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were not given the same opportunities as men. I was fortunate to have been raised by broadminded parents who permitted me to do things.” Even with her marriage at 17 years of age, Hajiani accompanied her late husband on all his business trips, assisting him in his business and offering social services at orphanages and detention centres. “My late husband treated me like a jewel, he always wanted me by his side, he opened the world to me, and I travelled much because of him.”
“I encourage the youth to have spirituality and
“My Age has never stopped me from
seeing the world” For most of us, long flights, travel trips, and
international holidays may seem to seize after 60. We like the comfort of our homes, familiarity, walks in the park and travelling 6000 miles seems a distant dream. For Hajiani Linga Miskin, age has never been a factor and at 93 years old is Mann Travel's eldest and perhaps most vibrant customer. Averaging at least 1 international holiday a year, Hajiani has flown across continents to be with family and friends. While for most of us, 16-hour flights with lengthy stopovers can seem to tire us, for Hajiani, the excitement to travel and see her loved ones has never stopped her from booking flights to the United States, Canada, Sri Lanka, Singapore and even the United Kingdom. For Hajiani, by the grace of God, she believes in living life to the fullest and not letting distance, time or age stop her from being with family. A widower of 15 years, Hajiani has lived in Australia now for 30 years. Her story, though a long one, has been most exciting and rewarding. “My 13 siblings, my 4 children, 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren are my motivation to see the world”.
“It was always the people that made the destination”
accept differences” With every place that Hajiani has visited, her fascination with religion and spirituality has only increased. Raised in a Muslim family, Hajiani was educated in convent education and had a great love for Christianity and its beliefs. “When I
see the youth today, I wonder where the spirituality has gone, the empathy to accept people and to wish them well. I grew up in a time where our communities were close. There were no religious differences in Sri Lanka, and we got along very well.” As a God fearing woman, Hajiani carries her prayer book on every travel trip she makes. “It can be scary travelling alone at my age. When I travelled with my husband, I always felt reassured that someone was with me. Carrying my prayer book today reassures me that I am not alone and that God will protect me and show me the way if I ever do get lost.” She believes that people are innately good and putting trust in one and another is very important. “ As a Muslim, it troubles me when I see what the perception of our culture has become, I see politics using religion as a means of power and travel has changed so much since my first flight in 1940” Hajiani jokes about the increased security, the suspicion of terrorist activity and the fear that we live in today. “There is no religion that promotes violence and bloodshed; we must learn to interpret religious texts in a more suitable way and find spirituality in ourselves to empathise with people regardless of their differences.”
“History and Architecture fascinate me” With over 30 countries under her belt, Hajiani speaks about her love for history and
architecture especially with the ancient civilizations of Egypt and China. “Travelling with my husband on business trips, I was restricted to hotel rooms and assisting him in meetings, dinners, and events…I never had much time to see the place even though I longed to take walks on the streets.” With her husband’s death in 2001, Hajiani made it her dream to revisit some of the countries she longed to explore further, one of them being Egypt. “I was fascinated with Egyptian history, the civilization that flourished on the banks of the Nile…the way they invented so many of the things we use today. I had that chance recently to take a cruise on the river Nile, and it was truly beautiful.”
“Mann Travel is family to me” Having been a client with Mann Travel for 4 years, the employees at Mann Travel look at
With the numerous countries that Hajiani has visited, she was always fascinated with meeting new people, visiting places where the family resided and sharing her culture. “Being a part of a larger family of 11 sisters and 2 brothers, the family was very important to me. With them scattered all around the world, I wanted to visit them and be with them.” Coming from humble beginnings, Hajiani shared her childhood experience of demanding an education and freedom from her parents. “I wanted to be a lawyer, I wanted to study and travel, but in those days, it was difficult, and women
30 I INDIAN MIRROR MAY 2017
Hajiani as an inspiration and role model for her enthusiasm and love for new experiences. “she has lived such a fascinating life, so many memories, stories, experiences…she is still so eager to learn and see” says one of the employees at the agency. When speaking about her experience with Mann Travel, Hajiani appreciates the support and care shown over the years. “As an old woman, I can be quite difficult when understanding flight plans, visa requirements, and itineraries; I have nothing but love and appreciation for the agents who have so much patience when dealing with me.” She enjoys her visits to the office and catching up with employees and their lives. “Mann Travel is family to me, they have helped me over the years to plan holidays and understand itineraries. They don’t mind explaining to me countless times, and I feel very comforted because they take so much care of me.”
Being a frequent flyer with Emirates, Hajiani received an official letter from the airline giving her access to business and first class lounges on her trips along with an additional baggage provision for her comfort. Her story is truly a unique one, but for many, it is not the number of places she has been to but truly the number of lives she has touched.
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