Pandit Ravi Shankar barred from flight, hotel for travelling with pet

Pune: Sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar and his daughter Anoushka were made to run around as first an airline and then a hotel declined them admission because they were accompanied by a ‘service dog', Sukhi.
An agitated Anoushka recalled their mental trauma at being rejected by the airline and later disallowed from staying at a leading five-star hotel in Pune as they were accompanied by Sukhi.
Thursday wasn't the first time the celebrated sitarist was denied entry to a hotel because of trying to check in with a pet.
He was shown the door by Mumbai's five-star hotels two winters back and had to take refuge at Bandra's MIG Club because he had his cat, Nikku, with him.
Says Anoushka, "Sukhi is a certified ‘service animal' in the US and has been dad's companion. In fact, it's thanks to Sukhi that my father's blood pressure is under control."
Anoushka says Sukhi has been allowed to travel freely on airlines and stay in all the leading hotels in Europe and the US.
"We've never had any problem with her so far." Sukanya says Sukhi was largely responsible for getting Ravi Shankar back to health after his severe illness over a year ago.
15/12/07 Rahul Chandawarkar/Times of India

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Categories: General Aviation Dec 2007