Clouds were floating outside the windows and the houses, rivers, trees below seemed so distant, so tiny. The new experience sent 58 passengers aboard a flight from Kochi to the city to raptures.
The group comprised differently abled persons who were on their maiden trip aboard an aeroplane on Thursday.
Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights chairperson Shobha Koshy and member Sr. Biji Jose were present to welcome the group at the domestic terminal of the city airport.
The trip and the reception left the group, accompanied by 12 teachers, beaming. They recounted their experience up in the sky and sang songs. “On the flight, we clapped and laughed,” said a group member.
The trip was organised by the Rotary District 3201’s Rotary Club of Cochin International Airport, Rotary Cochin West and Rotary Tricity. The clubs had organised the Rotary Olympics for Special Education Students in November last and selected 11 schools through draw of lots. Five students each were selected from these schools along with a couple of more children such as Jilumol who works as a graphic designer despite having no arms. The club presidents and Rotary project chairman M. Romelal also accompanied the students.
4,000 beneficiaries
Mr. Romelal said the project, started by Rotary in 2000, had enabled nearly 4,000 children to enjoy their first plane ride.
Aswin P., a Vizhinjam native who was part of a group from Asha Deepam Special School at Santhigiri, Ernakulam, said the one-hour flight was fun.
While some more boisterous ones broke into songs, Vysakh Viswan and Shifna Sudheer, part of a five-member group from a school for the hearing impaired at Manikkamangalam, Kalady, said they enjoyed the flight, especially the sights from the window, and wanted to repeat the experience.
She was scared initially but then enjoyed the flight, said a grinning Daisy Tobias from Jeeva Special School, Cherthala.
Denvin Jones and Amos M.P. who were part of the group seconded her.
From the airport, the children headed to the museum and zoo on two buses, had lunch, and returned to Kochi by road.
