AIR HOSTESS --A few pages from my dairy (Part C) Miracle in the Air port.

     Miracle in Madras air port,(Chennai)


                      My father and me seated in Madras Air port anxiously, not knowing what was kept ahead of us. We were asked to sit there and wait. It was a great adventure for me. Because I never left home all my life till then. I was 22 years old, fresh from University studies, all ways under the protection of parents. We were sitting in the Air port Lounge  waiting for our next step to be told. The chairs were seated  near the wall of the room.  My dad was so downhearted  he loved more than any one. His face was pale , seeing him like  could not bear the pain  in my heart.  Dead  silence reigning over us, we were unaware and uninterested of everything else in that room, except waiting silently for further instructions,

                 We both sat in complete silence for a long time ; suddenly dad said, " Leela,  you came into this world, on to this earth,in this place only , Madras: Now again you are leaving this earth in this same place"  I smiled feebly, remembering that I was born in Madras, Egmore Hospital when my dad was working as a Police officer in combined state of Madras and Andhra Pradesh.--Again that thud of  iron stone   was thumping in my heart , because I never saw my dad so sorrowful, in my life time.  He was having the courage of a Lion, but that day he was so sorrowful , even with traces of tears in his eyes. that made me to an uncontrollable agony in my heart.  

                 Again he said," Leela , after you reached Bombay ( Mumbai) who will receive you,and accommodate you,  I wonder, I will go and find out in the office."

                  After seeing his face I could understand that the Air India did not make any arrangements for our stay in Bombay. . Each person has to arranged their own accommodation, with friends or relatives. 
            But even after hearing  those words also , I was not afraid, on the other hand I remembered the Promise of God " MY GOD IS MY HELP , HE IS MY COMPANION"  and said the same to my dad, and it was his turn to be  astonished on seeing my courageous demeanor. 

         Miracle:   While I was talking to my dad, to my surprise  I saw a familiar face of a  girl, little knowing that she would be my companion in Air India. To my right side  in the chair opposite to me. Immediately even not telling my dad I jumped up to my feet at once , and reached her as if to catch a  fish in the pool water right in front of me,--
         "Hey you are Nirmalatha. Nirmalatha . Boddu. right? " Her surname is Boddu. she was as surprised as I was she immediately stood up and said " Hey Leela"-recognizing me at once. We both were giggling at each other, realizing that, we both studied 9th class to S.S.L.C together in the same Stall Girls' High School, Guntur in 1968----Later we were transferred to Vizayanagaram, Kakinada and then Vishakapatnam, where I did my Post graduation    ----7 Years passed away, How  could recognize her remembering her name even with her surname. and so was she !!Both of us in immense joy and we quickly went to my father very happily. My dad after coming to know that she too was coming as selected Air Hostess he was very happy, and he inquired about any body was going to receive her in Bombay.

                         She told us that her close relative all ready went to Bombay to receive her when she reached there by airplane, after knowing that I had none to receive me she assured us saying," Do not worry Uncle, Leela will be with me, my relative yesterday it self had gone to Bombay to receive me in the Air port, so Leela and me would be together, he already arranged  accommodation, so no worries" She happily informed  us.

                        Lo!!The sorrow was vanished my dad's worry erased, Nirmalatha's dad also was police officer in Guntur when we were there, so dad after knowing her father he was more relieved than before. Wonderful!!

                    Then the Air India Office staff started to call each one of us by name one by one.  We started to walk into the another room from the lounge with our papers, . That was a glass room, there was a table and out side that table dad was staring at me in tears. That was the very first time that I ever saw my dad in tears. But some strange courage  had encompassed me and strengthened me .The promise of the Lord, "I WILL BE WITH YOU EVEN WHEN YOU ARE IN THE SKIES" ringing in my heart .And  The Lord's miracle,and His PRESENCE assuring me as I was seeing  Nirmalatha in front of me.. This miracle confirms that God is very near to me and His presence was imminent. 

