Top Indian paraglider dies in midair mishap abroad, was key figure in sport's rise

Indian Express

08-07-2025

In the country's paragliding circuit, Vijay Soni was as good as they come. The Pune resident completed a 64-km cross-country flight back in 2000 that ignited national interest in the sport. He represented India in over 40 international competitions, including 10 prestigious category 1 events of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) — a feat no other Indian pilot had achieved.
Soni (53) passed away on July 5 following a mishap in North Macedonia. His family was told that he met with an accident midair during a practice free fly session. Soni had travelled there to represent India at the Flymaster Open paragliding competition, but he met his end a day before the event began. His family is now waiting for his body to be brought back.
Soni, who began his paragliding journey in 1996, was an instructor at Harley India Para School and later his own school, Orangelife, at Kamshet near Lonavala, where he trained thousands of students, including those from the Indian armed forces. He was instrumental in introducing accuracy paragliding to India, serving as a judge, event director, and technical advisor at numerous national championships.
Featured twice in Cross Country Magazine, and recognised by the Limca Book of Records, Soni set national milestones by becoming the first Indian to complete a 100.2 km FAI triangle flight (2009) and winning India's first paramotor competition (2001). Soni's death comes as a huge shock for his family. 'My father was known for taking calculated risks during paragliding. He would take extreme care to check the glider each time he flew. He had plans to participate in a series of paragliding events from July to September this year to maintain a good rank,' says his daughter Saloni (29).
The family is waiting for the results of the post-mortem. 'For now, we are engaged in completing the formalities to get our father's body back. It is a trying time for the family but my father's words helps us cope. He would always say, 'Whenever you're in trouble, just smile',' Saloni says.
'I have lost my champ. Vijay was among the top five paragliders in India,' recalled Rajan Juvekar, 64, a veteran paraglider who had trained Soni. 'Vijay had travelled to the UK to undertake an advanced certificate in paragliding instruction. I spoke to him a few days ago and he was so excited about one of his students, Alisha, who had done remarkably well in a few competitions. From there, he left for Macedonia,' Juvekar said.
Anuradha Mascarenhas is a journalist with The Indian Express and is based in Pune. A senior editor, Anuradha writes on health, research developments in the field of science and environment and takes keen interest in covering women's issues. With a career spanning over 25 years, Anuradha has also led teams and often coordinated the edition.
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