Hurrying home after her examination, little Akanksha had little else on her mind on Saturday, as all roads, for her, ought to have led to Begumpet Airport for a dekko of the aircraft on display at India Aviation-2012. With gates opening for the public, Akanksha, along with her parents and younger brother Anirudha in tow, were among the sizeable crowd.
The venue took a picnic-like atmosphere, as several children ran around with the Tricolour, fathers carried the young ones on their shoulders and families, like those of Akanksha, posed in front of helicopters and aircraft. Guards manning the barricades had to be stern to keep visitors off the prohibited area of ‘static display’.
While only 11 aircraft were still on display, it was hardly a dampener for those itching for a closer look. “An aircraft is a dream machine for every child. The stalls and the aircraft here are enough to make our trip worth the effort,” said Varaah, a young visitor. While impressed with the scale models of various planes, Varaah was disappointed they were not for sale.
Claiming that about 30 per cent Americans have not seen the inside of a plane in their lives, an official said, “Obviously the number of Indians who have not seen a plane from close quarters is bound to be much higher. Even those with ‘static pass’ were not allowed to enter the aircraft on Saturday. It would have become difficult to explain others that they cannot enter the plane.” Among those who visited the event on Saturday was former AP director general of police H.J. Dora.