                 After I waved good bye to my dear dad,   I had to  turn back and walk towards the Air craft.  After I seated in the Air craft ,as the flight was taking off, into the clouds, I looked down through the window and found to my astonishment that there were heaps of s twinkling stars . Later I realized those were nothing but the electric lights in the dark night of the city.  It was 7:30 pm --(Winter 1975).    It was announced that we will reach Bombay within an hour, I knew my dad would not reach Madras Central Railway station by that time in bus , it would take more than  two hours.

              After we got down in Bombay Air port one or the other came for every one, to take them  We were told in the Air port office when we should report again , where should we meet Chief Air Hostess Miss Biladwala , which time we should report and where,, all that was written on a letter head, and given to us. THE FUTURE THAT WAS UNKNOWN TO ME WAS IN THE HANDS OF ALL KNOWN GOD, SO WHY SHOULD I FEAR? That was my source of courage.  I was not at all afraid, The gracious Lord had given me Nirmalatha as companion,affirming His Presence, what else I need?

        As Nirmalatha informed us before her relative came and took us to the accommodation which he arranged for her, I preferred to stay back in the Waiting room of Victoria Terminus Railway station , I slept that night in that room, and with the help of godly Anglo Indian Care Taker of the Waiting room I could sleep there on the floor after we both read the Bible and prayed together.  The next consequent three days Nirmalatha and myself went to Santacruz for Medical check up , which was very thorough, they checked every inch of the body  , and sent some people for treatment, even a spot on the body or face was taken into consideration. They accepted both of us. But some girls were sent back. This Medical check up was done for three days.

                The Air India staff arranged accommodation for us in Salvation Army Hostel,
 Y. W.C, A- hostels to join. Nirmalatha relative joined us there and went away. 

            Such a big city, we were two Andhra girls, ignorant, innocent, did not know the world, did not see local trains before, tender aged, but very strong willed, and courageous minded.  God had provided the companionship to one another so that miracle encouraged us very much.  

  

Speech I gave in the meeting YUVA BHERI, --- the copy is given to Jagan Mohan Reddy

The book Freedom at Midnight..gives us the beautiful story of  Freedom to India, the Independence Rajya.. But the decision taken in the Mid night again gave us the divided Andhra, two pieces  of the land where we were proud to live. We cried , shouted, objected and tried to voice our disapproval for dimension. None of us suspected that we loose Hyderabad. 
Then Prime Minister Dr, Manmohan Singh ORALLY  promised that AP will get Special Status. And in the middle of the night Mr. Chidhambaram announced that Andhra was divided  What we did not ask for was given to us without our consent, what we asked for was taken away from us. Who did not ask for divided, AP  and we asked for Spl Status. ..It look like we are under the cruel authority, That is all, nothing to be done,  Where is Hyderabad? We are left with nothing, a new state, We lost it , We lost all revenue on it. The smart cyderabad city, we lost our capital. In fact without out consent we are left with nothing. where we need to build everything from the scrap. but yet, special status is declined. ----Funny even an illiterate person if he gives Rs.1000/- t another person he would take his signature on a paper or a document, or sought for surety from him. but our great intellectual leaders just forgot to take the promise of special status on paper and on legislation. 
Now, then government washed off, so are those promises. Those promises are written on water, and now are at the pool of water staring at the ripple of the promises, would emerge one day. The new government is saying that they d not know the promises of the past government in the center. 
those people who reject spl status to the AP have 101 reaons . Then how could the great and intelectual, economist past PM could promised it to andhra? what was his agenda?
We are muffs, we believe every one, everything, Andhrulu yokka aaramba surathwam , and we think we are great people, our do not exercise transparency, but still we keep staring at the ripples of promises on the water. 
Here is our young leader, the son of our most beloved YSR, wherever YSR was people trembled, adored him loved him at the same time. What was his power, what was his charisma? Now we have jagan garu, the strong Leader of opposing party, the only party for which the hearts of Telugu people looking up. whether welike it or not the special status is at the bay and the special package is imposed upon us, All ready our cm is welcoming it, andagreed for it. and ready to take the promised amount , our people are happily nodding their heads,and they are quiet contented too. 
At this juncture I take the liberty to tell you dear leader, "where there is no vision people perish, we have hope in you, we have hope in your visions, we have dreams in your leadership. you have machinery, you have power, you have support, you have finance to reach the people, to serve them. Can you be  SERVANT LEADER?  we are looking for such leader. A voice of the people . Avery few leaders has such strong weapons like Sakshi new paper, Saakshi new tB channel, should these be just another entertaining, advertising commercial machinery?
Why dont you use them as your watch dog, as whistle blower? why don you bring on the truthful news, facts of the politics, your vision, your plans, your commitment, the sacrifice of your family  It should be a watch dog over the Promised budget, released budget, implemented budget. hear after.for the welfare of the state.
why lnot you chalk out a cell/ or an unit, consisting of only truthful transparent honest leaders, A unit which works as a watch dog for the welfare of the state. A cell in which there are bribe haters, dowry haters, honest, committed members, , I appeal to you please get hold of such members, Loyal lawyers, honest social workers, good leaders, faithful workers.

