Voices of RPIA
20
In Our Community
To prepare for these moments, I took swimming training to build my confidence and learn techniques that would help me navigate the depths. The test dives were eye- opening, allowing me to marvel at vibrant coral reefs that seemed to glow with life. It was like visiting an entirely new world where colours popped, fish darted playfully, and you became a guest in an environment that was vast, beautiful, and humbling. One of the most surreal moments was discovering submerged vehicles resting eerily at the bottom, frozen in time like relics of an underwater city. It felt as if I was in an aquatic version of a sci-fi movie, with every dive adding to the wonder. Yet, beyond the excitement and adrenaline, there was a serenity in diving that I had never experienced before. Once you’re underwater, surrounded by the vast blue expanse, the noise of the world above disappears. The only sound that accompanies you is the soft rhythm of your own breath and the gentle trail of air bubbles rising to the surface. It’s a kind of peaceful solitude that makes you feel connected not just to nature but to yourself. It’s where time seems to pause, and all that exists is the steady thrum of your heartbeat and the beauty surrounding you. This experience has sparked more than just a newfound hobby; it’s ignited a passion that I want to keep pursuing. I’m already looking forward to planning more diving trips and earning additional licenses to explore even further. Whether it’s visiting deeper wrecks, witnessing more incredible marine life, or just finding more moments of peace beneath the waves, I know that this is just the beginning of a lifelong journey of discovering the wonders hidden beneath the surface.
Arya Shukla Associate, Investment Operations
SCUBA DIVING
My post-grad adventure took an unexpected plunge—literally—turning from a vacation into earning my diving certification. What started as a simple getaway with friends quickly morphed into a journey of skill-building, overcoming deep water fears, and finding a new passion. What I discovered underwater was so much more than marine life—it was an experience that tested my limits, pushed me out of my comfort zone, and brought me face-to-face with a world I never imagined exploring. Diving taught me the art of staying calm under pressure and reinforced how essential it is to communicate and collaborate effectively with friends. Our makeshift hand signals on land transformed into an intricate, silent language underwater, where a simple gesture could mean the difference between gliding smoothly or finding yourself suddenly surrounded by hordes of jellyfish. Yes, that happened. More than once. And let’s just say that getting stung is part of the learning curve that no one warned me about.
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker