He spends most of his time upwards of 39,000 feet in the sky. Deputy General Manager, Operations, Captain Sukhvinder Singh Kohli, has been flying for Air India for the last 26 years, and absolutely loves the idea of being up there, manoeuvering an aircraft, cutting through the vortex of unpredictable wild winds. As he lands in the city after his flight from Paris, and before he sets off for London, Kohli heads to his home in Gurgaon, a place, he calls his resting nest. “Like they say, there’s no place like home. I feel a sense of
stillness here, than at any other place. It’s a safe haven where I find everything I value—my mother, my wife, sons, amenities and facilities within the compound we live in, the world’s comforts, and an enormous amount of love. It makes me a calmer person.”
With more than 18,000 hours of flying experience, Kohli finds himself in awe of the Delhi Metro which criss-crosses the city’s earth. It’s changed the way people travel, according to him. “It’s not only convenient, but is also economical and environment-friendly. I am all for it. Even though I love flying, when on ground, metro is a good way to commute,” he says.
Kohli’s work hours keep him away from home for five to six days in a week. Of the precious little time he has, the flier likes to utilise it judiciously, which includes taking his wife out for shopping. “The culture of massive shopping malls has redefined the very meaning of shopping. It’s not just about buying clothes anymore. It’s about connecting with your loved ones in different ways, with the convenience of various recreational options besides shopping—all under one roof. Gaming, movies, ice skating, bowling—you have it all,” he says, and that makes him very happy.
Time surely is a constraint for Kohli. Just like he makes time for four kilometres of jogging everyday, he also finds time to catch up with friends. “Places like Delhi Gymkhana Club, Delhi Golf Club and India Habitat Centre have made socialising very interesting, giving people like me a different kind of dining-out experience, that I must say is very relaxing,” says the experienced pilot.