The billionaire CEO highlighted the lack of safety measures while performing the adventure sport (Representational image)
Kullu (Himachal Pradesh), January 20: The tragic deaths of multiple individuals in paragliding accidents have raised concerns about safety standards in the adventure sport. In particular, Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu has called for stricter regulations following the recent loss of his family friend’s son, Jeyesh Ram, in a paragliding accident in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter), Vembu expressed his deep sorrow and urged regulators to address the growing number of accidents related to paragliding, stressing the need for improved safety measures and oversight.
The Tragic Incident: Young Entrepreneur Jeyesh Ram’s Death
Jeyesh Ram, a 27-year-old entrepreneur from Tamil Nadu, lost his life in a paragliding accident in Kullu on January 17, 2025. Vembu, who was closely acquainted with Jeyesh’s parents, Cibi Anand and Priya, shared his grief in an emotional post on social media. Describing Jeyesh as a “risk-taker” and a promising young man with a bright future, Vembu highlighted the importance of conducting a risk analysis before engaging in high-risk activities like paragliding, particularly in accident-prone areas.
Vembu wrote, “Yesterday I had the very sad duty to attend the funeral of Jeyesh Ram. He lost his life in a para-gliding accident in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. Way too many accidents happen with sickening regulatory there, and I am deeply saddened Jeyesh became the latest statistic. Much stronger regulatory oversight required here.”
https://x.com/svembu/status/1881066458211618945
Urging Caution: Vembu’s Safety Advice for Young Adventurers
In his post, Sridhar Vembu emphasized that despite his own adventurous spirit, he would have avoided paragliding in Kullu, an area known for frequent accidents. Vembu urged young people, particularly young men, to think twice before taking unnecessary risks. He shared his personal philosophy on assessing risks and making informed decisions before engaging in adventure sports.
“I would have declined paragliding in Kullu as too accident-prone,” Vembu added. “I hope young people, particularly young men, avoid bad risks like this.”
Calls for Stronger Regulations: Ensuring Safety for Adventurers
Vembu’s comments follow a series of tragic paragliding accidents in Himachal Pradesh and across India. Just one day after Jeyesh Ram’s death, a 19-year-old woman tourist from Gujarat lost her life in another paragliding accident in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. She was involved in an incident at the Indrunag paragliding site, highlighting the persistent safety concerns in the region.
The following day, on January 19, 2025, another tragic accident occurred in North Goa’s Querim, where a 27-year-old tourist from Pune, Shivani Dabale, and a pilot, Suman Nepali, both fell to their deaths after taking off from a cliff at Keri plateau.
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In response to these accidents, Vembu reiterated his call for stronger regulatory oversight to ensure that adventure sports, particularly paragliding, are conducted under safer conditions. “I hope Jeyesh’s death does not go in vain and that regulators take a good look at this,” he wrote.
The Growing Need for Regulatory Oversight in Adventure Sports
As paragliding continues to gain popularity as an adventure sport, the rising number of fatalities and injuries calls attention to the need for better safety standards. Experts suggest that stricter regulations and more comprehensive training for pilots and participants are crucial in reducing the risk associated with such activities.
Vembu’s call for stronger regulation is a reminder that safety must be prioritized, not only for participants but also for the communities in which these activities take place.
A Plea for Accountability and Safer Practices in Adventure Sports
The tragic deaths of Jeyesh Ram, the tourist from Gujarat, and the victims in Goa underscore the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and better oversight in adventure sports. Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu’s plea for stronger regulations is a timely reminder of the need for action from both authorities and the public to prevent future tragedies. As the investigation into these incidents continues, the hope is that they will lead to meaningful changes in how paragliding and similar sports are regulated in India.
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