Kerala’s first tribal air hostess takes flight: Gopika Govind’s inspiring journey

Gopika Govind, a 24-year-old woman from Kerala, has made history by becoming the state’s first tribal air hostess. Hailing from the Karimbala tribal community in Kavunkudi, near Alakkode, Gopika overcame significant financial and social barriers to achieve her childhood dream. Her parents, P Govindan and VG Biji, are daily wage workers, and Gopika grew up in a household where opportunities were scarce.

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Initially, she pursued a BSc in Chemistry, a more affordable option due to her family’s limited means. However, a newspaper photo of flight attendants rekindled her early aspiration to work in aviation. Determined, she began exploring training options and came across a government-supported programme for tribal students.

With assistance from this scheme, which funded Rs 1 lakh of her fees, Gopika enrolled in a one-year diploma course at Dream Sky Aviation Training Academy in Kalpetta, Wayanad. Even before completing her course, she started applying for cabin crew jobs. Though her first interview did not yield results, her perseverance paid off in her second attempt.

Following three months of airline training, Gopika joined Air India Express as cabin crew. She marked her debut on a flight from Kannur to a Gulf destination, setting an inspiring example for young women from underrepresented communities. Her journey stands as a powerful testament to resilience and ambition against all odds.