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Joyous exclamations and hurrahs of youngsters erupted amidst the tranquillity of the pressurised cabin as the wheels of an ATR 72-500 started rolling on Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s runway. They were nowhere near nervous boarding an aircraft for the first time. Instead the sounds of bliss grew as the aircraft rose over 15,000 feet.
Once the cruising altitude was reached, sixth-grader Sharmin peered through the window and shouted, “There, hills of clouds!” Her mouth was agape with incredulity.
Sharmin is one of 20 students of a Jaago Foundation school who got the opportunity of experiencing an exceptional pleasure trip organised on Tuesday by Novoair, one of the country’s leading private carriers, as part of its corporate social responsibility.
The foundation is a non-government organisation catering to educational needs of children from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
“Flight Fantasy” took the children away from the hustle and bustle of Dhaka to the world’s longest unbroken sea beach in Cox’s Bazar.
“I never imagined that I would be able to dip my toes in the sea after an adventurous journey by plane,” said another sixth-grader, Tamjid Islam. He expressed his gratitude to the airline for taking them on this trip.
The delights continued with a visit to Bangladesh’s biggest aquarium, Radiant Fish World. Afterwards the children were taken to lunch and presented gifts before being flown back in the evening.
“Journey by plane, walking along the sea shore and watching underwater aquatic animals and flora at the aquarium will be unforgettable memories of my life,” said Umme Habiba, another student.
Mofizur Rahman, managing director of the airline, said, “I hope through such experiences the students will be able to broaden their imagination, which ultimately helps develop creativity. I hope one day they become pilots, aircraft engineers or cabin crew.”
He said the airline also distributed medicines for free among the destitutes, sponsored sports competitions and held various events on a regular basis.
Rahman, Mes-bah-ul-Islam, head of marketing and sales, Korvi Rakshand, executive director of Jaago Foundation, and a group of journalists had accompanied the students.
Established in 2007, Novoair flies six times a day from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar, six to Chattogram, five to Saidpur and Jashore, twice to Sylhet and Barishal and once to Rajshahi and Kolkata.
(TDS)