You have only 2 1/2 years, love andhra people, serve them sir, What i means that you would not get the love of people by giving money, welfare projects, Now a days people sell themselves to other who ever give money or liquor. 
I tell you people have that desire for Truth, all ways, their hearts are seeking for truth. there is a void in the hearts of people. Three thread rope will not be broken, be constructive opponent leader, Make all these wonderful intellectual people to seek TRUTH, make them vigilant, sharp, intelligent.. to be watch dogs, over this special package. we have to save ourselves. People need honest leader, go with the facts, constructive criticism  appreciation of good works.
My dear leader remember  that UNITE WE BUILD THE NATION. DEVIDE WE PERISH, 
Then every town in this state would become a Hyderabad, and Cyberbad, 
God has given you a great heritage, you know behind every successful man there is a succeful woman, make use of your wonderful family, power you inherited from your father, Seek the truth and righteousness ,love to become a good leader. Do not trust money , it will cheat you, but serve them and they will love you. 


GOD SPEED GOOD LEADER.














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AIR HOSTESS (1 Chpt.Part C)

                  "Lord give me your presence, Let you Spirit guide me, and be with me"---that was my prayer in those days. 
            The answer was like bolt from the sky as ever, clear, specific and straight to the heart--His sheep recognizes His voice, and He knows His own, and He takes care of them.
                   ''If I go up to the heavens,( SKIES) you are there, if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me your right hand will hold me fast; If I say, ' Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the darkness will not be dark to you, the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you."

                  Even if I am in the skies or in the depths of the earth, my Lord will be with me, His presence comforts me, Even I am among the men who are like wild beasts ta adjust with many type of the,. each one got a different type of mind, some of them were very proud, he Lord will protect me I will do my duty in my job, I will show my Lord Jesus Christ to the people, I will be a loyal employee in my  firm. Thus I decided and proceeded.  When I was in the University as it was a co-education studies, --I had to study among different types of men, not only that as I did my Social work in my P.G-i had to go to different fields ;  along with the boys of our batch,   I prayed about my studies among such type of men.     Once one of batch students tried to drag me into the unnecessary issues in no way I was concern, then the Lord gave me a promise.  "
              " You will be protected from the lash of the tongue, and need not fear when destruction comes,  You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the beasts of the earth. For you will have a covenant with the stones of the field, and the wild animals will be at peace with you. "
                Yes that was the promise of God which sustained me all through my life then and now, not only in my studies then , wherever I go on my work that promise is protecting me in spite of my unwise decisions certain times. 
                          Once as a part of our field work assignment in our P>G Studies in Social work we were asked to visit a Leprosy colony and study their medical , social and psychological back ground as a case study. , the next day I was supposed to go, , I was really scared to go, because i thought it was infectious disease , that night I got a dream, that i was residing in a one stone ,tallest pillared palace, where no one can reach me,, at that time i heard a voice saying "
        " Even if you stay in a such tallest palace above al the people, if my grace is not sufficient , you will get that infectious disease.' 
                  The answer was clear and straight again as all ways. Then I understood,  even I live among them, if His grace hovers over me, I will be safe. The same dream helped me to step into a job which may cause many temptations as some one already cautioned, " this job is full of temptations "

              The faithful Lord did a miracle in Madras Air port, any one can see the hand of God when they read the next incident. Its not man made, its God made life. There is no human involvement at any juncture, it God God alone the author of my life in a spectacular way.

