Adventure at Mechukha, Arunachal Pradesh 2017
Mechukha

Adventure at Mechukha is an annual event held at Mechukha (Menchukha) in the West Siang district of the North Eastern State of Arunachal Pradesh – ‘The Land of the rising sun’ in India.

The 5th Adventure@Mechukha event was held from 23-25 November 2017. The event was organised by Department of Tourism, Government of Arunachal Pradesh and Centre for Cultural Research & Documentation (CCRD), Naharlagu headed by Mrs. Moyir Ribba along with Shri P. D. Sona, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Government of Arunachal Pradesh.

Adventure Zone’s Raju Rai was given the responsibility to coordinate paragliding activities which was headed by Vijay Sonam, President, Paragliding Association of Arunachal. For the first time an International Paragliding Accuracy Competition was held along with promotional Tandem Joyride flights. The 3 day Accuracy event saw paragliding pilots from across the country and from the neighboring country of Nepal competing and demonstrating their landing skills.

Sanjay Pendurkar of Indus Paragliding was the Event Director and the event was judged by Surain Gurung from Nepal.

Along with the trophies for the winners there was also a prize money of ₹ 60,000, 30,000 & 20,000 for the First, Second and Third MEN winners and ₹ 30,000, 20,000 & 10,000 for WOMEN winners respectively.

The winners are:

WOMEN:
1st – Foram Pandya (India)
2nd – Rupa Devi Karki (India)
3rd – Cheden Bhutia (India)

MEN:
1st – Bishal Bdr Chettri (Nepal)
2nd – Narayan Parajuli (Nepal)
3rd – Suresh Thapa (Nepal)

The winners were awarded at a grand closing ceremony held on 25th November 2017 by Shri P. D. Sona, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Government of Arunachal Pradesh. The event was also graced by the Bollywood Actor John Abraham.

 

Magnificent view of the Mechukha valley above the take-off
Magnificent view of the Mechukha valley from the take-off
Sikkim female pilot Cheden Bhutia - taking off at Mechukha
Sikkim female pilot Cheden Bhutia – taking off at Mechukha
Foram Pandya from Mumbai
Foram Pandya from Mumbai
Raju Rai - Take-off Marshal and Paragliding Event co-ordinator
Raju Rai – Take-off Marshal and Paragliding Event coordinator
Hitting bulls-eye !!!
Hitting bulls-eye !!!
Checking accuracy
Checking accuracy
Event Meet Director - Sanjay Pendurkar and Vijay Sonam, President, Paragliding Association of Arunachal Pradesh
Event Meet Director – Sanjay Pendurkar and Vijay Sonam, President, Paragliding Association of Arunachal Pradesh
Participants and crew of the Accuracy Competition posing for a group picture with Bollywood Actor, John Abraham at the Closing and Award Ceremony on 25th November 2017.
Participants and crew of the Accuracy Competition posing for a group picture with Bollywood Actor, John Abraham at the Closing and Award Ceremony on 25th November 2017.