People
Daredevil Rupy Kaur Challenges Fellow Britons
NEWS REPORTS
A Brooklands based daredevil is about to prove she has a head for heights - by doing a 14,500 foot skydive.
Wheelchair user, Sikh-Briton Rupy Kaur, is taking the plunge to raise funds for the anti racism organisation Searchlight and its Hope Not Hate campaign.
The move by Rupy, who is a disability activist, comes amid a recent surge in violent demonstrations by racist and anti-immigration groups in towns and cities with large non-white populations across Britain.
Rupy is particularly critical of the anti-immigration British National Party (BNP), which is the midst of a major controversy over a decision by BBC television to invite its leader to participate in a popular current affairs panel discussion show called Question Time this week.
"When I first heard of the BNP, I thought nobody would be that stupid as to vote for them. There have been many wars and nobody would want to incite hatred, would they?" Rupy says on the Hope Not Hate website.
"The sad fact is there are people who support them."
The BNP has more than 50 elected representatives in local authorities all over Britain and two in the European Parliament.
Rupy Kaur said she comes from a family of fighters for justice: her grandfather had to fight prejudice and racism as a ragman in order to become a successful businessman.
Born with cerebral palsy, Rupy Kaur started her education in a special needs school but authorities were forced to admit her to a mainstream school following a campaign by her uncle.
Although she did not have a note-taker in lessons and was considered to be a ‘health and safety hazard' - which meant she could not stay back in school without a support worker - she scored three A-grades in her 12th standard exams.
After finishing school, social services advised her to stay at home to do a ‘Learn Direct' course but her cousin helped her "battle with them in order for me to study at Manchester" - one of Britain's best universities.
"If you are proud to be British, then I believe that you should stand against fascism," said Rupy Kaur.
"This jump is a major thing for me.
"It would be awesome to know that people are supporting me and this cause so get your hands in your pockets ... by doing so you'll be making a positive difference in the world."
The 22-year-old psychology graduate will be doing a tandem skydive at Grange over Sands (United Kingdom) on December 6, 2009.
"I'll be with someone - so that person will be opening the parachute. All I have to do is scream," she joked.
The skydive will be the culmination of a long standing ambition and she decided to do it after talking to a friend who had also taken part in one.
She has received the full support of her family who will attend the event, near Morecambe.
"My family are just hoping the parachute opens. They all think I've got a screw loose," she laughed.
Rupy Kaur will receive training on the day and said she hopes her daring feat will inspire other people with disabilities to take part in extreme sports.
"Just because you're disabled, it doesn't mean you can't participate in extreme sports. Obviously, you've got to think about the pros and cons but it shouldn't hold you back," she said.
* Anyone interested in sponsoring Rupy Kaur may do so by visiting /www.hopenothate.org.uk/skydive/ 　
Rupy Kaur - Bio
Rupy Kaur completed her degree in Psychology at The University of Manchester, in 2008 gaining a 2:1. At university, she was founder and chairwoman of the ABLED society, which was set up to enhance disabled students' experiences at university. Following her achievements, she was elected as the Open Place Representative on the Disabled Students' Committee for the National Union of Students. Her role involves raising disability issues, including accessible transport. Rupy is also a member of SKILL, the National Bureau of Students with Disabilities. She was appointed member of the Disabled Persons' Transport Advisory Committee in July 2009.　
　
[Courtesy: Messenger and Sindh Today (Dipankar De Sarkar)]
October 20, 2009
Conversation about this article
1: Amandeep Singh (Jammu, India), October 21, 2009, 8:32 AM.
It's quiet inspirational and motivating that Rupy is giving a great fight
2: Rani (U.K.), October 21, 2009, 7:55 PM.
What an accomplished young lady ... way to go, Rupy!
3: Irvinder Singh Babra (Brantford, Ontario, Canada), October 21, 2009, 11:06 PM.
It's really extraordinary what you have done with your self, education and all, that I gather from this report in sikhchic.com here in Canada. As one whose wife is disabled, my heart goes out to you. Chardi Kalaa to you.
4: Satpal Singh Sahney (Mussoorie, India), November 02, 2009, 6:32 AM.
Baba ji tuhaanu chardi kalaa vich rakhan te, if you ever come to India, I hope I have an opportunity to meet you.