From motor mechanic to owner of an airliner

Amritsar, Oct 15 (UNI) He toiled for 40 long years in England and through sheer hard work rose from being a mechanic to the owner of an airlines.

''I went to England at the age of 16 and like any other Punjabi youth, I had high dreams, which have been fulfilled by God's grace,'' said owner of Air Slovakia airlines Harjinder Singh Sidhu while talking to UNI after paying obeisance at the Golden Temple here today.

Having earned the distinction of being the first Sikh to own an International Airline, Mr Sidhu, with roots in Nabha in Patiala district, yesterday brought home his first flight from Cologne (Germany) via England.

Taking over Air Slovakia last month with three Boeing aircraft in the fleet, Mr Sidhu said his airline would be full of 'Punjabi flavour'.

Around 112 passengers, including Mr Sidhu and his family, on board the Air Slovakia Boeing touched down at the Raja Sansi airport yesterday amidst much fanfare.

''It is the greatest day of my life. I knew that one day I will own my own airline and with taking over of Air Slovakia, the dream has come true,'' he said while thanking the 'Waheguru' with folded hands.

''I had a wish to fly in my own plane to this Holy City and this has been fulfilled,'' he added.

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