By Charu Dua
Life could become utterly boring if there are no ‘first-time’ experiences attached to it. Every day we get a chance to explore something that our lost soul has never done before. In the jargon of millennials, we get a chance to ‘be woke’ each day if we set on a mission to never stop exploring.
Embarking on a trip can be a fun and exciting rendezvous that can help you refresh, rejoice and renew! Embarking on a trip can be even more fun and exciting if it’s your first time on a flight!
50 year-old Koushlya Bai, a rag-picker living in the dingy slums of Indore had a dream, a dream to be ‘seen’ in the world and be in the air.
Yes, she made it happen. Koushlya Bai with her constant efforts has been fighting for the rights of her rag picker community over the years. She was recognized for her efforts by Global Alliance of Waste Pickers, Argentina and was invited as a representative from India. In itself, it’s a big feat coming after years of struggle. Amidst all, her dream also included travelling in an aeroplane and when she was informed about her trip to Argentina, joy-filled tears rolled on.
Tucked in a red saree, she began her voyage for Buenos Aires, Argentina. Entering the Indore airport for the first time gave her goose bumps. In fact, one could see the child-like excitement on her face. In no time, she made it successfully onto the flight. All the while she was feeling as if she is sitting in a bus. But finally it took an about-turn for the good and the speed increased exponentially. Within a few seconds it was high, up in the sky and the view was breathtaking.
She did her little prayer and calmly sat down during the take off. After a point of time, the roads, buildings, fields and river – everything seemed like tiny dots. Most of the flight-goers tend to miss the security and emergency plan shared by the air-hostesses. But Koushlya Bai was engrossed into it completely like learning the first alphabet at school.
Once the food was served by the airhostess, she was mesmerized with the services provided in airline. ‘I have never eaten so much food in one go and these people are always smiling, it gives you peace,’ echoed she in her own language. . For her, getting such hospitality and warm welcome was all new.
Sitting near the window she could witness the beauty of clouds. One could feel the magic in her glittering eyes that was coming from travelling in the air for the first time. After spending hours on flight, it was time for her layover in Paris.
After spending hours in Paris, she was switched to another flight directly to Buenos Aires, her final destination. Her first flight was not only a wealth of experience, but it was an indelible mark that will give her the peace every time she faces struggle.
Oh boy! Did she leave her airline tickets out of her hand even for a minute? Her timid reply to this was, I can’t afford to lose it, it’s got to be in my heart, in my house, on my wall.