ALOFT AND UNBOUND

"I wholeheartedly recommend "Aloft And Unbound" to anyone interested in exploring the wonders of paragliding or simply seeking an enjoyable read. Jigish's passion and authentic voice shine through these pages, and I am confident that you will find inspiration and delight within its covers. ."...

I feel honoured and touched when Jigish asked me to do the foreword for his book about the subject that is close to my heart. As someone whose life has been shaped by paragliding since the age of 14, I am a strong believer in the paragliding way of life and am passionate about sharing my love of the sport with others.

When I first read Jigish's book "Aloft And Unbound," I was immediately intrigued. I am always eager to see how authors describe the experience of paragliding, as it can be challenging to articulate what it is all about. I believe that Jigish has done a fantastic job of conveying what paragliding is and the various elements that accompany it, such as the people we encounter, the relationships we develop, the locations we visit, and the adventures we have.

I am delighted to witness a pilot who genuinely embodies a passion for the sport, eagerly sharing his knowledge and experiences with the next generation of pilots, which is a trait we both value and appreciate. Having known Jigish for a long time and having observed his journey as a pilot since he first came to Bir, I've witnessed the positive changes that flying has brought to his life. Like many of us, he transitioned from being a visitor to Bir to becoming an integral part of the community. If you ever visit Bir, Jigish would be happy to welcome you to his home at Aloft in Bir for a cup of tea and a friendly chat.

For pilots, in this book, you will be able to relate to a lot of the experiences, relationships, friendships, adventures, and stories told. There is also a lot of practical (and non-practical) info on the different flying sites around India with a little bit about the history and development of these sites, especially Bir, which, for many of us, holds a very special place in our hearts. Like Jigish, many pilots have made it their home. We also get a little bit of background and history of the Indian paragliding community.

For non-pilots, including family members or friends of paragliding pilots, this book offers a glimpse into why we are so enthusiastic about this sport and what it means to us. Whether it succeeds in conveying this message or not is up to the reader to determine after reading the book. The author blends adventure, experiences, personal stories, and insights, taking readers on a brief flight through our paragliding life with a pinch of quirky humour that I enjoyed immensely.

Whether you are a pilot or not, I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about paragliding life or who simply enjoys a good read.

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Debu Chaudhury

Paragliding Pilot

"This is a well-written book, and one that dares to be different. Highly recommended."...

Aloft and Unbound tells a story of paragliding from a completely different perspective. Jigish Gohil is an Indian paraglider pilot who now lives in Bir. The book opens with his first solo flight without any supervision, and a quick flashback to his training.

He then takes us on a journey through the experiences he has had mastering the art of paragliding, how it affects his choice of where to live, and some of the applications of Buddhist philosophy to flying. The sharp contrasts of learning and flying outside the Western European bubble we’ve come to know are some of the book’s most endearing points, and in this respect it’s very different from most of the paragliding books on the virtual shelves of the online book stores. There is no degree of isolationism though; he also talks about – and gives credit to – the external influences on Indian paragliding from other countries.

The book is nicely organised into bite-sized chapters so you can pick it up and put it down, but Jigish wants you to keep reading, and tempts you with a segue at the very end of each chapter into the next. He doesn’t take himself too seriously and makes jokes about his standing in the community, and how much he’ll make from writing the book (!).

Whilst a fair proportion of the book revolves around Bir, Jigish has travelled around India and writes about other sites and his experiences there. He is a multi-faceted individual and enjoys a number of other hobbies including photography and art, and is the the curator of the Linux distro Li-f-e (Linux for Education). This diversity allows him to weave other threads through the book which add to the reading experience.

This is a well-written book, and one that dares to be different. Highly recommended. [Steve Uzochukwu, Skywings, November 2023 issue.]

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Steve Uzochukwu

Skywings Magazine, BHPA

"This book is different. It is light and quick, yet solid, like the best wings are. It is accessible and understandable like the advice Jigish gives to new pilots who turn to him. Like a good pilot, it both looks back and moves forward, and brings the sky within reach."...

Where would we be, but for those who guide us?

I’m Vishal, a long-time musician, yet a relative newbie to the world of paragliding, and someone deeply grateful for the community-spirit in a sport that has led me to friends and guides, one of whom is Jigish.

Jigish is a fixture in Bir, someone who shares his experience and knowledge with an open heart. (His YouTube guide to doing a 100km flight in Bir is genuinely helpful and is free to all!) His book is descriptive, engaging, funny, but I also see it as a unique social-guide to most paraglider pilots.

You see, I’ve realised since I “joined the cult” that paragliding is the “veganism” of sport in that anyone who does it, preaches it! A lot! You can’t get us to shut up about it!

