Uttarakhand: In a remarkable display of determination, four B.Ed. students from Rajasthan hired a helicopter to reach their final semester exam centre in flood-hit Munsiyari, Uttarakhand. Severe rains, landslides, and road blockages had left them stranded in Haldwani, just as they were preparing to write their crucial paper on September 3.
The students — Omaram Choudhary, Magaram Choudhary, Prakash Choudhary, and Lucky Choudhary — are pursuing their Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree through correspondence from Uttarakhand Open University. Their exam was scheduled at RS Tolia PG College in Munsiyari, but as road conditions worsened, taxi drivers refused to take them any further. Faced with the possibility of losing an entire academic year, the group decided on an extraordinary solution: flying to their exam centre.
A last-minute rescue by helicopter
The students reached out to Heritage Aviation, explaining their plight. Responding sympathetically, the company arranged a special flight. Each student paid ₹10,400 for the round trip.
What would normally have been a 280-kilometre road journey taking 10 hours was reduced to just 25–30 minutes by air. Two pilots flew the group safely to Munsiyari, ensuring they arrived in time to sit for their final exam.
“We were very disheartened and feared losing a year, but thanks to the helicopter service, we were able to appear for our exam,” said Omaram Choudhary, speaking to The Indian Express.
His colleague Magaram Choudhary added, “We got to know that roads are blocked and we cannot reach our exam centre by road. We took the services of a helicopter and reached our exam centre.”
Relief and joy after the exam
After completing their paper, the students returned to Haldwani by the same helicopter. A selfie video shared online showed them waving cheerfully inside the copter, their relief and excitement evident.
All four are employed as primary school teachers in Rajasthan while pursuing their higher education. They admitted the experience was nerve-wracking, but also thrilling.
“We never imagined we would have to fly by helicopter just to attend an exam. But it turned out to be our only option,” Omaram said.
Social media reaction
Their unusual journey quickly went viral, striking a chord with netizens. Many praised their perseverance and quick thinking.
One user commented, “Full marks for their efforts.” Another jokingly wrote, “Imagine doing this only to hear paper leak ho gaya.”
Some also highlighted the inspiring story these teachers will be able to share with their students in the future. “They can literally flex before their kids: hum exam dene helicopter se jaya karte the,” a user quipped.
Dedication against all odds
The incident is a testament to the importance of education and the lengths students are willing to go to secure their future. Despite floods, blocked roads, and heavy expenses, the four teachers showed that determination and resourcefulness can overcome even the harshest challenges.