With 7 days of preparation time, and a team of 55 people working day and night under uncertain weather conditions dogged by rains and landslides to impress the No 1 person of the world’s greatest democracy… finally, the team did it. This is a story which Servmarc Communion Private Limited ‘s team would like to reserve for our grandchildren telling them proudly how the team at Servmarc became part of this history while enabling the inauguration of the 100th airport in India, Pakyong Airport, Sikkim, on September 24, 2018. Here is a glimpse of the same:
Much before the actual launch, the association between the Servmarc team and Pakyong AAI officials started back in March 2018 when the Servmarc team had gone to Sikkim to execute another project. It was during this visit that Mr Satyaki Sengupta, CEO & Founder, Servmarc Communion Pvt. Ltd., was formally introduced to Mr R. Manjunatha, Director of Pakyong Airport. Mr Manjunatha and his team eagerly talked about creating a memorable inauguration of the greenfield airport. The highlight of the launch was to be the inauguration ceremony by the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.
Once AAI floated an online tender inviting event management agencies to provide arrangements for the inauguration of Pakyong Airport, Servmarc seamlessly converted a chance meeting into concrete action. Servmarc eventually bagged the tender being L1 qualifying on all Technical and Financial parameters laid down by AAI. Servmarc Communion Pvt. Ltd. was taken on-board as the official Event Management Partner for the prestigious event … And the rest, as they say, is history!
The inauguration of the airport had 2 parts to it :-
The 1st and the main segment was the Inauguration of the Pakyong Airport by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in the august presence of other dignitaries: Shri Ganga Prasad, Hon’ble Governor of Sikkim; Shri Pawan Chamling, Chief Minister of Sikkim; Shri Suresh Prabhu, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry and Civil Aviation; Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (I/C) Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space; Shri D. T. Lepcha, Minister of Public Works (Buildings and Housing) and Transport, Govt. of Sikkim; Shri Prem Das Rai, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha); Shri Hishey Lachungpa, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Shri Hemendra Adhikari, Member of Legislative Assembly, Rhenock, Sikkim.
After the Plaque Revelation ceremony, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi held a Public Meeting at the St. Xavier’s school ground. This event was witnessed by 10,000-12,000 pax and the event was telecast live on Doordarshan, YouTube and on the Prime Minister’s official social media page.
Once Servmarc was appointed the official and exclusive event partner of this landmark project, they were asked to arrange for all elements. Servmarc had to provide each minute requirement from PMO, liaison with Special Protection Group (SPG), Civil Aviation Ministry, AAI officials along with the planning and designing and decoration the entire Airport premise and the approach roads. The team managed all of this flawlessly.
The journey of 4590 steps began one step at a time. The availability of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modiji came from PMO just 10 days before the pre-determined inauguration date and Servmarc team had to plan and arrange everything within a week.
Time was the biggest challenge – and that without compromising on quality was of paramount importance and Servmarc’s personal mandate. Difficult topography and hostile weather conditions made this project even more challenging yet exciting. Pakyong was also a test due to its poor road connectivity from the nearest airport (i.e. Bagdogra in Siliguri which is in West Bengal) hence, on time delivery became a herculean task owing to multiple landslides on NH-10 connecting Bagdogra to Sikkim. Transportation of materials took more than double of the normal time taken.
Team Servmarc received a big jolt just 48 hours before the show day – the inauguration was postponed from September 23, 2018 to September 24, 2018 as the Honorable Prime Minister was required to be part of another event in Eastern India. This meant that immediate revision of creatives and execution of printing of invites, plaque and other collaterals were needed to be done at our end.
The team at Servmarc held their nerves, believed in themselves and in the fact that no matter what the odds are the team will ‘Never quit, Never give up and FLY IT TO THE END’! The entire team of more than 60 active crew members worked tirelessly 24×7 to turn this into reality!
The airport was decorated with flex branding vertical drops downs based on Sikkimese themed creatives, Round Shaped Décor Items depicting Sikkim as Organic State outside the Terminal building, Standees, Flag Poles, Signages indicating Sikkimism Themes, 3D Cutouts of the Wheels of Dharma, Char Dham of Namchi, Flower Decorations, Floral & Cloth draping of Pillars, Gates & Entries and Rose petals etc. The Entrance Gate was designed to look similar to that of a Sikkimese Monastery Gate.
Minute by minute itinerary of the Prime Minister’s movement was shared with Servmarc by PMO and they strictly adhered to same with utter dexterity.
On his arrival at the Pakyong Airport on September 24, 2018, Shri Narendra Modi inspected the interiors of the terminal building and was given a walkthrough of the airport premises. Post this he moved towards the Plaque where he, in the august presence of dignitaries unveiled the plaque. (IPR) Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, Shri R.N. Choubey presented Shri Narendra Modi a book titled “100 Airports for New India”, and the same was released by the Hon’ble Prime Minister. Post this, Narendra Modi progressed to St. Xavier’s school ground for a Public Meeting.
A welcome speech by Shri Suresh Prabhu (Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation) was followed by an address by Shri Pawan Chamling (Chief Minister of Sikkim). Thereafter, Shri Narendra Modi took centre stage.
Servmarc took care of the entire production and venue management at the Prime Minister’s Public Meeting held at the St. Xavier’s school ground aptly supported by the State Government officials.
Overcoming all challenges, Servmarc flawlessly and successfully managed and executed the milestone inauguration of the Pakyong Airport – the 1st greenfield airport in the Northeastern Region and the 100th operational airport in India as per the mandate and faith entrusted.
Aptly put by Mr. Satyaki Sengupta, CEO & Founder Servmarc Communion Pvt. Ltd. “We at Servmarc feel blessed to have been part of this milestone event and take pride that we played a role and contributed in this historic defining moment in the state of Sikkim connecting people and places in the flight to prosperity!”
The presence of the Honourable Prime Minister dedicating this airport to the nation and to the people of Sikkim – this itself made the event the talking point nationally and internationally.
“A dream doesn’t become a reality just through magic – it takes sweat, determination and hard work… We IMAGINED… We BELIEVED… We ACHIEVED!”
Do drop in a line to us at satyaki.sengupta@servmarc.com / info@servmarc.com if you think we can play a role in your success radar.
Let’s work together to create the experience you want and reach the perfect cruising altitude!
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