In a commendable effort, the headmaster of TNDTA, an aided primary school from Pandarampatti in Thoothukudi district, has fulfilled his students’ wishes by taking them on a field trip to Chennai by air.
S. Nelson Ponraj, the headmaster, accompanied 17 students from class V, along with two parents, on a field trip to Chennai by boarding a scheduled flight from Tuticorin airport.
Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Ponraj said the initiative stemmed from a classroom discussion on different modes of transportation, which is a part of class V social science syllabus covering major transportation such as railways, airways, metro trains etc., While discussing the topic, a student expressed his longing to experience a train or flight journey. “I have seen the airplanes flying above us and heard the horn sound of the train, but I have never travelled on one,” said the student.
The headmaster added that he was moved by the heartfelt statement from the student, and decided to take them on all possible kinds of transportation. “I personally visited the Tuticorin airport, inquired about the ticket prices and booked them three months back,” he mentioned.
He noted that the travel itinerary was planned in a way that the students could experience all kinds of transportation. They boarded a flight from Tuticorin airport on Saturday (March 22) morning, took an electric train to reach Vandalur Zoo, experienced a metro train ride and returning to Thoothukudi on Sunday (March 23) through Muthu Nagar (Pearl City) Express from Egmore railway station.
“Watching the students experiencing each ride for the first time and seeing their excitement at Vandalur zoo has brought immense satisfaction within me,” Mr. Ponraj noted.
Hepzi Grena, one of the students on the trip, expressed her joy, saying, “We never imagined such a trip to Chennai, and travelling with friends made it even more special.”
Published - March 22, 2025 06:46 pm IST
