Miss India-World Parvathy Omanakuttam releases the prospectus of Flying Cats, an air hostess training institute. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, April 21: Amid a lot of chaos and enthusiasm Miss India-World 2008 Parvathy Omanakuttam inaugurated the 53rd branch of Flying Cats, a leading air hostess training institute, here today.

In Jamshedpur for the first time, Parvathy also unveiled the new prospectus of the institute and announced the beginning of a three-year BBA programme in aviation, tourism and hospitality management.

It will function in collaboration with Annamalai University and this is also the first time that a recognised university would offer a graduation degree in aviation industry. Jamshedpur is the first city where this new course would begin. Students can avail this course after completing Plus II.

Attired in a little black dress, the girl from Mithibai College in Mumbai exuded confidence as she answered a volley of questions posed by the media.

“This is my first visit to the city and I would again be here on April 26 to take part in a fashion show. But whatever little experience that I have gathered I can say it has been a good journey,” said Parvathy who arrived from Calcutta this evening.

With Bollywood being an obvious route for all beauty pageant winners, the questions obviously hovered around what would be her next step. “No, I have neither signed a movie nor am I looking at scripts. My first priority right now is to win the Miss World pageant to be held in Ukraine in October and it is only after that I can think of taking up assignments — be it films or albums,” said Parvathy, an honours degree holder in English literature.

Answering an array of questions on her possibility of winning the Miss World title, Parvathy was quite candid. “It has been eight years since Priyanka Chopra won. But after that not a single person from this country has made it so big. Therefore, I hope that I live up to the expectations of my well-wishers and bring the crown back to India,” she said.

Though Bollywood is bound to be an obvious choice, the girl first wants to complete her MBA before jumping into the bandwagon.

Later in the evening she conducted grooming session with over 25 new students from the first batch of the flying institute.

Apart from the university-recognised BBA degree, students can also avail a certificate from Distant Education Council, a government-recognised body which would enable them to bag jobs in government sector.

“The state-of-the-art centre will provide an opportunity to youngsters aspiring to join the fastest aviation and hospitality industry, which, according to surveys, would require over 25 lakh trained professionals by 2010 and over 40,000 vacancies in cabin crew alone,” said J.P. Singh, the vice-president of Corporate Flying Cats.

The institute also has tie-ups with top international training partners so that they can provide unique experience to students in India on the lines of international hospitality sector.

“We have a tie-up with the UK-based Active Solutions Consulting Group which provides training solutions to airlines across the world, including Emirates, Virgin Atlantic and Air New Zealand,” said Singh.

Over eight youngsters from the city have been chosen who are currently undergoing advanced training in international training modules in Chandigarh and on their return they would double as faculty members here. The first batch would comprise 25 to 30 students and the classes would commence within the next 10 days. Students would go for an exposure trip to Singapore after completing the year-long course.