SC and ST girls to become air-hostesses in TN

Chennai, Oct.22: At least 100 girls belonging to the scheduled caste (SC) and schedule tribe (ST) communities from rural areas are being trained for Air-hostesses" job under a course started by the Tamil Nadu Government in association with the Air Hostess Academy (AHA) here.

Affiliated to the Cambridge University, the Air Hostess Academy has offered two—one-year and two-year diploma courses—for young girls. After completion of the respective course and initial training, the girls will be eligible to become air-hostesses. The job would fetch them a handsome salary.

“This is the first time that the Tamil Nadu Government has announced this scheme. It is going on in a very good way. It is being monitored directly by the ministers and Managing Director of Tamil Nadu Dravida Association. They monitor it through personal interactions with students and inspections," said Kannan, the Manager with the Air Hostess Academy in Chennai.

"During last six months, there have been a lot of students who have been placed in the airlines industry also. Nearly 20 students have got the job in the airlines and they have started working for these companies," Kannan added.

The air-hostess course is a part of the Tamil Nadu Government's initiative to provide better opportunities in aviation, travel and hospitality for the girls from rural and tribal communities under the banner of The Adi Dravida Housing and Development Corporation Limited (TAHDCO).

Many students at the Air Hostess Academy opine that the course has instilled confidence in them.

"This is really a good step taken by the Tamil Nadu Government. I have got to learn a lot more things and have experienced a lot during this time. I am thankful to the Tamil Nadu Government," added Sowmiya, a student of AHA.

"This Academy is teaching a lot of things to us. We are learning international languages like German and we are improving our skills," said Arati Vidya, a student of AHA.

Parents of the students are happy, as they believe their daughters will have a better standing in society.

"I wanted my children to have higher studies and take up a good job. They got this with the help of the Tamil Nadu Government. It will add to our family"s prestige. My daughter's lifestyle has changed. It makes me really happy," said Gunashekar, father of Sowmiya.

Authorities at the Air Hostess Academy say that the earlier scenario when India had only two operators -- Air India and Indian Airlines-- has drastically changed with 17 more airlines operating 571 daily flights. As such there is tremendous scope for career as an air hostess.

The Tamil Nadu Government has sanctioned rupees one lakh for training of each student. Out of the hundred students at AHA, only 10 are from Chennai and the rest hail from interior and rural areas of Trichy, Madurai, Tirunelvali, Coimbatore, Tanjore and Thiruvalur.

ANI

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