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Air India India’s national carrier hosted screening of the film Airlift for its employees and partner affiliates at the Big Cinemas located in Niles IL on Sunday January 31, 2016. The film starring Akshay Kumar and Nimrat Kaur depicts the largest evacuation in history, the story of 177,000 Indian refugees who were stranded in Kuwait during the Gulf War crisis and their acts of heroism.
The hugely successful event had more than 150 people in attendance including family members of Air India employees, partner affiliates and prominent members of the Chicago community. Among the attendees was Mr. O.P Meena the community welfare from Chicago Consulate General.
Prior to the screening, Nakul Chand the regional manager welcomed all the attendees, and he talked about how Air India had been in the thick of action, during the crisis and was running more than 15-20 flights a day from Kuwait to bring the refugees back to India.
According the Nakul Chand the idea to screen the film came from the regional office to highlight the role Air India played during the Gulf war when the carrier single-handedly airlifted more than 111,000 people. “ I happened to be in Mumbai working for Air India at that time when this occurred and this was a landmark event for us, this movie will help us tell the world that Air India has not just served as a carrier transporting passengers but also what Air India has done for the world in their time of need “ said Chand.
Among the attendees was a ex Major Rakesh Asthana who was among one of the people stranded in Kuwait at the time of crisis and was involved in helping Indian refugees at the school camp. “ I must say that we were all in a tough situation and the Indian Government and Air India was there to help us, not single penny was paid by any of the rescuees to the Indian government or Air India for their support. I want to share that they transported me and my dog safely out of the crisis for which I am forever grateful.”
The audience reaction to film was “excellent” “This was a great film, India movies are usually filled of romance and violence and I am so happy to see an emotionally touching movie about a heroic and historical event.” Syed Hussaini
“I feel like I was one of them, since I am living outside of my country, I was emotionally trapped by this movie, I’m very happy that a few people can make huge humanitarian effort like this happen and I believe we need more officers like this.” Minhaj Akhtar
“I thought it was really well done depiction of a passed refugee crisis and it made me think of the current refugee crisis going on right now, it made me think of identity and what it means to be Indian and was a good exploration of what humanity is and how your can show it,” said Ruchi Mahadeshwar daughter of an Air India employee.
The post National Carrier ‘Lifts’ Community With Screening Of The Film ‘Airlift’ appeared first on News India Times.
