Garuda, You are ours or theirs ?. Review on Garuda Indonesian Airways

Garuda Indonesian Airways is the Flag Carrier of Indonesia, which is my second home. I had the good fortune of living in this beautiful country with my family for more than four years, and whose language I can read, write and speak with considerable fluency. Whose food we relish, whose music we like, whose dances we long to see again and again, and where we learnt the values of secularism practised at every level of society. Indonesia is our friendly neighbour.

I have used Garuda many times. What it was during 1970-73, and what it is today ? It is a modern Airline with courteous and pretty hostesses, delicious food and excellent service. I can say without any hesitation that it is even better than KLM its partner Airline.

Garuda, according to the Hindu mythology, is the carrier of Lord Vishnu. In Bali, Indonesia, Lord Vishnu is also worshipped. Hence the title of my Review: Garuda, you are ours or theirs ?

Once in 1995, I was in Bali, and arrived Denpasar late to catch a domestic Garuda flight to Jakarta, for onward travel to Singapore and home. I missed that flight. I went to the Counter and presented my ticket. The pretty girl at the Counter could know from my ticket that it was booked by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). She asked me ''Where is your baggage?'' and spoke to some one that the plane should not take off without me. Then she turned to me and said, ''Sir, there is a direct flight to Singapore coming from Australia. Kindly go through the VIP Gate and board the plane. I am sending your baggage. Please don't worry.'' I followed her advise and to my utter surprise found myself in the first class. The plane was waiting for me to take off. It took off. I relaxed with a refreshing drink, followed by a dinner with Indonesian Soup, Fried Rice, and what not. All to my liking. I was in Singapore in good time. How many Airlines are there to help the passenger in a crisis? Garuda is !