Making History Underwater: Lakshadweep’s First Female PADI Instructor

Maldivian Academy of Diving
Dec 20
2 min read

“I did my IDC from MAD — and it was maaaad! The quality of instruction, the course, the team… chef’s kiss.100/10 would recommend. You guys have my whole heart.”

Some journeys change your career. Others change who you are underwater.

For Malavika Ananth, the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) at Maldivian Academy of Diving (MAD) in Himmafushi, Maldives was not just about earning a certification — it was about earning her place in the ocean through training, discipline, and real-world experience.

Today, Malavika proudly stands as the first female PADI Instructor from Lakshadweep, a milestone not only for her, but for women in Laccadives scuba diving as a whole.

More Than a Certification

With 8 PADI Instructor Specialties, professional-level dive training, and countless hours spent in real ocean conditions, Malavika’s journey was shaped by more than exams and checklists. It was shaped by:

Advanced scuba training
Strong dive safety standards
Respect for the ocean
Responsibility as a professional diver

At MAD, the IDC is designed to build confident, capable instructors, not just candidates who pass. The focus is on doing things the right way — safely, mindfully, and with respect for the underwater world.

Why Training, Discipline & Experience Matter

This journey reinforced a powerful truth:

Confidence in diving isn’t instant — it’s built over time.

Proper training, repetition, and discipline are what allow divers and instructors to remain calm, capable, and aware beneath the surface. The ocean rewards those who approach it with humility, patience, and preparation — especially when conditions change and real-world decision-making matters most.

At the professional level, who you learn from is just as important as what you learn.

MAD’s IDC program reflects this philosophy by combining strong academic foundations with hands-on, real-ocean teaching experience, guided by the mentorship of PADI Platinum Course Directors Mark Soworka and Adam Ashraf. Their experience brings depth to every aspect of the training — from teaching methodology and dive theory to risk management, problem-solving, and professional judgment underwater.

Learning under seasoned Course Directors means candidates don’t just prepare to pass an Instructor Examination — they learn how to think, act, and lead as responsible dive professionals. Through real feedback, real scenarios, and real standards, instructors-in-training gain the confidence that only experience-backed mentorship can provide.

This balance of knowledge, discipline, and expert guidance is what transforms divers into professionals — and ensures they are ready to teach, inspire, and protect the underwater world.

Inspiring the Next Generation — Especially Women

“If my story inspires even one person to start scuba diving in Lakshadweep,to pursue a PADI Open Water Course, Advanced Open Water, or professional dive training —especially more women in scuba diving — then every dive was worth it.”

Representation matters. And Malavika’s achievement stands as a reminder that the ocean belongs to everyone. Her journey is a message to aspiring divers and professionals alike: With the right training, mentorship, and commitment, anything is possible underwater.

At Maldivian Academy of Diving, we are incredibly proud to have been part of Malavika’s journey — and excited to see the impact she will continue to make in the diving world.