The Paragliding Pre-World Cup 2023, Bir Billing 

The Paragliding Pre-World Cup 2023 commenced at Bir-Billing in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district on Thursday. RS Bali, the chairman of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC), virtually inaugurated the event from Shimla.
Kishori Lal, the Chief Parliamentary Secretary of Himachal Pradesh and MLA from Baijnath flagged off the first pilot who soared into the skies from the Billing take-off site after performing a yajna(fire Puja)
This week-long event, hosted in Bir-Billing, Kangra district, is jointly organised by the Billing Paragliding Association and the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. A total of 186 participants from 33 different countries have registered for the event. 36 Pilots were eliminated during Trial yesterday to select the limit 150 Pilot for completion. The competion is scheduled to conclude on November 2.
Among the participants are individuals from countries such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand, France, Sweden, Germany, China, South Africa, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Kazakhstan, Norway, Nepal, Vietnam, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Canada, as well as paragliding teams from the Indian Air Force, Army, and Navy.
The organizers have arranged two dedicated teams from the Army Adventure Wing and the Indian Air Force Adventure Wing to ensure readiness for any exigency, rescue, or evacuation needs.
Notably, Bir Billing previously hosted the first Paragliding World Cup in 2015, marking the inaugural World Cup event in India.
Earlier in April, Bir Billing hosted Paragliding Pre-World Cup Competition, making this Paragliding World Cup the Second International Paragliding Competition held in a year.