Kochi: "Welcome to Kochi's enchanting backwaters after flying yourself here..." said MP Jebi Mather with a smile. Former Civil Aviation Minister and seasoned pilot Rajiv Pratap Rudy was quick with a witty response.

"Except for the Prime Minister, most Union ministers and MPs have been my passengers. Flying an aircraft with ministers on board is quite an interesting experience," Rudy quipped, effortlessly shifting from stories of the skies to Kochi's scenic waterways.

Rudy, who chairs the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources, arrived in Kochi wearing his pilot's hat—quite literally. He was later taken on a tour of Kochi's backwaters by committee member Jebi Mather MP and Kerala Industries Department Additional Chief Secretary APM Mohammed Hanish.

Rudy had flown himself to Kochi to attend the Parliamentary Standing Committee meeting, piloting an IndiGo flight from Bengaluru to Kochi. Asked about flying the commercial aircraft himself, he replied with characteristic humour. "I regularly fly aircraft. I earned my pilot's licence at the age of 50 and have now logged more than 6,000 flying hours. I am the only Member of Parliament with a commercial pilot's licence. I certainly don't want to lose that licence," he said.

After returning to Kochi from a visit to Munnar, Rudy and his team were treated to a ride on the Kochi Water Metro. Before boarding from the Taj Malabar Hotel on Willingdon Island, Rudy and his wife, Neelam, enjoyed a performance of Kerala's traditional Thiruvathira dance.

As the Water Metro glided through the backwaters, Rudy spoke enthusiastically about Kerala's beauty. When asked what impressed him the most about the state, he pointed to Jebi Mather and Mohammed Hanish seated beside him.

"The most beautiful thing about Kerala is its people. You excel in education, social engagement, arts, and politics. I have many Malayali friends in Parliament, including Jebi, who are friends beyond political affiliations," he said.

Mullaperiyar: Kerala's demand will be placed before Centre, says Rudy

Rajiv Pratap Rudy said Kerala's demand for a new dam at Mullaperiyar would be conveyed to the Central government. During the Parliamentary Standing Committee meeting held in Munnar, representatives from both Kerala and Tamil Nadu presented their respective concerns and demands regarding the issue. Members, including Jebi Mather MP, pointed out that the Mullaperiyar dam remains a matter of concern for nearly 35 lakh people across 5 districts of Kerala.