Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (RD)
Udupi, Feb 1: "An airport would come up in Manipal, by next year", announced Capt GR Gopinath, chairman and chief executive officer of Air Deccan.
He was speaking during the annual day celebrations of Welcome Group Graduate School of Hotel Administration, which was held on Thursday January 31, at Hotel Valley View, Manipal.
An international airport would be essential to Manipal, since overseas students arrive to study here in large number. He had brought Capt Deshpande with him, in order to undertake survey on the feasibility of setting up airport in Manipal, he added.
Middle class can also afford air travel:
"The merger of Kingfisher Airlines and Deccan Air has been a progressive move" announced Capt Gopinath, while emphasizing on his plans to make air travel affordable to middle class families. Accordingly, once the complete merger takes place at the earliest, 600 flights of new entity of airline would cover 80 towns across the country.
His early study in Kannada medium school:
Capt Gopinath had a humble beginning in a village, being born to a poor teacher, studying in Kannada medium school. He narrated his success in aviation sector and attributed it to hardwork.
Dr Ramdas M Pai presided over the programme. Dr HS Ballal, pro-chancellor, Dr RP Warrier, chancellor, Ashok Bhalla, vice-president of ITC Ltd, Hotel division, were the guests of honour, present at the occasion.
Kulamohan Singh, vice-principal welcomed the gathering. BN Kaul, chief administration officer, presented the report. Anil Pai proposed vote of thanks while Srilatha Rao compered the programme.