’t just home — it had stunning beaches, mangroves, backwaters, and the perfect setting for paramotor joyrides. A vision started forming in my mind.

Taking the Leap

After weeks of reflection, courage finally outweighed fear. I resigned from my job in Chennai.
By June, the monsoon had taken over the country, but my determination only intensified.

I trained rigorously in paramotoring, learned the craft, and began the long process of applying for permissions. The District Administration granted approval for test flying to assess whether Udupi Beach was suitable.

That first test flight over Udupi — the wind, the coastline, the feeling of coming home — confirmed everything I believed.
Soon after, we received full permission to begin operations.

And just like that, Manipal Aerosports was born.

The day I watched my friends take their first flights from Udupi Beach will remain one of the most emotional moments of my life. It felt as if a dream I once whispered to myself had taken flight in front of my eyes.

The Journey Ahead

But entrepreneurship doesn’t come with a “happily ever after.”
It comes with challenges, especially when the product is new and the market untested.

Marketing paramotor joyrides became the next mountain to climb.
Suddenly the world was obsessed with social media, algorithms, reels, AI tools, and digital storytelling. There was so much to learn, and the learning never stopped.

But that’s the beauty of this journey.

I didn’t choose it because it was easy.
I chose it because it made me feel alive.

My story didn’t end with comfort — it began with curiosity, courage, and a willingness to keep learning. Every day now brings new possibilities, new challenges, and new reasons to stay passionate.

And that, I believe, is the real adventure.