| Rachael, CMS College, Kottayam |
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The 1st professional woman sky diver of India, Rachael from Kottayam, has been honoured with Padmashree for her achievements. Including the unforgettable jump into the -55oC cold of North Pole, she has made at least 700 sky-dives.
49-year-old Rachael was born as second of 2 girls to Alex Itticheriya and Elizabeth of Chackalayil family who lived by the side of CMS College, Kottayam. Her attention got affixed to sky-diving after she married Colonel Paliyath Thomas of Chertala and came to live in Agra. A noted presence in the sky-diving field since 1979, her name has been included in the Limca Book of Records for the most number of jumps.
A public relations officer of Northern Railway, Rachael has demonstrated her talents during Seoul Olympics, King Hussain Memorial Friendship Jump etc.
It was on April 14, 2002 that she dived into the silent valley of ice at North Pole. Traveling at the speed of 180 miles per hour in -55oC cold was an unforgettable moment of her life, she says.
Many accolades have come to this woman of adventure. In 1994, she was honoured with the National Adventure award and in 1995, with the Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini award.
Her daughter Annie Thomas is a noted model and a former Femina Miss India. Her son Dennis is a business executive.
Courtesy: R.Gireesh Kumar, Mathrubhumi, January 26, 2005
Contributed by: Administrator
