MB#87: 𝙈𝙮 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙁𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙑𝙞𝙟𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙙𝙖 𝙆𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙣𝙖 𝙍𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙁𝙪𝙡𝙛𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙈𝙮 𝘿𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢.

[MemoirBlogthon #87] In 1968, amidst the once-in-12-years Krishna Pushkaralu—when devotees flocked to Vijayawada for holy dips—a small advertisement captured my imagination: a private charter flight offering 30 minutes over the city for Rs. 50. Though my sister worried about the cost, I was mesmerized, running out three times a day just to watch the flight and hear its roaring sound. This blog details my father’s quiet observation and eventual surprise: a ticket for me and my younger brother. It captures the mix of excitement, fear, and wonder felt by two schoolboys, from the stomach-dropping lift-off and the awe of seeing Vijayawada as a miniature map to the thrilling moment the plane seemed to glide just above the river water—a foundational adventure that shaped my perspective on travel forever.

MB#87: This is an aerial glimpse of Vijayawada's Krishna River.

The Call of the Sky During Pushkaralu 🙏

The year was 1968, and Vijayawada was alive with the fervor of the Krishna Pushkaralu, a major festival held every 12 years. As a schoolboy on holiday, I spent my time assisting my grandparents and relatives as they engaged in rituals, prayed, and took holy dips in the Vijayawada Krishna River, often proceeding to the Kanakadurga temple and the industrial exhibition at PWD ground.

However, an advertisement for a private charter flight that offered half-hour city tours, starting and ending at Gannavaram (Vijayawada Airport), caught my attention. The cost was Rs. 50 per person, irrespective of age, and the agency even offered free pickup and drop-off.

I shared my wish with my sister, who expressed apprehension about the price and the likelihood of our parents agreeing to send me alone. Nevertheless, from the start of the festival, whenever the flight was in the sky, I would rush out of the house, spending minutes outside to watch it, enjoying its roaring sound until it vanished from sight. I repeated this mission three times a day, raising my head and rotating my face to track the aircraft's path.

The Quiet Gift from My Father 🤫

My sister conveyed my intense interest to my father, but there was no immediate sign of permission. One day, my father quietly kept track of my ritual—coming out, watching the flight, and heading back inside. When he finally asked what I was doing, I eagerly showed him the newspaper clipping. He understood my desire but remained non-committal.

Despite my dedicated assistance to every relative, escorting them safely to the river bathing ghats and back, the thought of the ride lingered. I wondered if this dream was simply not in my luck.

Then, on the seventh day of the festival, the surprise came: my father calmly told me that my younger brother and I would go for the ride! He assigned his office clerk the task of buying two tickets for the afternoon trip. I was jubilant, realizing I was about to fulfill my desire to see the entire city of Vijayawada from the sky. Our household servant dropped us at the charter flight's city office and assured us of his return in two hours.

Lift-Off: Excitement, Fear, and Awe ✨

A mini-bus carried us from the city office to the airport. We went straight to the waiting flight on the runway. The air hostess, perhaps seeing our schoolboy excitement, gave my brother and me extra chocolates. My younger brother demanded the window seat, and I happily compromised with the aisle seat.

The schoolboys' first flight was a potent mix of emotions. The excitement built before boarding, mixed with pre-flight nerves. Then came the thrill of the "jump"—the acceleration on the runway, the loud rumble of the engines, and the sudden lift-off. My younger brother immediately closed his eyes and ears, nervous and about to cry, but for me, the initial terror was replaced by exhilaration.

In the air, a new perspective opened up. Looking out the window was breathtaking. Houses and roads shrank into tiny models, and the vast sky was a clear, beautiful, and welcoming expanse. I noticed the sensory details: the quiet hum of the plane after takeoff and the pressure change in our ears, which we eased by swallowing and yawning.

The flight was filled with pure wonder, especially when gliding above or through the clouds. I felt a deep sense of freedom, having never experienced such a view of Vijayawada from the sky. The most memorable moment was when the pilot briefly passed the aircraft over the river water, giving us the incredible feeling that the plane might actually touch the Krishna River below.

The Lasting Impression 🗺️

The landing was a unique experience, marked by the plane's descent and the slight tummy drop before touching down. My brother, who was still scared, held on to my arm. The short 30-minute adventure ended with a mix of relief that the landing was safe and a hint of sadness.

The experience was more than just a trip; it was an unforgettable adventure that taught us about the excitement of exploring new perspectives. We narrated the story to our friends for about a year until the excitement eventually faded.

What my father quietly initiated for that short charter flight helped me as a grownup adult, preparing me with confidence and wonder for all the domestic and international flights I would take later in life.

MB#80: Quiz

MB87- Question: During which specific religious festival, held every 12 years, did the author's first flying experience take place?

Change Image

• A. Godavari Pushkaralu.
• B. Krishna Pushkaralu.
• C. Diwali.
• D. Kumbh Mela.

MB#87: Quote

"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it." – Michelangelo