They were all village belles, pretty, of average height and dressed only in long skirts, half sarees, and the occasional salwar kameez. Today, they wear mini-skirts, are bubbling with enthusiasm and speak the English language, though with a south Indian accent. Meet the new-generation hostesses who might well storm the rash of airlines that have invaded Indian air space.

R Pappathi (19) hails from Pappireddipalayam village, 40 km from Dharmapuri. Like in any village, this daughter of a daily wager had been warned against using even face powder for fear of attracting attention of men. K R Girija Devi is a 22-year-old from Kathimedu village, 60 km from Tirunelveli, while K Deepalakshmi, the 21-year-old daughter of a head postmaster, hails from M Kulakudi village.

Thanks to a Tamil Nadu Government scheme, they, along with a hundred other Adi Dravidar and tribal girls from remote hamlets, most of them from poor economic backgrounds, are being put through the grind—personal grooming, German language and swimming along with the aviation and hospitality course—to become air-hostesses. The one-year training began in March 2007. Tamil Nadu launched the scheme in December 2006 taking a cue from Karnataka, which had started training tribal girls as air-hostesses last year.

In January, Jayarani had burst into tears at the sight of the panel of seven men and women who were going to interview her. Today, she sports mascara, eye-shadow and foundation cream, looks pretty and chic, in every way different from the awkward girl in a badly-cut salwar kameez who took the interview. “The faculty members at the academy check us every day to see that we use all the make-up and nail polish when we come for class,” smiled Jayarani.

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