TAAS endorses Sikkim Paragliding Association

GANGTOK, 03 Nov: The freshly formed Sikkim Paragliding Association [SPA] has been assured full support from its chief architect, the Travel Agents Association of Sikkim [TAAS].
Floated by a group of young enterprising youth with paragliding skills, the SPA got registration from the State government recently and today was offered best wishes by TAAS president, Lukendra Rasaily and executive members of the apex body of tour operators in the State.
“Today is a big day for tourism in Sikkim as the SPA has been formed. Paragliding is a very important component of adventure tourism for the Northeast region. TAAS started promoting commercial paragliding in Sikkim since 2009. The initiative has been successful and we extend our gratitude to the tourism department especially former secretary, SBS Bhaduria for their support”, said Mr Rasaily during a function at the TAAS office here.
The SPA is headed by Bigyan Rai as its president while the other executive members are Chandra Prakash Pradhan [general secretary], Rajdeep Thapa [treasurer], Dhanman Tamang [vice president], Sudhan Chettri [secretary], Karka Bahadur Rai and Padam Bahadur Gurung.
Mr Rasaily said that TAAS has been supporting the youth with paragliding training and these youth now form the core of SPA. “We supported the youth to form SPA and helped them in drafting the constitution. TAAS has a piece of plot which will be handed over to SPA for running paragliding adventure sports. TAAS members will be guiding SPA and bringing them tourists”, he told the SPA executive members who had gathered at the TAAS office.
TAAS president suggested the SPA to start an institute so that they can not only train youth of Sikkim but also those from other Northeastern states. The SPA has a long distance to travel and it must begin by laying a small foundation first, he said.
After felicitating the SPA members, the TAAS president also handed a sum of Rs. 10,000 as a token of support to SPA to start its operations swiftly.
Thanking the TAAS and its president for their support, SPA general secretary, Chandra Prakash Pradhan said that the immediate priority for SPA will be do a recce of all spots in Sikkim feasible for paragliding.
 “We will scout feasible spots in Sikkim for paragliding and once we get the sites, we will train the local youth with support from the State government”, he said.
Mr Pradhan further informed that at present paragliding is being conducted from Thami Dara to Khel Gaon in Ranka hills and from Chakung to Jorethang.