I love hearing
stories of adventure and my didi who is older to me by two years also loves the
same. She likes the stories of fairies!
During my summer vacation I had gone with my mother to my Nana’s place in Goa
where he serves as a pilot at the air station. His house overlooked the Arabian sea at
the Dabolim airport. Cold breeze and swaying palm trees, fishing boats in the
shimmering water and miles of white sand beach are sights I had never seen
before. One morning, I heard a drone of aircraft and as I looked up, my eyes
shone at the sight of a huge aircraft that flew past at a very low height. The
grey color radiated in the morning sun. I
had never ever seen such a big aero plane. Later in the evening I told Nana
about what I had seen in a very excited tone. He smiled and said, ‘That was TU
142 aircraft, one of the biggest one. I too fly the same’, he continued.
‘Oh, is it? ‘My eyes widened in disbelief. ‘Are there any
planes bigger than that’? I asked with curiosity.
‘Sure, there are, would you like to know about that’ he
looked at me, already knowing my answer.
‘Please tell’ I and my sister shouted in a chorus.
So after finishing the dinner, we hopped in his bed and as
he settled down, we both started pestering him for the promised story.
‘I will tell you about aircrafts from the old times to now’ he
started sensing our anticipation.
The story started from the times of ‘ Pushpak viman’ that
was used by Ravana to ferry Sita in the epic Ramayana, to the story of Wright
brothers who were the first to fly the airplane, and had reached till airship Zeppelin that were flown during the second world war.
‘Nana, but you had told us that you will tell about the
biggest airplane’ I interrupted.
‘I was just coming to that, he continued’. You know the
biggest aircraft will now fly in India , from New Delhi to Frankfurt by
Lufthansa from November , this year! This aircraft has been built by Airbus
Industries of France and can carry up to 853 passengers and crew in a full
economy class and 525 passengers in a three class configuration (First, Business
and Economy class).In short a perfect aircraft for a big population in India to travel!It has two decks with alleys in front and rear for
passengers to board and disembark. The upper deck is at such a height that the
noise of the engines is almost inaudible. Also, this aircraft despite its huge
size is 50% quieter compared to Boeing 747, its nearest rival. It requires a runway almost 2km long to take off and 3 km to land! There are big windows
that give fantastic view as you fly in comfort of big seats.
'The plane is 73m long 24 m wide and can fly 15000 km, say
from India to Australia and back at one go! It has electrical cabling extending 500km and the cabin air is recycled every three minutes to maintain freshness' he added.
My eyes opened in disbelief. ‘Nana, is this all true, or a
fairy tale’ I tapped him, as I started feeling even more excited.
‘This aircraft can carry almost 560 tonnes at takeoff and has 15-20%
more efficiency of operation , which makes it suitable for a country like ours
, at the same time maintain low cost and help in keeping the environment green' he explained.
‘ Nana, I would like to go on this plane, will you take me’
I asked as , I had started falling sleepy.
‘ Sure, next time, I will take you all on a trip to Germany,
where you can have your favorite pasta and matar panner on the Lufthansa
flight, besides gifts from the sweet and hospitable airhostesses’ he added.
I had already started dreaming about my flight to Germany,
with Nana , in the mighty A-380, as mom came and picked me up in her arms and
took me to my bed.

PS: This post a flight of fantacy of a four year old Akshat who would love to fly on A-380 with his sister Arushi. This post is my submission for Lufthansa, Indiblogger contest(http://a380.lufthansa.com/TAKEPART/#/DE/EN/home)#LufthansaA380
Too beautiful Rahul! I could visualize the whole scene and enjoy it so much!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Padmaja for those ever encouraging comments:)
DeleteWonderfully written, Rahulji.
ReplyDeleteAll the great features of the plane and the cool offers on board, make me wanna on A-380 like Akshat :) Best wishes to you!
Thank you Anita for those words! Hope you fly sometime soon on the new A-380:)
DeleteA great description. I felt I was there listening to Nana;s story.
ReplyDeleteAm humbled Usahji! Thank you!
DeleteHow sweet. I hope Akshat gets to travel with his Nana just like the dream.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Rachna for your best wishes:0
DeleteSimple and so well crafted one..
ReplyDeleteI am happy you liked Manjulika:)
DeleteThe frame of story is very interesting. Kids like four year old Akshat love airplanes. So I could get the explain of the plane naturally and easily.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day!
A huge thanks Sarah! Chilldren are always excited when they see airplanes:)
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ReplyDeleteSweet story, Rahul. I could see Akshat and Arushi so clearly in my mind :)
ReplyDeleteHow have you been?
Coming from a writer of your calibre, its an honor:) Am fine and hope the same at your end too!
DeleteThat's a cute story. I have lived close to Air Base 2 of Indian AirForce and have seen many fighter planes doing exercise. It's an awesome sight. Even I want to travel in AirBus A380, hope it happens soon.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for the contest.
So you have seen all the thrills of Airforce sorties staying close to an airbase! I spent a part of my life at airstations and on aircraft carrier, so the nostalgic memories keep coming back, Saru:) Thanks for your best wishes!
DeleteHow times have changed..Now a days children dream of big planes,Bigger you dream,higher will be the success ratio
ReplyDeleteVery true Mr Chowla! Children have bigger dreams now so they would achieve bigger things in life, now:)
DeleteMy almost six year old is now reading a book on airplanes from the library and he is excited.... One of his friends told him the other day ' i am going to India by indigo (airpkane ' ( referring to indigo airlines) ....My boy retorted...planes are white, not indigo (as in violet,indigo) :D
ReplyDeleteVery cute, Jaishree! What I visualized, you see every day! Stay blessed:)
Deletenicely written...one can visualize by your description :)
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for the contest !
Thank you Kitty for your kind wishes!
DeleteDelightfully woven tale of a dreamy eyed youngster. Good luck for the contest !
ReplyDeleteGood to see you back Rama! Thanks a lot!
DeleteNever traveled by Lufthansa!!!! Sounds dreamy indeed!
ReplyDeleteYeah, hope some such dreams get fulfilled, Red :)
DeleteWe travel all over the world, and all we care about is the quality of the food and service. The technology behind our smooth travel was an engrossing read.
ReplyDeleteVery right, Purba! Seldom we realize how sophisticated these aircrafts have become, making them even safer than road journey, in utmost comfort:) Thanks for reading!
DeleteWow!, beautifully told story Rahul.
ReplyDeleteAll the best!
Thanks a lot Rama!
DeleteAwww - so cute!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lady Fi!
ReplyDeleteHa ha Ashwini, at least someone observed that maverick effort:) Thanks ! Your wish will be fulfilled soon!
ReplyDeleteIt was not like a story, but lively experience in narrative!
ReplyDeleteA lot of thanks for that kind comment, Jeevan!
DeleteBeautiful beautiful post! Many congrats for winning!
ReplyDeleteA big thanks Ekta! Wishing you lots of happiness in the New year and beyond:)
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