Stories of young biker Siddharth Vasan: When our plane became a “firki” at Lukla airport
Doiwala's Siddharth, who rode for road safety, received honor from the Chief Minister seven times.
“Before starting the 30-minute air journey from Kathmandu to Lukla, I prayed to God, asking that everything remains fine for just 30 minutes. I often pray to God for something or the other. To be honest, everything was fine for 30 minutes, and then suddenly, the joy of all the passengers in the plane turned into a terrifying situation. The plane couldn’t land; it was gaining altitude again.”
“This was in April 2022. My wife and I were heading to Everest Base Camp via Kathmandu and Lukla to celebrate our first wedding anniversary.”
“We were about to land at Lukla Airport. I had heard that Lukla Airport in Nepal is one of the most dangerous airports in the world, but here, we were experiencing it firsthand.”
“To put it simply, the plane was like a spinning top, approaching the runway and then gaining altitude or flying far from it. The plane was shaking violently, a turbulence all the passengers could feel. The sound of stones pelting against the plane due to strong winds was loud and clear. It was like a scene from a Hollywood or South Indian action movie where a helicopter or plane spins and dives through the air.”
“The situation was uncontrollable and serious. Everyone was drenched in sweat. I started reciting the Hanuman Chalisa. My wife Nishtha couldn’t stop her tears. Even as I share this incident with you, my hair stands on end, recalling that moment.”
“Fortunately, we were all saved. All the passengers, including mountaineers heading to Everest, considered themselves lucky.”
I asked Nishtha, “Why were you crying?”
She replied, “When someone as strong as you starts reciting Hanuman Chalisa for safety, it shows how dangerous the situation really was.”
Famous 31-year-old bike rider Siddharth Vasan, a tax advocate by profession, shared this life-altering incident during the “Hum Bharat Ke Log” program.
“From Lukla, we chartered a plane to fly to Everest Base Camp. It was just me and my wife on the plane because we wanted to enjoy the natural beauty from our own windows, a sight that attracts people from all over the world.”
“It was so magnificent and unforgettable that I cannot even describe it in words. Everest, the highest mountain in the world, lives up to its reputation. Even from the base, its height is overwhelming. It’s as if it touches the sky. I am amazed by the mountaineers who conquer Everest.”
