11 Year Old Becomes Young Honorary Pilot of IAF
A 11-year-old boy (Mukilesh) became the youngest honorary pilot for the squadron based at Air Force Station in Sulur and got a chance to fulfill his wish on Wednesday. Air warriors at the Sulur Airbase got together to fulfil the wish of the boy who is battling Thalassemia, a life-threatening disorder.
Mukilesh (11-years- boy ) is undergoing chemotherapy treatment at GKNM hospital Coimbatore. All started with a request from make a wish foundation local coordinator requesting Air Commodore Umesh Kumar Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station Sulur to make the boy’s dream of becoming a pilot for the day a reality.
IAF readily accepted the request and the 33 Squadron was given the responsibility to host the ‘Pilot for the 11-Old child for a Day. He was accompanied by his parents, Ms Anita, local coordinator of Make a Wish Foundation, Dr Balaji, Director Coimbatore Cancer Foundation and few volunteers from the foundation. Mukilesh started the day meeting with members of the Squadron Group Commanding Officer Captain SK Gupta. Mukilesh was given the flying overall with squadron badge and cap.
The moment lifted his spirits and brought tears of joy in his parent’s eyes. After meeting with the squadron members he was shown the squadron museum to know the rich history of the squadron. During the meeting, on various questions by the squadron members, the boy came up with smart answers which impressed all. The boy happiness was at peak when he was made to sit on the captain seat of the aircraft. He was also given chance to interface with ATC of the base.
Later, Mukilesh was taken to the prestigious Sarang helicopter display team of IAF and he was received by the unit members and Group Captain Abhyankar VM, Commanding Officer of the unit. They have shown the helicopter, which he fully enjoyed.
The boy day was wrapped after a get together with all personnel. Mukilesh’s mother Kavitha said that “It was a great experience for him”
Wing Commander Karry Lokesh said, “I think it was really important for us to do all for him after everything has turned bitter in his life.