AIR HOSTESS 1Chapter Part B

                 1974 , I was  studying in Andhra University , doing my M. A in Social work. I went to my friend's house waiting for Pamela Thomas who went to the other friend's house,Mangavalli,  which was in  the next street. Pamela was the daughter of  the Head Master of C.B.M school, in Vizag. Her mother told me to wait there for a few minutes as my friend would come soon. I was looking into the news paper, Indian Express which was kept on the table. If I was not there in that house, if I did not see the News paper there, there wouldn't be  any story to write this book. And my life would be quiet  different. But God knew that I was supposed to be there and it was already determined in His Plan for me. He had test for me and He wanted to see or test my love for Him. That was a hidden thing for me at that moment. As the life goes on I come to know that He reveals His plan to them page by page as we yield to His plan in our lives.

               It was just happened I saw an advertisement there , its about Air Hostess employment availability in Air India International Air Lines. which is in Santacruz, in Bombay.  I had gone through the qualifications required for this post, and they are there, she should be not less than 5.4' feet, weight should be less than 50 kgs, with a charming skin with perfect teeth, and good eye sight , fluency in English language and also knowing Hindi . The minimum education qualifications were S.S.L.C, they asked us to send a pass port photo front and side postures. 

               There at the table I remembered back in the employment exchange in 1970 in Kakinada after I finished my P.U.C and I was about to join in B.A degree in A.S.D women;s college . There in the office , on the wall I saw a an advertisement . As soon as I saw it I knew its just for me, all those qualifications required for the post , I felt I have. That was all I never gave one more minute over that advertisement till I see again the advertisement in Indian Express on that day. And I never thought the opportunity of changing my life completely from that moment was just that, that minute. 

                Seeing the news paper and the advertisement in Pamela' house made the sleeping desire of becoming Air Hostess was awaken. I thought it would be good if I apply many jobs and attend the jobs to earn some experience of Interviews in seeking employment. I had to finish my Post Graduation yet, but this experience would help me in long run. That was my opinion when I wanted to apply for that job that day.  I used to read Competition Success and Reader;s Digest regularly to  update my knowledge about further preparation in life. so I applied for the post as Air Hostess in Air India.in 1974. Later that year I got a call letter for interview in the same post from Air India Office in Hyderabad.  I went to attend the interview hope to have experience of Interviews.  The officer  asked me some questions  and asked me' whether I would get First class in my P.G studies 'as I am in last semester at that time.   God Willing" I answered just like that,  "What?' he stressed the question once again, a little surprise in his eyes for I brought God in my answer I suppose.  I repeated the same answer ' If it is His grace I will get the First class , little knowing that i would be deprived of that shortly. He told a few instructions about personal care , especially hair etc. for the next meet.
Thought I did not heed much or ponder over it. 

     I forgot about that interview in course of time too. We finished my last semester exams, I did not quest for important questions, never asked any one about that matter, even when the opportunity was just in front of me I was never tempted by leaked questions or whatever. I studied A to Z of the syllabus so My answeres in exams was no where in comparison with the others who got certain questions to be prepared for the exam. Naturally I could not get the marks they got, or the class they got. or the medals they achieved. I told my dad that I would certainly get good first class marks but I lost it with just less 1% marks therefore my dad was very much disappointed with my performance and we both were very low in spirit that day. But the same day I got a registered letter in post informing me that I was selected as Air Hostess and they gave guidelines for me to come and join in Air Port , Santaruz, Bombay.  The letter says that I would get some scholarship during the training and that I need a little money as deposit, this and many other instructions , which really filled my eyes with enthusiasm  all of us in the home were uplifted in spirit with this appointment letter. I felt like I was flying into the sky like an airplane. The whole atmosphere in the house completely changed, in the place of sorrow there came joy and smiles.

