by Richie Lasrado, Resident Editor, Daijiworld.com, Mangalore
Pics by Sujay Bendur and Rons Bantwal
Mangalore, Oct 5: In between the hectic live newscast schedule at the foundation-laying for the intergrated terminal building and welcoming the inaugural international flight from Dubai at the Bajpe airport in Mangalore, we found it relevant to interview some VIPs, entrepreneurs and others.
Whoever we asked to speak about the new international flight landing on Tuesday evening gave crisp, yet spontaneous responses. Although we spoke to over fifty individuals, for reason of space constraint, we publish here only an assorted collection.
Rajya Sabha member B Janardhan Poojary
It is a great occasion. This has been a dream of not only me but all the Mangaloreans all over the world. The facilities and infrastructure for international flights are already in place but it has not been upgraded to the international status yet. We should strive towards that goal now. I have been in the parliamentary standing committee related to this project. We are grateful to the governments for ensuring early completion of this project.
State minister for fisheries and endowment and district minister-in-charge B Nagaraj Shetty
It is the greatest and happiest occasion for the people of Dakshina Kannada as the very first international flight lands in Managlore. We are all happy to welcome this flight on behalf of the entire p[eople of Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada and Kasaragod. While complimenting the authorities in achieving this goal, we should also remember the people of this area who sacrificed their land to make way for the developments at this airport and rehabilitated elsewhere. But for their sacrifice, this dream would have been realized. Our next goal should be to build up cargo handling facilities since there is a big potential for air cargo transport.
MLC Captain Ganesh Karnik
I am really happy over this development. I was partly involved in moving things. This will benefit a lot of people from northern Karnataka, Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu and Kasargod. We definitely deserve an international airport and I think this is going to happen soon. I must congratulate the people involved in it. I am really feeling happy with all the people of these areas.
DK District's Deputy Commissioner Maheshwar Rao
It is a wonderful facility being made available at Mangalore and it is certainly a great day for us. This development is going to contribute to the growth of the entire region to a great extent. I compliment the Airport authorities and all leaders involved in the early completion of this project. Although much of the work was done during my predecessors' time, I feel lucky that the introduction of the international flight in this airport is taking place during my tenure.
Grace Pinto, director, Ryan International Schools, Mumbai
We should be thankful to God for granting this privilege and may God bless all those people who have really worked hard towards the realization of this dream. The credit goes to everyone. I think daijiworld has given the mazimum news to everyone all over the world. We would also like to say that some of the people who have worked really hard without seeking publicity have not been given importance today. They are not recognized, they are not remembered. They have been sidelined but they are not hungry for any name or fame. Whatever you do silently will be certainly recognized in the long run.
Nagesh Shetty, Manager, Indian Airlines:
It is a great occasion for all Mangaloreans.
I am sure the dreams of the present generation of Mangaloreans has been realized with the arrival of the first international flight in Mangalore and I am also sure that more airlines will follow suit.
We must compliment the airport authority and its dynamic team for having achieved so much in such a short span of time.
Not only that, all those people, in and around Mangalore and also abroad, especially the UAE part of it, who have built up pressure to have the work completed early should be complimented also.
Now it will be much easier and more comfortable to travel abroad since it has been a long-cherished dream of every Mangalorean living abroad to fly direct to Mangalore.
This will also give a boost to the local economy. The improvement of Mangalore and around will be very much palpable now on.
Vishwanath U Mada, former employee of Air India for 37 years:
This is the finest thing that has happened to our district. Many people are not aware of the silent efforts of the Jaya Shri Krishna Parisara Premi Samiti and former union minister George Fernandes in this project.
We are very disappointed because of the way in which the government and the authorities have handled this function.
We are not politicians. We are not interested in politics but the people who have really done something are not being given credit for it.
Irrespective of party and politics they should have given credit to the people who have worked for it. However, I am feeling very happy for everything good that has been happening to Dakshina Kannada.
Lancelot Pinto, Corporator, Mangalore City Corporation:
Our Mangalore city is growing.
This dream of being connected from foreign countries has been there for long and when it is being achieved today it is a great moment not only for us but also for those near and dear ones who have been living abroad.
I wish to congratulate the authorities for their dedication and commitment. I wish to convey my wishes to all the passengers travelling by the first flight and also wish a safe journey to those travelling by the return flight to Dubai.
Francis D'Souza, entrepreneur and Group Chairman, Plantech Group of Companies, Mangalore
It is a very happy occasion for all of us and is a big step towards Mangalore's further development.
On behalf of the business community, I would like to congratulate everyone, whether in India or abroad, who strived to have this mission completed.
We can foresee a major push to the local business. Many auxilliary industries and business sector will register a quantum growth in their turover.
My best wishes for all future developmental work in the airport.
Rohan Monteiro, realty entrepreneur, Mangalore
As a frequent traveller, I know the importance of time and also how business can suffer if time is lost.
Now on, the time-saving factor and avoiding the hassles of connecting flights from Mumbai will be the major benefits for the people flying from the Gulf.
They can save two days either way. Sectors like tourism and export of local produce can benefit a lot. Towards this purpose, other destinations in the Gulf initially, followed by other continents, should also get connectivity from Mangalore.
With the ONGC project on the anvil, there will certainly more flights from different centres to Mangalore very soon. My congratulations to everyone behind this great achievement.
B G Mohandas, Gulfvarthe.com, UAE:
We have been dreaming of this for many long years.
What had remained as only a topic of discussion all these years in now a reality.
I should compliment all individuals and groups who put in their efforts from various places, especially the UAE in the Gulf. This has been the wish of Daijiworld and Gulfvarthe.
We both should be happy over this achievement along with others.
We are here today to extend our hospitality to our fellow-Gulf residents who are the privileged ones to fly by the maiden flight.
N A Sulaiman, secretary, IATA Agents’ Association, Kerala
This is going to be a matter of great convenience for the people of northern Kerala, Malabar and the surrounding cities. Kasargod is one of the best known pockets of Gulf-based employees and businessmen. It has been a long-awaited dream of the people of Kasargod to fly to the Gulf from Mangalore. This airport was opened in 1951 and it is quite sad that it took 55 years to realize this status today. We are not satisfied with 3 flights a week from here. The passenger volume certainly requires daily flights. And I also request Indian Airlines to introduce their Gulf flights. As far as Kannur airport is concerned it will be definitely affected. We are in no way against Kannur airport coming up. At the same time Mangalore airport should also grow as this is an old dream.
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