Ronald Dsouza and Joe Andrade BahrainDaijiworld Media Network
Bahrain, Mar 25: It’s all happening today! Thanks to airindia express! 25th march, 2007 is a red-letter day for all those who are travelling to Mangalore direct from Bahrain with the inaugural flight flagged-off by Ahmed Nemat Ali, the acting undersecretary, civil aviation affairs, Kingdom of Bahrain from the Kingdom of Bahrain’s international airport located at Muharraq Island!
In a crisp but brisk choc-o-block ceremony organised by the Kingdom of Bahrain’s civil aviation affairs authority, at the airport departure lounge premises, gate no.11, Airindia Express launched their first budget-airline flight IX-814 to Mangalore int’l airport. The auspicious occasion was conducted and organised by civil aviation affairs dignitaries in the presence of Bhatnagar, first secretary of indian embassy, Bahrain airport officials, airindia officials including D.Debesh, manager Bahrain & Jordan, Mubarak Jassim Kanoo & Fawzi Kanoo Bahrain, Air India’s sponsor and general sales agent, and many well-wishers from the indian community some of whom had come dressed in traditional indian cultural attire. Mohan Kutty, manager of general sales affairs, Kanoo Travel, co-ordinated the ceremony .
The incoming Airindia Express flight with passengers from Mumbai picked up mangalore-bound passengers from Doha int’l airport and landed at Bahrain at 1520 hours. The flight pilot captain Avinash Chikte and co-pilot captain Ramesh Kumar and air hostesses Manju Pipal and Nidhi Pandey were welcomed on arrival at the departure gate by the C.A.A. authorities, airindia officials and dignitaries. They were then traditionally given the “poorna khamba” welcome by colorfully dressed sari-clad indian ladies with the traditional kalasha and colorfully dressed little children presenting each of the dignitaries with a bouquet of flowers.
The civil aviation authority in a moving gesture, presented a memento on the occasion to Air India manager, Debesh, as well as the pilot and co-pilot of the aircraft.
Mahmood yousuf, manager public relations, civil aviation affairs compered the program and welcomed the gathering.
Ahmed Nemat ali addressed the crowd going down memory’s lane to 1932 when the first imperial airways aircraft landed in bahrain intransit to India and highlighted the fact that Air India was the second airline to land in Bahrain way back in 1960. From just one flight per week since then, it was heartining to note that airindia has increased its frequency to 11 flights today to destinations like mangalore, mumbai, cochin and calicut.
This shows the galloping bonds of friendship between the two countries, India and Bahrain over a period of time.
Ahmed Nemat ali then proceeded to cut the Air India Express inaugural cake along with Mubarak Jassim Kanoo, pilot, co-pilot and the air hostesses to the tumultous applause of the gathering..
Airindia’s manager, Debesh, took the opportunity to thank the minister of transportation & deputy prime minister, Sheikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the C.A.A. officials, the bahrain airport service authorities, the kanoo family and all those who supported Air India Express and made it possible for launching of airindia express service on schedule. He further mentioned from the current 11 frequencies, few more would be added to new Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore after a short period.
Bhatnagar from the Indian embassy also spoke on the occasion.
The dazzling highlight of the event was a little lad, Master Takshak Pai, decked-up like the Air India Express icon “maharaja”, welcoming the august gathering and two young lads Bharath Jayakumar and Amit Anchan dressed up in typical yakshagana attire who literally otherwise stole the show inviting picturesque photo-opportunity for all who gathered on the auspicious occasion. A number of Indian dignitaries from various clubs and organisations were also invited and present on the occasion.
The nostalgia of it all could best be expressed by an octogenarian lady Carmine Coutinho popularly known in near and dear circles only as “Mamma” and still agile and quick-paced at 83 at the lounge in jubilation to have had the unique privilege to fly on this maiden flight direct to her hometown Bajpe, the airport hillock-seat of mangalore int’l airport. The co-pilot literally embraced her on being introduced to her.
The flight to Mangalore departed to Mangalore at 1630hours Bahrain time and is expected to land at Mangalore around 2200hrs.
The Indian ambassador to Bahrain, Balakrishna Shetty, who hails from Mangalore will be travelling on the inaugural flight from Mangalore to Bahrain on his return journey to Bahrain.
Daijiworld Media Network
