SIMPLY FLY – A DECCAN ODYSSEY BY CAPTAIN GOPINATH

When I hear somebody sigh, ‘’Life is hard”, I am always tempted to ask, “compared to what?” Sydney, J. Harris.

That’s why Captain Gopinath says “simply fly’’

“SIMPLY FLY’ – is an inspiring, interesting, invigorating &indeed a must read book. The title of the book is so apt. ’’SIMPLY FLY’’- a Deccan odyssey by captain Gopinath was published in 2009 by Harper Collins publishers India, a joint venture with The India Today Group. FOREWORD by our late president Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam signifies that the book is going to take us on a high flight of learning experience.

                                            

This book has received reviews from the many stalwarts of the entrepreneurial zone. Autobiography of Capt. G.R. Gopinath is a success story indicating the necessity for hard ship to conquer the Zenith. Creating India’s first and largest low cost airline is a notable contribution in the aviation sector &made the common man to afford a flight ticket.

 Born in 1951, in a remote village of Karnataka, Captain Gopinath had his schooling in Kannada medium &later joined NDA. In 1971 he was commissioned as an officer in the Indian Army and served in the Bangladesh Liberation war. In May 2006 he was knighted with “Chevalier de la Legion d’ Honneur’’ & ‘’Laureate Award’’ in the Outstanding Global CEO category by Aviation Week, New York.

SIMPLY FLY carries with itself 13 chapters &each chapter takes off with a quote of a renowned personality from world over. Photographs of cherished memories, struggles, challenges & achievements were inserted in between the pages. In chapter V, I quote ‘Jakkur air field is a beautiful expanse of 250 acres. A chunk of land about sixty metres by sixty metres was carved out of the larger tract, and that became ours. The first thing we did was to pitch a tent and hired a security guard. I love tents. My school was run in tent, much of my army life was sent in tents, and on the farm, a tent was my first abode.” This shows that how Capt. Gopinath is a man of simple living and high thinking.

In chapter 8 “Captivating Events at Deccan Aviation” focusses on the countries like Bangladesh, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar& few other Indian states in their helicopter adventure trip.

Role of Newspapers, power of the journalists &Cartoon messages were discussed in the book &prominence of the same in India is gently handled.

The book concludes with Henry Mintzberg’s note on “Gopi’s farm’’. A book full of high quality story telling &worth reading for upcoming entrepreneurs

“There are two ways of meeting difficulties; you alter the difficulties, or you alter yourself to meet them.” Phyllis Battome. Captain Gopinath did true justice to this quote.