Under-priviliged kids board flight to seventh heaven

Aurangabad, Maharashtra, May 7 (UNI) It was actually a flight of fantasy for 81 under-privileged children in this district.

The children, drawn from various schools in this district, were literally transported into seventh heaven on board a Jet Airways flight operated in association with Swayamsidh school for autistic and disabled, the deaf and dumb school, the Navjeevan society for handicapped and mentally retarded and the Paithan government orphanage.

The Children had stars in their eyes due to the presence of former Miss India and actress Dia Mirza and and cricketer Vinod Kambli on the flight.

Narrating their experience, the children said they felt a myriad of emotions ranging from exhilaration to fear.

Vishal, who stays in a reformatory here, marvelled that ''we were much above the clouds''.

Surabhi and Ameya, both mentally challenged students, gazed with wonder at the sky while Piyush and Chetan could not contain their delight.

Another child, Mukta, leisurely sipped lime juice and played with balloons.

At the end of the flight, the children were taken to a five-star hotel for lunch.

Mr Harish Baijal, Deputy Commissioner of police (traffic-Mumbai), who was the inspiration behind the flight of fantasy, said bringing joy in the lives of these children, even for a day, gave him and the crew immense satisfaction.

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