Indian-Australian paraglider found dead in Mandi

Sanjay Kumar Ramdas, a 51-year-old paraglider of Indian descent who is residing in Australia, was found dead in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday.

Ramdas, a non-resident Indian (NRI), suffered severe injuries after crash landing in Duggli village during his flight. He started his flight from Bir Billing in Kangra valley and lost control of the glider during the landing.

Subsequently, the Mandi Police launched a search operation, six hours after which his body was found and brought to Joginder Nagar Civil hospital for postmortem.

Ramdas is the second paraglider to have died within one week. Earlier, Kok Choonk Na, a Singaporean paraglider who was missing since October 22, was found dead on October 23 in Bir Billing hills of Kangra valley.

A number of foreign and domestic paragliders have swarmed the valley in the run-up to the Paragliding Pre World Cup to be held in Bir Billing from November 27. Over 160 paragliders are expected to turn up for the three-day event.