If airports were to tell stories what would it be, wonders Rupa. An exclusive for Different Truths.

Airports are an amazing place to observe all kinds of travellers in transit headed to different destinations. What stories would the wide expanse of lounges and waiting spaces tell, if they could?

It has borne witness to strange, weird, gory, tragic, happy, sad, mundane, and exotic to unexpected. New born babies of weeks are flown from one destination to another by new proud parents and maybe more for support. This is an opportunity to visit vacation spots, to unwind, or meet family to celebrate, soon as they felt it was safe enough for the infant to fly. Then there are babies who need medical attention available at specific places hence are forced to air travel to save time.

It has borne witness to strange, weird, gory, tragic, happy, sad, mundane, and exotic to unexpected. New born babies of weeks are flown from one destination to another by new proud parents and maybe more for support.

New mothers, who nurse their children at airports or aircrafts are culturally influenced by their surroundings and upbringing. Some cover the nursing baby with a towel or a cloth, and then there are few who are comfortable in their skin. Strangers gawk at the baby or the view of the mother nurturing the baby. This has led to outrage by a section, and public debates on how each one feels.

Some wailing, grieving members of the family are rushing to meet up with family, where loved one has met with a serious accident, or a medical procedure is scheduled, or someone is in death bed. Many are inconsolable, some are gritting teeth, and few are stoic in the face of trying moments.

Fun to stare are the newly-weds, especially those who follow their rituals of symbols that make them stand out in finery, which many avoid in today’s day and age, some have henna (mehendi) all over hands up to elbows, on arms and feet and calves.

Fun to stare are the newly-weds, especially those who follow their rituals of symbols that make them stand out in finery, which many avoid in today’s day and age, some have henna (mehendi) all over hands up to elbows, on arms and feet and calves. Seeing the newly-weds all over each other or coy or very romantic is a sight to behold, sometimes stirring nostalgia of past memories.

Attires of crowds range from fussily dressed, high fashion models, frumpy indifferent, casually cool, or formally dressed, all transiting on work, emergency, leisure or forced social obligations. All are under the same roof, eating, waiting, reading, talking, shopping or waiting in same space.

Luggage in varied sizes, materials, colours, brands and stages of life show up with passengers. Shiny new, weather beaten, on last leg or sturdy though outdated and then few coming apart from the seams.

Luggage in varied sizes, materials, colours, brands and stages of life show up with passengers. Shiny new, weather beaten, on last leg or sturdy though outdated and then few coming apart from the seams. They are almost representative of the passenger they own.

Many pack snacks, while others buy and enjoy airport fare with a phone or laptop to keep them entertained. Many are on work calls or with their network of family, friends.

Clandestine meetings, lovers who are parting to go their own routine lives, some are quietly dignified and few expressly demonstrative.

As air travel has replaced bus, and train travel over the years, airports join the silent witness elite class that is privy to emotions of varied kinds of people

As air travel has replaced bus, and train travel over the years, airports join the silent

witness elite class that is privy to emotions of varied kinds of people across ages, nationalities, cultures, colours, countries going places.

With the inflow of employees, who work in shifts to keep the port running smooth, there are budding romances, shared life events, ups and downs.

Business travelers are mechanically transiting to attend to their work, unaware of surroundings between calls, meetings and work. Robotic precision and demands are rendering travels dull and boring.

With huge numbers in crowds, it has attracted attention of terrorists too, which has seared Mumbai and people across the country.

With huge numbers in crowds, it has attracted attention of terrorists too, which has seared Mumbai and people across the country.

Monks, nuns, Swamijis, Priests, (Sikh, Muslim, Hindu, Christian, Tibetan) are seen travelling. Some of them are dressed in one layer of clothing, which feels inadequate for the temperatures they are experiencing.

Airports have designer brand outlets, food outlets, ATMs, confections, clothes, jewelry, electronics, bags, souvenir outlets for those who want to pick up something last minute – it is a mecca for many shoppers even though priced higher.

Displays of art in form of sculptures, jewelry, big flashy colorful hoardings in neon colors are catchy and mind numbing.

Airlines are failing, winning, going defunct or getting obliterated are all transiting passengers via their fleet. Personnel operating it and the crew in different colored uniforms are a family with their own stories to tell

Airlines are failing, winning, going defunct or getting obliterated are all transiting passengers via their fleet. Personnel operating it and the crew in different colored uniforms are a family with their own stories to tell of services, turbulences up in the air of weather, passengers, pilots and the crew.

Some passenger strikes up conversation and alliances are struck for work, business, socially or otherwise.

Airports are mute observers that never sleep.

Airports are mute observers that never sleep. The grand buildings participate in daily life of multitude of transiting passengers providing excitement, relief, joys, exhaustion, anxiety, stress, inconveniences, annoyances, upsets, hurdles and memories for life. If only they could write and tell all, what and who would be featured, I wonder?

Photos from the Internet

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