By Our Correspondent
DUBAI/BHUBANESWAR:Sambalpur born, Dubai based advanced Odia scuba diver, 15-year-old Tisya Panigrahi celebrated a major milestone a few days ago by completing her 50th scuba dive at the world-renowned Kandooma Thila dive site, off Holiday Inn Resort, Kandooma Fushi, in the Maldives.
As far as media records and public reports show, no other Odia scuba diver has achieved 50 dives by the age of 15, thereby making Tisya the youngest known Odia to reach this milestone, cementing her status as one of the state’s most prolific and young recreational scuba divers.
Known for its strong currents, depth and spectacular marine life, Kandooma Thila is considered one of the Maldives’ most beautiful and respected advanced diving sites, a fitting location for Tisya’s milestone. The dive, which reached 100 feet, was both technically demanding and visually spectacular.
She was accompanied in this dive by her father and long-time dive partner, Priyadarshee Panigrahi, who is an advanced scuba diver himself. Together, they form one of India’s very few father–daughter advanced diving duos, combining skill, safety, and a shared passion for the ocean.
During the dive, Tisya and Priyadarshee used reef hooks to hook themselves to the non-living part of the coral reef, in order to give them strength to tackle the strong currents that this dive site regularly features. Grey reef sharks and graceful Eagle Rays made the dive memorable.
Tisya’s 50th dive was conducted by Holiday Inn Kandooma’s PADI affiliated 5-Star Diving Center. Diving Instructor Luca Botha, who belongs to South Africa was the dive instructor during this dive.
As per Tisya, “Reaching 100 feet on my 50th dive under such challenging conditions was unforgettable, and I felt like I am discovering a new layer of the ocean. I am happy that I have hit this major milestone in my diving journey. The ocean is beautiful, alive & magical, and I want to dive more. I also want more young people to safely explore its beauty and protect it.”
Priyadarshee Panigrahi, her father and dive buddy, shared his pride in witnessing this milestone firsthand, “Being wiith Tisya in her milestone 50th dive was special. Tisya’s journey has been built on love for the ocean and a desire to explore her beautiful secrets. As a father–daughter team, we’ve shared some incredible underwater experiences, and this one stands out. I hope she continues her diving education and makes more efforts towards ocean conservation’.
South African Diving Instructor Luca Botha said that Tisya handled the challenging conditions well. In addition to Luca, during this dive trip, Tisya also dived with Shaan, a Maldivian National and Holiday Inn Kandooma’s Dive Centre Manager & Instructor. Shaan said that Tisya is a very good diver and has gained a lot of experience.
From Sambalpur to Dubai, Tisya has had an extraordinary journey. Born in Sambalpur, Odisha, in 2010, Tisya has been based in Dubai for over 13 years now after spending a few years in Vietnam. She began scuba diving at the age of 10 in August 2020, quickly setting benchmarks like being the ‘Youngest scuba diver from Odisha’ in August 2020, ‘Odisha’s youngest advanced scuba diver in June, 2022’ at the age of 12 and diving 100 feet on her 15th Birthday on 8th June, 2025 to become the youngest diver from Odisha (and among the youngest from India) to reach this depth.
Her major previous dives include the Milestone 25th Dive in December 2022 with Nurse Sharks at Alimatha dive site in Maldives and night diving with Manta Rays in December 2023 in the reefs off Sun Siyam Olhuveli in Maldives.
A young ocean ambassador, Tisya, beyond personal milestones, uses her platform to promote marine awareness and conservation. She has participated in underwater clean-ups, regularly writes in diving magazines, and campaigns to encourage youth involvement in ocean protection. One initiative which drew global attention was her underwater appeal (along with her father Priyadarshee) to protect the oceans while UN’s COP 28 conference was happening in Dubai in December 2023.
This father–daughter duo aims to inspire youngsters from Odisha, India, and beyond to explore, respect, and protect the underwater world responsibly.
Tisya is the grand daughter of former Minister and Parliamentarian from Odisha, late Sriballav Panigrahi & educationist Late Sunanda Panigrahi. She also happens to be the grand daughter of former MLA from Sambalpur Dr. Rasewari Panigrahi.