                

AIR HOSTESS-- A few pages from my Dairy ( 1 Chapter PART A)

            Let me go back to the days of my yesteryear, wherein I was selected as an Air Hostess in Air India ;  the post which was mostly coveted by many young girls now and then. Its like a profession which look like the moon in the sky. not  within the reach of many ordinary folks. 

            Working in the aircraft was a dream, but that dream came into reality in my case and I enjoyed the  period of my stay over there to the utmost.  Many of us knew how would be the training of a police man, or a lecturer or doctor or an engineer; as we see them in our daily life, we have some idea or some information regarding those posts. But the Air hostess is not a person who is to be seen in our vicinity frequently, nor we have a chance to be associated with them on daily basis as the other posts. Even PM or CM or President of America,or Celebrity of Cine field, we see the type of work they do  on tv screen but not the Air Hostess.

            So most of the people look in awe when they come to know that I  was selected as an Air hostess and was with Air India, they express their desire to find out details of the life of this profession. 

           On duty or off the duty, the Air Hostesses maintain a sort of secluded life from the common folks, due to the commitment to the profession or due to the status they have in the hierarchy of the profession. They do not normally mingle with the ordinary folks but maintain their own status quo and enjoy it to its utmost.

           Later as a lecturer in a Women's College, I taught 45000  of  students  in my career, and all ways they were informed by the previous batch of students that I was an Ex Air Hostess, and thereby among many types of information they sought from me, the life of an Air Hostess all ways popped up as their first priority. 

          In fact this chapter is inspired by my students whose thirst for this information all ways haunts me even after my retirement. So as I used to answer all their curious questions, now I am happy to recall and put that information in this book.  

          Apart from huge salary there have been umpteen other attractive package of life earnings in this profession; like we can visit all the countries in the world as we wish, meet the most important people, leaders, or celebrities in different walks  of life. This profession is a continuous adventurous, challenging active and glamorous profession. As we visit number of countries we earn a lot of experiential knowledge which is not available so easily in other professions.

           This job though it look like very attractive outwardly, is not an easy job, there includes many difficulties and responsibilities which can not be ignored at any moment. Its a  24x7 hours job, all ways being ready to attend the call of duty. All ways on stand-by, ready to go on job,day and night, any time. The vehicle will come and pick you up at your home within three hours of time for the duty. Usually two air hostesses will be asked to go on flight in one duty, one has to be at home as stand-by , the other on duty, when the one called for duty could not attend the  due to some unavoidable circumstances the other one at home who is on stand-by duty duty should be ready to go.

          The passengers should be treated as the most valuable ,receiving them in most hospitable way, mingling with the security teams in impeccable way m takesits toll through out the duty., Taking the most interest in arranging the comfortable travelling experience to the passengers through out the duty by showing their places and attending their needs requires constant alertness and sweetness of the personality in spite of any problems faced in the duty or or off the duty, should not be reflected.  Some times very demanding passengers create very annoying situations to both the crew and also to the co passengers, even then the Air hostess is expected not to be disturbed in her demeanor or show her restlessness at any cost outwardly.
              The SMILE on her face is the most important part of her UNIFORM along with the patience and the skill of communication in dealing with every passenger. My class teacher once said, " When a passenger says, that 'White is black , and black is white, you are supposed to accept it , and let it go.' Its all most like the first rule of the duty!!---It means the Air Hostess does not show her own views or opinions in her behavior, need to be in a compromising position in her work, not creating any unnecessary problems with the customers. And behave like a cat on the wall, never expressing any thing which creates disputes. 

