I have been deeply moved on three evocative occasions in my life. The first was when I stood on The top of a snowy peak in the Niligiris. My first sight of the sea was another occasion which also fascinated me much. But my first flight on the air was the most exciting experience in my life.
It was last summer. My Father told me that he would have to go to Delhi for a few days on official work. My father wanted to take my mother and me with him. My school was closed. This news itself was exciting to me, but the real surprise was yet to come. I could not sleep well the night before. At last the D-day arrived. We set out for the airport; it was early in the morning.
Our plane was ready for flight. It was a very big and spacious airplane with luxurious seats. It looked so royal, impressive and wonderful. It was for the first time that 1 had boarded on airplane. I was really excited and full of many expectations.
At the same time, I was very nervous. I feared that accidents might happen on the way. I thought that the engine might burst and the machines come down with a crash. I was afraid that the pilot might make a mistake and I have to pay for it with my life. All these and other misgivings troubled me before I got into the airplane. However, I took my seat which was beside a window.
The pilot started the engines which gave out a loud roar, and then it began to move on the runway. As the plane went higher and higher up in the air, a strange sensation ran through my body. Soon, the motion was easy. The fear which overtook me at the time of flight was no more in my heart. When the plane was at sufficient height, I looked through the pane of window. The earth seemed to be “falling off” from us. The big buildings looked like small spots of beauty. The sky was clear. Its light blue colour added to its beauty. Everything looked new and strange. Men and women seemed to be like so many Lilliputians creeping here and there.
We had our dinner at our seats and I was introduced to the members of the plane crew. There was the chief pilot who commanded the plane. Then there was a co-pilot, a navigator and three belonging to the plane. One of them was an engineer, another radio expert and the third radioman. There were several air hostesses to look after the passengers.
We flew over the roofs of many tall buildings. I felt that I was going to touch the blue sky. The most beautiful thing was the scene around me. We were surrounded by pure air. I saw white clouds floating here and there. I felt how much powerful man is! He had conquered nature. He had won victory even over the air.
After some time the airplane began to glide downward. We reached our destination safely.
The journey was so pleasant and comfortable that I can never forget it. I can still visualize the entire trip. It is an evocative event of my life.
