Aviation safety main concern
Refer to ‘Plane tragedy’; the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has a challenge at hand to probe the cause(s) which led to the Ahmedabad plane tragedy and make it public at the earliest. Air travellers’ anxiety about aviation safety can only be quelled by a thorough investigation. It needs to be established whether the Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s crash was due to a malfunction, human error or something else. All stakeholders — AAIB, Boeing manufacturers and owner Air India — must come together and work on air safety so that no such tragedy happens in the future. The safety of air passengers cannot be put at risk at any cost.
PL Singh, by mail
No room for laxity
The Ahmedabad air tragedy and the loss of so many lives have sent shockwaves across the nation. This is perhaps one of the worst human disasters in the country and a loss for India and the aviation industry. This horrific accident highlights the importance of prioritising aviation safety and ensuring the highest standards of maintenance and operational procedures. To enhance air safety, the authorities concerned should focus on robust training, infrastructure upgrade, enhanced collaboration and accountability. We must embrace new technologies and no laxity whatsoever should be tolerated. A machine can go wrong, human error can take place, but carelessness is unpardonable.
Jubel D’cruz, Mumbai
Help victims’ kin cope with loss
People are shocked and in anguish due to the huge number of casualties in the Ahmedabad plane crash. Relatives of the victims have been hit hard by their sudden loss. In each home, family members are under stress because such a tragedy can happen with anyone. Doctors and psychiatrists must come forward with steps to help the nation and its people face the trauma. Advice should be given to help the victims’ kin cope with their loss. Frequent air travellers will find it difficult to summon the courage and belief in safe air journeys.
Brij B Goyal, Ludhiana
Tata Group’s generosity
Apropos of ‘Plane tragedy’; high-end probes and critical analyses would plug some loopholes to enhance aviation safety. No words and compensation to the kin can bring their loved ones back. However, the quick announcement of the Tata Group, the owner of Air India, to pay Rs 1 crore to each victim, besides covering medical expenses of those injured and support for rebuilding the damaged medical hostel, should be a lesson for those companies, institutions and people who do not take responsibility for man-made tragedies. Accidents don’t just happen, they are a result of some irresponsible act or laxity somewhere.
Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula
Govt must take responsibility
Apropos of ‘The nightmare after a dream win’; the top brass of the Karnataka Government must be held responsible for organising a felicitation ceremony for RCB players in a hasty and unplanned manner just to reap political dividends. The families of prominent politicians attended the function, even as official machinery was blatantly misused. The programme was held the very next day after the final without paying heed to security concerns raised by the Police Department. Some police personnel have been made scapegoats. Why are the politicians spared even though their lackadaisical approach is quite apparent?
Nagendra Kumar Vempalli, Bengaluru
Hype that proved fatal
Refer to ‘The nightmare after a dream win’; there was no need for the hype over the RCB victory. Losses and wins are part of the game. It only shows how a great sport has turned into a money-spinner. The Karnataka CM’s decision to increase the compensation amount from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 25 lakh cannot absolve him of his accountability for the tragedy. Policemen and the public had to carry victims on their shoulders without any provision for first aid. No ambulances or fire tenders were seen in the vicinity, while the CM and his deputy were making the most of a photo op with the RCB players. Eleven lives were lost within minutes due to the folly of a few.
SS Paul, Nadia
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