Sure, this comes from a place of love and enthusiasm, but the assumptions of a pilot in a conversation are that everyone dreams of flying and that everyone speaks “wind” in the same sort of arcane language that we use. The latter, of course, is emphatically not so!

That’s where this book is different. It’s light and quick, yet solid, like the best wings are. It’s accessible and understandable like the advice Jigish gives to new pilots who turn to him. Like a good pilot, it both looks back and moves forward, and brings the sky within reach. It shares experiences, and it addresses both the updrafts and downdrafts of the sport we love, and the sites we love to fly in.

Jigish shares not just his love for paragliding and places we fly, but also his love for the people of and around the sport. This book is a record of the people and places he knew and the one he knows today and hopefully, it may bring you to these places that you may experience from the sky someday.

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Vishal Dadlani

Singer, Songwriter, Composer, Rockstar and a Paragliding Pilot

"I've never come across a writing or a book that involves the beauty of the sport, the wonders it involves, the connection and bond it has made between people all over the globe who loves this sport, the change it brings in people who fly, and of course the dumbness and stupidity (for others outside the sport) of the sportsmen or flyers, that was what made me fell in love at first sight, with paragliding."...

Never have I ever been so excited to read a book like Aloft and Unbound, in my life. Yes, I used to be an avid reader, a bookworm rather, but that was like ages ago, before the 'modern day technologies ' invade us. Then the only interest I have after is, paragliding.

There are tons to read and watch about the technicalities of paragliding, but I've never come across a writing or a book that involves the beauty of the sport, the wonders it involves, the connection and bond it has made between people all over the globe who loves this sport, the change it brings in people who fly, and of course the dumbness and stupidity (for others outside the sport) of the sportsmen or flyers, that was what made me fell in love at first sight, with paragliding.

Jigish has put into words, which I have thought about for over 10 years, but is incapable to say or put into writing. I gorged into every page, sucked in every words, smile and laugh at times. And some chapters will guide you up in the air, what you must and must not do, this book will guide you how you should fly, in the most subtle manner in and in laymen's term.

It indeed is a full package, which a pilot would relate to and enjoy, and most importantly, it would be a good read to get non-flyers informed about the art and beauty of flying 😊

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Varte Zaithanmawii

A Medico, Paragliding Pilot and a Single Mom

"For the ones who are involved in the Sport of Paragliding, this book is a must-buy as this is our own story. And for the ones who ever wondered about Paragliding, this book can be a spark to get into the sport with love and respect in their heart for the community. And for the rest, this book will become a Bliss of Solitude as none have read anything like this before."...

Well I have no right to review this book as I'm just no one in the Amazing World of Paragliding

Still, I feel glad that I got the chance to meet dear and respected Jigish Bhai at Blue Umbrella Cafe wearing a T-Shirt with the line written "See you INDUSky!" of Indus Paragliding on my first visit to Bir last April.

I feel thankful that he shared the information about this amazing book when he didn't even complete it. The first impression is the last and at first glance he earned my love and respect with his words and approach.

Then later I come to know more about him, his stories, and the Aloft and Unbound. Since then every time I get information about the book and its contents it made me eager to know more. I waited with all my excitement to get it published to get a copy of it though I never felt the same for any other books that I read so far. The Aloft and Unbound, yes I call it a Saga of Paragliding in India for the stories or I may call it a part of the History of Paragliding in the country that it contains in it.

For the ones who are involved in the Sport of Paragliding, this book is a must-buy as this is our own story. And for the ones who ever wondered about Paragliding, this book can be a spark to get into the sport with love and respect in their heart for the community. And for the rest, this book will become a Bliss of Solitude as none have read anything like this before.

At last, whoever read this will find a piece of themselves within the stories as the author said himself.

Jigish Bhai, I thank you for gifting us this lovely book on behalf of every Paragliding Enthusiast...

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Rudrajit Lukhurakhan

Paragliding Pilot, Fitness Coach

"Dive into the world of paragliding, experience it's thrills and rub shoulders with a breed of people whose world revolves around flying alone in the sky and yet live a life of deep camaraderie. Get insights into paragliding life and get a close up view of the thrills, enjoyment & pains of a paragliding pilot through the eyes of Jigish, who is into IT by profession and is a free bird at heart. A light read, with philosophical tones and a touch of romanticism."

Ashutosh Chopra

Author, Fighter Jets, Commercial Jets and a Paragliding Pilot

"The writer is my closest friend in the paragliding community, so plz pardon the bias :) ....go get a copy of the book to fully understand what a real long term paragliding, Shanti-Shanti, non-materialistic lifestyle looks and feel like. My friend Jigish(the author) is the epitome of happiness extractor from the most mundane, minimal, day to day activities. This book is less about flying and more about living... a must-read!!"

Amit Kakade