Paramotor pilot returns favour

POKHARA: French national Jen David Branc, a paramotor pilot of Himalayan Para motor journey, who had gone missing three days ago and was found only yesterday, has praised the Nepalis.

A participant at the first ever para motor flight in Nepal, organised to make NTY 2011 a resounding success, Branc’s paramotor had disappeared from Korchun, Machhapuchhre VDC, on Friday afternoon.

He was handed over by SP Krishnabhakta Brahmacharya of Kalika Battalion amid a programme, where he praised the Nepalis. He also provided Rs 50,000 to residents of Machhapuchhre VDC, Kaski, and another Rs 50,000 Fulbari-based Naya Gorakh Battalion and Malepatan-based Kalika Battalion of APF.

Branc handed over the amount to Secretary Surya Gurung of Machhapuchhre Tourism Development Committee, SP Krishnabhakta Brahmacharya of Kalika Battalion and Shambhu
Gurung, Chief of Naya Gorakh Batallion. Brahmacharya declared that the amount would be used to purchase rescue materials.

Elated on getting a new life, Branc promised to support APF, NA and residents of Jharikhola, Machhapuchhre VDC with additional Rs 1 million to residents and another Rs 1 million to APF and NA.

The amount will be handed over through Stephen Shrestha, coordinator and director of Avia Club. Branc also revealed his wish to invest the amount in the development of trekking route, tourism and construction of drinking water project in Machhapuchhre VDC.

He further promised he would try his best to make NTY 2011 a success. “As I got a new life here, I will promote Nepal in France,” he said, adding “I will encourage my people to visit this beautiful nation which has very kind-hearted people.”

‘’I spent two nights there by eating chocolates and quenching my thirst with the dew deposited on the leaves of the trees in the jungle and igniting a fire using the petrol of the paramotor,” he said, recounting his story after his paramotor met with an accident. Branc, who owns an internet business, said this was his maiden visit to Nepal. He returned to Kathmandu today and plans to return to France on Tuesday.

After he was found, he was brought to Pokhara on a Mountain Air helicopter. Following the news of his disappearance, two teams of Armed Police force had been tasked to search for him.

In order to promote the tourism year, paramotor demonstration had been organised jointly by Avia Club and Nepal Air Sports Organisation, in Pokhara. Starting from Tundikhel, Kathmandu last week, they reached Pokhara on Friday, flying over various places including Hetauda, Chitwan, Butwal and Palpa.

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