top of page

By:

Correspondent

23 August 2024 at 4:29:04 pm

Olympic Speed Climbing Champion Sam Watson to Visit Mumbai

Mumbai: When Sam Watson sprints up a 15-metre wall, the world seems to slow down. The 19-year-old American speed climber, an Olympic medallist from Paris 2024 and current world-record holder at 4.64 seconds, has become the face of one of the world’s fastest-growing sports. On November 2, he will trade competition arenas for Mumbai’s High Rock in Powai, offering a rare day of workshops and conversations with India’s burgeoning community of climbers. Speed climbing, once a fringe pursuit of...

Olympic Speed Climbing Champion Sam Watson to Visit Mumbai

Mumbai: When Sam Watson sprints up a 15-metre wall, the world seems to slow down. The 19-year-old American speed climber, an Olympic medallist from Paris 2024 and current world-record holder at 4.64 seconds, has become the face of one of the world’s fastest-growing sports. On November 2, he will trade competition arenas for Mumbai’s High Rock in Powai, offering a rare day of workshops and conversations with India’s burgeoning community of climbers. Speed climbing, once a fringe pursuit of mountaineers, now stands as one of the Olympics’ most electrifying disciplines. The sport demands not just power and agility but precision measured in hundredths of a second. Watson, often hailed as the greatest speed climber of all time, has repeatedly rewritten the record books. His visit marks a milestone for India’s fledgling climbing scene. High Rock, the city’s first commercial climbing facility, opened its walls in December 2024 and has since drawn more than 10,000 enthusiasts. It represents the country’s growing fascination with vertical sports and a reflection of a global shift toward adventure and athleticism fused with technology and training science. During his visit, Sam Watson will conduct Masterclasses for both Kids and Adults, offering a rare opportunity for amateur climbers to learn directly from a global champion and experience his unmatched energy and technique up close. Watson will be joined by Matt Groom, the Official Lead Commentator for the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC). Known as the voice of IFSC World Cups and World Championships, Groom will host a 30-minute talk at High Rock on ‘The Evolution of Climbing in Competitive Sport.’ His insights promise to provide a deep look into the transformation of climbing from niche adventure to Olympic spectacle. Event: Sam Watson, Olympic Medalist and current World Record holder at High Rock Date: November 2, 2025 Location: High Rock, Powai, Mumbai

Breaking barriers, shaping the future

The nine days of Navratri celebrate goddesses who embody strength in different forms; valour, compassion, creativity, austerity, devotion, justice, protection, forgiveness and wisdom. In our annual Navratri series, we celebrate the lives of nine women who strive to build happy and safe spaces for themselves and those around them. 


Part - 1


Name: Sita Devi | Where: Karnal, Haryana
Name: Sita Devi | Where: Karnal, Haryana

In Haryana, a state once infamous for its deep gender imbalance and harsh restrictions on women, stories of modern-day Shakti are unfolding. Among the most inspiring is that of Sita Devi from Karnal district — now renowned as “Namo Drone Didi.”


Armed with a drone and a vehicle, Sita has become a symbol of empowerment, resilience, and the breaking of barriers. After 15 days of intensive, free drone-pilot training in Gurugram through government programs run by IFFCO, Sita Devi started working in farms and fields, spraying pesticides and earns Rs 400 per acre. For her, the drone is not just a tool of livelihood but a symbol of flight — an ascent into independence and dignity.


The journey was far from easy. Leaving home for training was daunting, and balancing household duties with new responsibilities posed challenges. But her husband, Khushiram, stood firmly by her side, encouraging her to step beyond tradition. Sita credits his support and government schemes for giving her the confidence to adopt technology and pursue opportunities outside the home. Now, she not only contributes financially but also secures quality education for her children.


Her efforts have drawn national attention. Recognition from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior leaders has amplified her role as a pioneer. Yet, her real achievement lies in inspiring other rural women. Seeing Sita command a drone in the fields challenges stereotypes and sparks dreams that that, women, too, can master machines and embrace innovation. Today, Haryana has 108 “Drone Didis” like Sita, each one rewriting the story of what women can do in agriculture and beyond.


The backdrop makes this transformation more striking. In 2014, Haryana’s sex ratio was a shocking 871 women per 1,000 men. Campaigns like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao raised it to 923 by 2019, but by 2024 it had slipped back to 910. The numbers remind us that progress is fragile — and that true equality requires more than statistics. It demands visible, lived change in the lives of women.


Sita Devi embodies this change. Her husband calls the scheme “transformative,” enabling women to make productive contributions to society. Her story proves that when resilience meets opportunity, barriers collapse. Haryana’s Drone Didis are not just economic contributors; they are modern embodiments of Shakti, rising above centuries-old restrictions to lead their communities forward.


During Navratri, as we worship the Goddess in her many forms, stories like Sita Devi’s remind us that Shakti is not confined to temples or myths. It lives in women who seize the tools of progress — be it a plough, a book, or a drone — and use them to lift entire families and communities.


With each flight of her drone, Sita Devi sends a powerful message: empowered women are not just beneficiaries of change — they are the very force driving it.

Comments

bottom of page