Baumgartner epitomises true greatness

Dubai: It’s not very often that one comes across a person who is capable of creating and defining life-altering moments. I say life-altering because at times a special person has it in him or her to transform people around with their presence.

A certain Felix Baumgartner, the skydiving world-record holder, landed in Dubai late on Thursday. He made his way to the Skydive Dubai venue at the tip of The Palm Jumeirah next to the Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa at around noon the following day.

There was a flurry of activity around him; everyone wanted a piece of Felix Baumgartner. After all, it is not every day that a man of his stature lands in Dubai.

Less than two months back [on October 14 to be exact], the world stopped and waited with bated breath for this man to succeed in his quest of setting a world record for skydiving from an estimated 39 kilometres above the ground while reaching an approximate speed of 1,342 kph, breaking the sound barrier in the process. He did it and every moment was beamed live on television and recorded for posterity.

Fast forward several weeks and he was in Dubai with people swarming around him, shaking his hand, taking pictures with their cameras and mobile phones. Baumgartner smiled and spoke to anyone who asked a question. He was a true champion of the people.

Here was a man who had put his life on the line to achieve something on behalf of humanity. Here was the man who had soared so many kilometres above the earth and looked down in wonder at what the rest of humanity could only see on photographs taken by hi-tech cameras in space.

And yet, when asked to describe that one moment, Baumgartner merely said: “It was breathtaking and the most unique moment of my life.”

And as he spoke and interacted with spectators and fans at the Mondial 2012, I realised that the 43-year-old Austrian was all about modesty and humility. He had time for everyone. And it did not take long to get a second opinion on this, and that too from the man himself.

“I felt so small at that moment. And at the same time I knew that I was the only human being ever up in that spot,” he said.

For sure, the flight was an uplifting experience for the man. But in essence, he was merely a normal human being who had experienced it all, and yet he was simplicity personified. “Although I went up, I was brought down by this one experience. I now want to spend my time, energy and experience serving humanity,” Baumgartner added.

Need I say more?