Dubai/Oman- On a day when the world celebrates the wonders of the ocean, a young girl from Odisha created a new milestone deep beneath its surface. Tisya Panigrahi, a Dubai-based teen with roots in Sambalpur, marked her 15th birthday on June 8, 2025 — also “World Oceans Day” — by becoming the youngest scuba diver from Odisha to dive to 100 feet (30+ metres), a feat she accomplished at the Garden of Eden dive site in Oman’s spectacular Daymaniyat Islands.
This was more than just a dive — it was the culmination of years of passion, training, and a dream that began when she was only 10. With this dive, Tisya not only set a personal record but also positioned herself among the youngest divers in India to reach this depth. Her achievement also celebrates a rare bond — she was accompanied by her father and dive partner, Priyadarshee Panigrahi, an advanced scuba diver himself. Together, they became one of the few father-daughter duos globally to complete a 100-foot dive on the daughter’s 15th birthday.
During the dive, Tisya held placards that read “On my 15th birthday” and “At 100 feet”, while her father proudly held another that said “World Oceans Day” — visually capturing the emotion and symbolism of the day.
Speaking after the dive, Tisya said, “I had been eagerly waiting to turn 15 so I could legally dive up to 30 metres. To finally achieve it on my birthday, and that too on World Oceans Day, was just magical. We divers are the voices of the ocean. Through our stories and videos, I hope more people feel inspired to protect and preserve marine life.”
Tisya’s diving journey began early — she became Odisha’s youngest scuba diver at age 10 in 2020, and later the youngest Advanced Open Water Diver at 12. Until now, diving rules limited her to 21 metres due to age. But with her 15th birthday came the much-anticipated upgrade, and she embraced it with courage and confidence.
The milestone was supported by Dive Tribe Dubai and Omanta Scuba Diving Academy in Muscat, led by Nasser Al-Khanjary, who joined the father-daughter pair during the memorable dive.
Her proud father, Priyadarshee, said, “This dive was more than an adventure — it was a celebration of Tisya’s determination and her growing connection with the ocean. To watch her achieve this milestone underwater, on such a meaningful day, was unforgettable. I am proud not just of what she did but of the kind of young person she is becoming.”
Tisya is not just a record-setter — she’s a torchbearer for youth involvement in marine conservation. With dives across Maldives, Jordan, Seychelles, UAE, and now Oman, she continues to break age barriers, advocate for ocean protection, and inspire countless other young adventurers in India and beyond.
Born in Sambalpur, Odisha, Tisya hails from a family of distinguished public service. She is the granddaughter of former Minister and Parliamentarian Late Sriballav Panigrahi, educationist Late Sunanda Panigrahi, and former MLA Dr. Raseswari Panigrahi. Her lineage reflects both excellence and service, values she now expresses in her own unique way — through the depths of the ocean.
Tisya and her father are no strangers to challenging dives — they’ve dived with sharks, explored sunken airplanes, and even done night dives with manta rays. Their shared love for the ocean is matched by their commitment to raising awareness about the fragile beauty of marine ecosystems.
Through this inspiring journey, Tisya Panigrahi has shown that age is no barrier to achieving great depths — literally and figuratively. Her courage, commitment, and love for the ocean are a beacon of hope in a time when the marine world needs champions more than ever.
As she continues to explore the vast blue world, one thing is clear: Tisya is diving deep not just into the ocean, but into a purposeful life of inspiration, conservation, and boundless possibility.
