Former air hostess to set up helpline in Hyderabad airport

• Amrita Ahluwalia, who saved a minor girl from the clutches of an Arab man a decade, takes voluntary retirement
• Her mission is now to go to the rescue of those in distress at the airport

Hyderabad: Former air hostess Amrita Ahluwalia, who saved a minor grill from the clutches of her 60-year-old Arab husband a decade ago, has now decided to set up a helpline at the airport in Hyderabad.

Back in 1991 Amrita Ahulwalia shot into prominence when she found a crying 11-year-old Ammena aboard the Hyderabad-New Delhi flight as she was accompanied by her husband of the age of her grandfather. She alerted the police who helped the girl from being flown to the Gulf. “It is a shame for our country that cases like Ameena are still persistent and many go unreported,” said Amrita, recollecting the incident.

The former air hostess, who spent 38 years serving with Indian Airlines, has taken voluntary retirement and dedicated herself to setting up the helpline.

Through the helpline she wants to go to the aid of anyone needing help on arrival or at the time of departure.

“I find many people stranded at the airport, including women deserted by their husbands and domestic servants who mostly are seen in helpless situations,” said Amrita She added, “Many women feel hesitant in approaching the police at the airport, and this is where the helpline can fill the gap.”

The helpline, which is likely to start from the first week of January, will have a counselling and rehabilitation centre having three volunteers as well as a networking facility with a law enforcement department.

With Ammena’s case, Ahluwalia started working to help women in distress through an NGO Srishti, which she runs from her house and she is determined to help as many as possible distressed women and children by her own without taking any funds.

When asked her entry into the social work accidental, Amrita who is also a cancer survivor said, “God has given me a second life. I have achieved what I wanted in my life by becoming an air hostess but now want to help those in distress,”

She feels that there are many Ameenas needing help, “I want to reach all those people who need my help,” said Amrita, a native of Haryana who shifted her residence from New Delhi to Hyderabad in 1992.

Amrita has now started to pen her memories and completed the first chapter of her book “Ek thi Amrita.” highlighting the plight of those whom she met during her service.

“Every day is a new experience, many people think this profession is all about glamour but it is not so. We get to meet different people and also few unfortunate people,” she said.