She Did It: Gopika Govind, 24, Becomes Kerala’s First Tribal Air Hostess After 12-Year Struggle, Inspiring a Generation
She Did It: Gopika Govind, 24, Becomes Kerala’s First Tribal Air Hostess After 12-Year Struggle, Inspiring a Generation
Dreams often begin in the quietest corners of the world, nurtured by hope and resilience. For Gopika Govind, a young woman from a remote part of Kerala, the dream of soaring through the skies as a flight attendant was born in modest beginnings—and brought to life through sheer determination.
Born in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) colony of Kavunkudi near Alakkode in Kerala, Gopika grew up in a humble household with her parents, P. Govindan and V.G., who worked as daily wage laborers. A proud member of the Karimbala tribal community, she was no stranger to the hardships that come with limited resources and opportunities. Yet, even as a child, she held on tightly to her dream of one day flying high above the clouds as an air hostess.
Despite the financial challenges her family faced, Gopika never lost sight of her goal. To stay on a practical and affordable path, she pursued a BSc in Chemistry. But the dream of donning the crisp uniform of a cabin crew member never left her heart.
A year after completing her degree and taking up a job, a newspaper image of flight attendants reignited her passion. That small spark lit a new fire within her. Discovering a government-supported aviation course, Gopika enrolled in a one-year diploma at Dream Sky Aviation Training Academy in Kalpetta, Wayanad.
Even before finishing her course, she began attending interviews. Though she didn’t make the cut on her first try, she kept going. Her perseverance paid off on the second attempt. After three months of cabin crew training, Gopika finally stepped into her dream role, boarding her first flight from Kannur to a destination in the Gulf.
That moment wasn’t just a personal victory—it was a powerful symbol of courage, hope, and inspiration for countless young girls from underprivileged and tribal communities across the country.
To those dreamers, Gopika offers this advice: “If you have a dream, pursue it fearlessly. You should also have the confidence to achieve it. Without that, we will reach nowhere. Don’t announce your goals to the world—let the results speak for your hard work.”
For Gopika Govind, the sky was never the limit—it was only the beginning.
