Modi in the air, Joy of Alibhai, others, and power of Social Media

In picture:Alibhai GhulamHussain Contractor wishing Modi all the very best

By Somindu.S, Ahmedabad, 23 May 2013It was just a usual Air India domestic flight on 21-May-2013 taking off from Ahmadabad passengers had settled down and AI-818 took off normally. As soon as seat belt signs were taken off, suddenly people in the front getting up and walking to first raw, there was some activity. The people at back thought some celebrity might have boarded flight. But why would such VIP take this flight which was Air India’s normal flight.

Normally Pleasant experience and Air India flights are considered oxymoron. Not on this day, all the passengers were wearing big broad smile. As soon as they got down all of them were busy sending their pics from mobile to friends or calling frantically to friends and relatives and sharing their inflight experience.

So here is what exactly happened.
Narendra Modi took this flight as common passenger to attend BJP central parliamentary board meeting. The initial euphoria of front benchers had spillover effect on the people in the back. In spite of warnings by Air Crew, people were rushing to go to meet, greet and importantly take picture with the Charismatic CM.

Air crew got alarmed that if everyone came in front, there could be problem in flight balance. This prompted Gujarat CM to get up and he calmed everyone that they may sit down and that he will come to them. Rest was history or a life changing experience for the passengers. As if a festive mood took over the plane.

In picture:Festive mood on AI-818 on 21-May-2013

Not only CM went to everyone, he let them take as many pictures as possible gladly, making them feel, he has all the time in the world for them. He shared laugh, greetings and chatted with almost everyone. The gentleman in picture Alibhai GulamHusain Contractor, a businessman who was on this flight for vacation could not believe his luck and greeted CM with all warmth. His daughter Hafeza took this picture. Her Friend Anushree could not stop talking about the experience. She was all the way on Social Media sharing her experiences.

What touched most of the people was that he was travelling in no frill economy class and that he had all the humility in the world to come to meet common people. May be this was the rare AirIndia flight where people wanted to stay in as long as they can stay. The experience of pleasant meeting with CM, touched the life of 180 odd passengers and multiplied many times as they shared it with their family and friends.