Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, May 26: Air hostess Ashwini Poojary was in the news recently after her participation in the 'Vande Bharat’ mission. Ashwini, who is from Konaje here, has retorted to the people who tried to troll her on social media.

Ashwini was among the crew of the first Air India flight which brought back Indians from Singapore to Bengaluru under 'Vande Bharat' mission. She had drawn appreciation for this endeavour in the media and social websites. But a few had tried to make light of her effort by passing comments in the social media like it was her duty, she did it for money, etc.

Ashwini Poojary

Ashwini has responded to her critics through a video message. She clarified that she had participated in the 'Vande Bharat’ mission voluntarily out of her own will and added that in such cases, she would be solely responsible for her life. She said that Air India does not pay anything additionally for such duties. "Even if I sit at home, I get my pay. I do not get any award for being a corona warrior. Those who try to tease me should understand these things," she said.

Ashwini revealed that when the opportunity came her way, she never felt any fear, but she was in fact happy. "The flight had pregnant women who yearned to deliver in India and aged people who were coming to be with their children. The very act of accompanying them back home was an honour and award in itself for me. Before the flight departed, and upon our return, we underwent three to four tests. We wore PPE kit right from 8 am to 11 pm. We went without food and water and had no opportunity to visit the toilet during the long travel. But we do these things for our people," she stated in her video message.