Rajasthan Students Hire Helicopter to Reach Uttarakhand Exam Centre Amid Landslides

In a determined bid to not miss their crucial exams, four B.Ed students from Rajasthan's Balotra town hired a helicopter to navigate landslide-blocked roads and reach their test centre in Uttarakhand's remote Munsiyari area, showcasing resilience amid adverse weather.

The students—Omaram Jat, Mangaram Jat, Prakash Godara Jat, and Narpat Kumar—enrolled in Uttarakhand Open University, arrived in Haldwani on August 31, only to discover heavy rains had triggered landslides, closing all routes to Munsiyari. "We feared losing a year if we couldn't take the exam," Omaram recounted.

Initially, they learnt Heritage Aviation's regular Haldwani-Munsiyari service was suspended due to bad weather. Undeterred, they contacted the company's CEO, pleading their case. He promptly arranged a special flight with two pilots, safely transporting them to R S Tolia PG College for the exam and back to Haldwani.

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The one-way fare was Rs 5,200 per person, a small price for securing their academic future. Somesh Kumar, in charge of the B.Ed examinations, noted that the candidates had selected the Munsiyari centre themselves.

This incident highlights the challenges posed by Uttarakhand's monsoon woes, where frequent landslides disrupt connectivity, especially in hilly regions. The students' innovative solution underscores the lengths to which individuals go to pursue education, even as authorities work to restore access amid ongoing rains. 

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