LUCKNOW, June 16 -- From fertile fields to runways paved with possibilities, dreams spread wings for 170 passengers, mostly farmers from villages around Jewar whose ancestral land was acquired for the Noida International Airport's construction in lieu of compensation, which gave them the wherewithal to realise their aspirations.

On Monday, they boarded one of the first flights from the newly operational airport and reached Lucknow.

Most of them continue to be farmers, having bought land in nearby villages.

For Dr Hira Rashid of Rohi village, who completed her MBBS at AMU, the compensation money helped her complete the course without hassle. She cracked NEET in 2021. Her father could not only foot the MBBS tuition bill but also bought n...