A group of students from various tribal settlements in and around Nilambur had a once in a lifetime experience during their visit to Calicut airport and Kozhikode city on Friday. 130 Adivasi students from 26 settlements spread between Edakkara and Karuvarakkundu were on cloud nine as they watched and took off at the airport.
Most of them visited the airport for the first time and experienced the joy of watching the flights take off and land. Their joy was doubled when they landed at the Kozhikode beach after an exhilarating experience at the Regional Science Center and the city’s planetarium.
Thanks to the leadership of Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) President PV Abdul Wahab, MP, most of the tribal students had their first beach experience in life. Mr. Wahab flagged off his picnic at GUP School, Chandakkunnu, where he had breakfast. Most of them ate ‘nolputtu’ and ‘appam’ for the first time in life as most of the tribal communities, especially the Kattanaikar, Paniyar and Alar tribes do not have the habit of eating in the morning.
The airport authorities, led by Sunita Varghese, gave a warm welcome to the students who arrived in three buses and gave them soft drinks and doodh ka Peda. Mr. Wahab also accompanied him to the airport and took him with him.
From the visitors’ gallery he observed that some flights land and take off as Ms. Sunita and the team explained to them the workings of the airport.
“Now you can see airports and flights. If you win A-plus in all subjects I will take you on a flight,” Mr Wahab said, offering him one of the biggest inspirations of his life.
As the MP finished his sentence, a girl raised her hand and said: “Sir, are you serious? Then I am ready to take on this challenge.” The strong words of Gopika N of Nallanthanni tribal settlement in Nilambur Municipality had an infectious effect among her friends as some of them whispered amongst themselves that she had to complete A- for higher secondary. Plus you will get
Representing the students, Gotramaruthu Society President K. Surendran requested the airport authorities to set up a stall to sell their tribal products of genuine quality. Airport officials replied that they would consider the request.
AP Anil Kumar, MLA, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, joined tribal children at the airport with a set of gifts from MP. The gifts included a laptop bag, an umbrella and a T-shirt for all of them.
It was a jaw-dropping experience for the kids at the Regional Science Center and Planetarium, Kozhikode. The 3D show not only created excitement but also raised many questions from him. Curator-cum-Project Coordinator Binoy Kumar Dubey and Officer K. Suresh Kumar appeared very happy to answer their questions.
Mr. Dubey offered him a counter in the planetarium to sell Gotramruthu products. He also gifted them a toy.
Soon he was at his best when he landed on the beach, where he played football. They spent the evening on the beach and sang songs and danced to the beats of tribal music.
JSS director V. Umar Koya, who accompanied the children, said it was an enriching experience for them as well. “I have never seen him so happy. It was such a rewarding experience for all of us,” he said.
The dinner served to him by Mr. Wahab at his home was an icing on the cake for the tribal children. He also treated Mr Wahab and his family with his songs and dance.