Students’ Determination: Overcoming Landslides to Reach Exam Center by Helicopter

Four students from Balotra, Rajasthan, faced unexpected challenges when they traveled to Haldwani, Uttarakhand, encountering heavy rain and landslides that rendered the roads impassable. Undeterred, they devised a unique solution to reach their exam center. These students, Omaram Choudhary, Magaram Choudhary, Prakash Choudhary, and Lucky Choudhary, all pursuing a B.Ed. degree through Uttarakhand Open University, were scheduled to take their final semester exam at RS Tolia PG College in Munsiyari on September 3rd. After their road journey to Haldwani was disrupted, they learned about helicopter services and contacted Heritage Aviation. They explained that missing the exam would result in a wasted academic year. The company arranged a special helicopter with two pilots to transport them. The students successfully arrived at the exam center, completed their exam, and returned to Haldwani via helicopter. The road distance between Haldwani and Munsiyari is approximately 280 kilometers and typically takes 10 hours, while the helicopter journey was a mere 25-30 minutes. The students, now working as teachers, expressed their initial discouragement due to the challenging conditions but were able to take the exam. They found the helicopter trip thrilling and meaningful, as it marked the completion of their final semester exam.