Swati Raval piloted a plane that evacuated hundreds from Rome. But it was seatbelt weather at home too as she began her 14-day quarantine, struggling to keep her two children away from her bedroom. ️
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00:00So, I didn't know that I would be the first woman to operate a rescue flight, first commander.
00:07For me, it was just a call of duty.
00:11So, he was very happy and he was like, my mama is my hero.
00:16My daughter didn't know for two days that I was in the house.
00:30Once we landed there, of course, we took over the cockpit, the operating crew got out
00:49and then we were supposed to open the flight where I could see the passengers getting in
00:54and they were quite happy.
00:57Of course, before that, we definitely sanitized our aircraft and for the guidelines,
01:05we were supposed to maintain minimum contact with them.
01:08They also understood the severity of the situation and they were okay with whatever serving was given to them.
01:16They were cheering when we landed.
01:18I was told that they were clapping, some of them were crying, some of them were very happy.
01:23So, yes, they were cheering and it was a very overwhelming thing for us.
01:29So, my son, generally when I come home, he runs and comes to hug me.
01:56And this time I could just say that, no beta, mama has just come back from Corona because it was very difficult for him.
02:03See, he understands Corona because he is at home and not going to school.
02:07And my daughter didn't know for two days that I was in the house.
02:12So, once I opened the door to take something and she was right in front of there.
02:20She had just started walking at that time.
02:22And when she walked towards me and she was like, yeah, mama.
02:27And I'm like, all I could say is, no beta, mama chichi, mama chichi.
02:35And I really didn't want to close the door on her face.
02:39So, I just shout out to my husband.
02:42He took her away.
02:43And of course, she was crying.
02:46And that happened a couple of times because now she knew that mama is in the house.
02:50My husband did explain him later that why he could not hug me.
02:54And he kind of told him that.
02:56So, he's five years only.
02:57So, he kind of told him that, you know, mama had brought a couple of kids to their parents.
03:04And that's why, you know, since she had gone on flight, you can't meet her.
03:09So, he was very happy.
03:11And he was like, my mama is my hero.
03:23One of the students who happened to be a friend of one of the crew.
03:30I think his cousin's friend.
03:34And she actually sent a message with her boarding pass.
03:38Which said that, I never thought a flight to home will mean so much.
03:44I am in happy tears.
03:46And that kind of gave me a very satisfying feeling, you can say that.
03:52As a child, I always wanted to, you know, become an Air Force pilot.
04:07Where I can serve the country as a little bit whatever I could do.
04:13So, when I got this call, I thought of that, yeah, I can fulfill a little bit of my dream also.