Coimbatore: More than 40 underprivileged children from Don Bosco Anbu Illam, Families for Children, Haemophilia Society-Coimbatore Chapter brought in by Make a Wish Foundation and special children from various Government schools were a over joyous lot on Sunday afternoon when they were taken on a ‘Flight of Fantasy’ by Jet Airways.

Actor Radhika Sarathkumar along with her son Rahul Sarathkumar, Collector, P. Umanath, Airport Director, M.R. Vasudeva, Area General Manager of Jet Airways, T.R. Giri are some of the celebrities and VIPs who travelled with the kids.

Actor Priyamani who was to take a flight to Hyderabad in the waiting saw the children off at the tarmac and received them.

The ATR aircraft 9W 817 that made children happy had Capt. Mark Miers as the pilot.

Deputy Commandant of CISF Arun Singh greeted the children at the apron.

Free fuel

DGM Aviation, Marketing Division of Indian Oil, Lt. Col. C.S. Shankar said that Indian Oil was too happy to be associated with the cause for children by sponsoring the aviation fuel free for the particular while AAI waived off the landing, parking and navigation charges for the particular ‘Flight of Fantasy’.

Earlier, Mr. Giri told reporters that Airport Authority of India made it a possibility by getting necessary approvals while corporate sponsors like Shree Devi Textiles, represented by Shanti Senthilkumar Lux Casual Wear (Tirupur) and K.R. Group sponsored a set of new clothes and T-Shirt.

The flight took off from the domestic terminal at 12.45 hours and returned at 13.20 hours.

The children saw places such as Udhagamandalam, Marudhamalai and Palani.

Prior to take off some of the children from Families for Children namely Naveen, Yasar, Saravanan and Kalimuthu said that they were elated to fly.

While hearing and speech impaired 12-year-old Saranya said that she was too happy on even being at the airport.

The children were chosen from different schools by District Rehabilitation Officer, Jasmine.

Children on their return at the arrival hall had just a few words to say ‘happy, great and jolly’ and it was a clear evidence of excitement making them search for words to describe their mood.

Mr. Giri said that Jet Airways wanted to make a dream come true for children who could not afford to fly.

Air Commodore (retd), M. Vania and Secretary of Haemophilia Society-Coimbatore Chapter, Shanthi said that Dinesh Kumar (13) of Annur and Nahul Krishnan of Ondipudur were part of the children who flew in the “Flight of Fantasy”.

The two boys told The Hindu that it was their dream and first flight and could not find words to describe their feeling. The children on returned home with beautiful memories and a gift hampers from various sponsors and their beaming faces made it clear that even sky was not the limit for their joy and happiness.

Courtesy - Hindu