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The schoolteacher who 'didn't' go home in a chopper

Swapna Khanna in New Delhi

What was supposed to be the biggest event in 60-year-old Ram Chand Sangwan's life, turned out to be a huge disappointment.

The school principal, who retired on Monday, was to be given a unique send-off -- a five-minute helicopter ride back home to Najafhgarh in west Delhi was how it was all planned out.

Instead Chand Ram went home in a car, feeling humiliated, because the chartered helicopter didn't turn up.

"We thought he should be given a memorable farewell," said Jain, a member of the Parents Teachers Association. "Some had suggested an elephant ride, others a buggy ride. Then someone came up with the idea of the helicopter ride."

The PTA wanted the event to be unique. And so was the helicopter called for.

Chand Ram was to take off along with two teachers, fly over Janakpuri, Uttam Nagar, Dwarka and Papan Kal, and land in a high school ground in Najafhgarh.

The seven-seater Bell helicopter was chartered for Rs 60, 000. Members of the PTA contributed Rs 35, 000 and Chand Ram put in the rest.

"When I saw the PTA so enthusiastic, they had even collected so much money, I decided to put in the rest," Chand Ram said. "We were all determined. We went from pillar to post to get the needed clearance."

"We thought this would be the first event of its kind in Delhi," said Jain, "But look what they have left us with -- humiliation!"

What happened was this: While addressing the public, former chief minister Sahib Singh Verma got a call saying that the much-awaited helicopter would not turn up since the company concerned had not got permission from the civil aviation authorities.

"They called up at the last moment and said that we had not given them enough time to survey the place and ask for permission," Chand Ram said. "We had spoken to the company a month ago. We submitted the money 10 days before. They confirmed that the helicopter would be here."

"I am told that the rich even have marriages in the sky. Just because I am poor they think they can play with our emotions," he added.

The retired principal, however, is going to see that he gets his ride. "My motto in life is to complete whatever task I undertake. I will show that a primary schoolteacher can also travel in a helicopter," he said.

"I will make sure the helicopter comes and that I go from here to home in it, be it today or tomorrow -- and that too in a 20-seater helicopter, with all my colleagues," he vowed.

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