When Air India started operations, they did not have a logo. The first flight was flown by JRD Tata from Karachi to Bombay on 15 Oct 1932. Most flights used to be from Pakistani cities to to Delhi/Bombay. After a few days people started saying that it's strange that Air India does not have a logo. This came to the ears of JRD Tata as well. So, he tasked his good friend and base manager of Karachi, Mr Bobby Kooka with this job and an ultimatum.
Mr Bobby Kooka used to often man the ticketing counter at Karachi. He had a regular traveller by the name of Syed Wajid Ali who was an industrialist and Bobby was highly fascinated with his moustache and pagdi. Even in his dreams he would see the smiling face of Wajid Ali. Later they became good friends.
Now, having been tasked with this logo thing, he was sitting absent minded at the counter when this Wajid Ali came to buy a ticket. The moment he saw this guy, an idea struck Bobby. He thought why not make this guy the mascot! He was an interesting personality with a crisp pagdi, long mush and a bright smile. He thought of converting his idea to action with the permission of Wajid Ali.
He made him stand in different poses and clicked his pictures. Later, he employed a cartoonist to give it a good shape. And that is how this mascot was born. You may have seen this mascot in different poses but it has never detached from 'Air India'.
Tailpiece.
Got up at a half past 4, the chores and was ready by 6. Washed down the dew on the Chevy, kicked off by a quarter to 7. The 1st halt was at the Nagaraja shrine at the Randalummoodu junction, the next was at the petrol pump in Kottarakkara where I'd the fuel tank filled up and the tyre pressure checked. Breakfast of idiappoms and veg kurma, at the Hotel Diana, was fine for us.
Lunch was at the Saravana Bhavan @ Paaliyekkara. Reached The Quarterdeck by a half past 2. Opened up the house and segregated the clothes for the laundromat.
The evening chores.
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