            As I was inexperienced and young with radical opinions of life at that time, I wondered, "how can it be, how can I say like that? how can I accept truth is a lie and lie is a truth? I wont agree like that.." Not knowing consequences , due to youthful boiling blood and uncompromising attitude of that age. and it strongly  affects me in a funny manner in those days.

                                                                                                                                The lady crew members are known as Air Hostess, and male crew is known as Flight Purser,or Steward.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       There are opportunities to get promotions in this field as Sr. Flight Attendant,
Head attendant, Chief Attendant and Chief Air hostess etc. The job period as Air Hostess is approximately 8 to 10 years, later one can opt for Ground duties as absorb as Ground Staff. Chief Air Hostess duty is to give recruitment and training to the new Air Hostesses. 

             To be employed as an Air Hostess, one should posess certain personal qualifications, More than academic qualifications, these persoality attributes are mostly checked for the selection and through out the profession. Mostly S.S.L.C is the basic academic qualification required in the  Air India International
 Air lines, where I worked. But in many other Airlines at least a graduate qualifications is required. Certificates and experience in  Hotel management, tourism are additional qualifications sought by the employer. The age should be between 18-25 years only. The height should be not less than 157.5 centimeters,  The weight should be correlated to the height, and its a very important criteria. 
          One should be very good in English speaking ability and should know Hindi and knowing any Foreign language is considered as an extra qualification..Only unmarried women are accepted to this post. Some air lines do not mind this rule that much.

           The eye sight should be 6/6, and the vision of the both eyes should be perfect ,one should posses Indian Passport, or one should be Indian citizen, The skin of the face is most importantly clean, glamorous, and charming, one should maintain good physical fitness. Girls who are fatty or skinny are not  chosen for this job. The outward appearance is most important and at the same time the personal qualifications are extra important. The air hostess is all ways be observed about her dealings in the Air port or in Air craft. The body moments, or body language is keenly observed and corrected too. the gestures and mannerisms  should be refined.   Only those who can amicably mingle with every one could be adjusted in the profession.  The voice, the tone, the way we talk or communicate  should be sweet and harmonious and pleasant. People with creek, high pitch  voice, or tone will not be selected. One should have the conscience to deal with any situation intelligently. and able to work in teams without any disruptions, The most important thing is one should be able to take up a decision and pursue it in times of calamity for the welfare of every one. 

                              The communication skills, the language, the fluency , the clarity, the explaining capacity is the utmost criteria in choosing an air hostess. Working with the group for hours together with out any hiccups or maladjustment while travelling miles and miles of distances is expected on duty. One should maintain good stamina, getting tired or showing the tiredness on person is not expected. 

                 After one is selected for this post, one has to write many tests and exams to be appointed as an Air Hostess. Most of the exams are Objective or Multiple choice questions. It means the details should be on finger tips while preparing for the exams. After the exams are written successfully one will be observed in group discussions, How we participate in group discussions is very important, to participate in group discussion one should have the knowledge of the given topic, capability of expression in proper words in short time, patience to listen to other's point of view , having respect for the opposing views and skill to convince others,etc.
       But if one has an attitude of-- 'obstinate nature, or lack  of universal understanding of the other's point of views, and speaking in shriek voice to blurted out  about their own opinion, empowering others by nasty remarks, or speaking loudly even though the subject is unknown to them, just to show that they too are participating in the group discussion'--- is mostly objectionable and such candidates will not be spared.

             Usually all of us of the same age, and mostly the topics are given in generally applicable to the duties of the Air craft the discussions used to be very active and energetic. 
            The topic chosen for the group discussion should be according to the profession, for example the Actors and Doctors cannot be clubbed together to discuss on a topic as  " Action or Medicine". The topics chosen often chosen from our duty matters, and world wide knowledge of different situations. 

         They teach Technical as well as Non Technical issues in the training period. Like safety precautions, First Aid, Emergency cautions, etc. They also teach about the psychology of the passenger., Communication is a skill and art, salary is very high like rupees 75 thousand to one or two lakhs in the beginning.

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