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Every Breath You Take, the DGCA Watches You

Published

5 years ago

on

By Shobha John

The aviation industry worldwide is all about safety and security and often has zero tolerance for lapses. As compared to other countries, India is far stricter in its aviation rules and medical clearances. And yet, the lapses are far too many and too often, endangering the lives of thousands of passengers. While the lapses that come most to light are those of the highest paid community in the aviation sector, the pilots, those of others will soon be on the radar too.

The most common misdemeanour is that of drinking. While breath analyser (BA) tests are carried out on pilots and cabin crew and even off-duty pilots who are in the cockpit as additional crew members, many are found slipping these high standards. According to media reports, in the first six months of 2019, 123 pilots and cabin crews failed the BA test. In 2018, the total numbers of crew members who failed the test was a whopping 256.

In fact, Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section 5 which deals with Air Safety (Series F Part III) for flight crew says that “the level of blood alcohol compatible with safe flying is ‘Zero’, which is also recommended by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). It is equally important to intensify the educational programme for crew members regarding the inherent dangers of flying after consumption of alcohol”.

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The CAR also explains: “Alcohol also interferes with the enzymatic cellular process or oxidation, causes hypoxia and reduces individual’s tolerance with increase in altitude. It is known that a low alcohol blood level between 30 mg% to 50 mg% disturbs the sensor-motor, visual and cortical reaction. Consumption of alcohol results in significant deterioration of psychomotor performance and decreases the amount of mental capacity available to deal with many essential tasks involved in the conduct of safe flight. Should an emergency occur in-flight, the crew member under the influence of alcohol is not capable of dealing with the problem.”

While such strictness is valued and expected from flight crew, the DGCA has gone a step further and will now include aircraft maintenance engineers, flight dispatchers, air traffic controllers, machine operators and vehicle drivers working at airports under BA tests. All these personnel are important cogs that move the wheels of aviation and keep them well-oiled. Every minor and major job done by these backroom boys is critically important at the airport and for the safety of planes and passengers. Though these are the support staff for the flight crew, any failure on their part can jeopardise flight operations. How often have we read about drunk drivers hitting stationary planes and damaging parts worth crores. Or freak accidents caused at airports due to airport personnel not being fully alert.

But one wonders if the standards for these personnel will be as strict as those for flight crew. Perhaps that would be taking things a little too far. Though International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recommendations say that the blood-alcohol level for safe flying is “zero”, traces of alcohol can be found due to other substances too.  Though crew is not supposed to drink 12 hours before a flight, sometimes traces of alcohol can still be found in the blood. Compare our zero tolerance with other countries. In the US, pilots are not allowed to fly with 0.04 percent or higher blood alcohol concentration while in Europe the limit is 0.02 per cent.

Also Read: Memories of Memorials

Would it, therefore, be fair to have the same high standards for airside personnel as for flying crew? Will there be enough doctors and infrastructure in place before these measures are rolled out? After all, this means testing a few thousand people more? And what will be the punishment? For flight crew, these are harsh. If they fail the BA test the first time, they are barred from flying for three months. The second time, it is three years and the third time, their flying licence is permanently revoked.

So while harsh punishment may be a deterrent, the DGCA would be biting off more than it can chew by rolling out the same high standards for other personnel. The key will be in implementation.

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India News

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari says poor engineering, lack of accountabillity behind road accidents

Nitin Gadkari blames flawed road designs and lack of accountability for rising road accidents in India. He calls for improved safety measures and better planning in infrastructure projects.

Published

16 hours ago

on

March 6, 2025

By

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has blamed faulty detailed project reports (DPRs) and flawed road designs for the increasing number of road accidents in India. Speaking at the Global Road Infratech Summit & Expo (GRIS), he underscored the lack of accountability in road construction and planning, calling for urgent reforms to improve road safety.

Engineering flaws behind rising accidents

Gadkari, known for his candid opinions, stated, “Most of the road accidents happen in the country due to small civil mistakes, faulty DPRs and nobody is held accountable.” He pointed out that poor-quality DPRs and defective planning have led to an alarming rise in road mishaps.

Expressing concern over India’s poor road signage and marking systems, Gadkari urged authorities to take lessons from countries such as Spain, Austria, and Switzerland, where road infrastructure is significantly better.

Call for new strategies and sustainable materials

The minister emphasized the importance of adopting newer technologies and sustainable, recyclable materials in road construction to enhance safety. He urged the road construction industry to devise better strategies for accident prevention.

Disturbing road accident statistics

India recorded a staggering 1,80,000 deaths due to road accidents in 2023, a number Gadkari deemed unacceptable. With road safety being a top priority, he reiterated the government’s commitment to reducing road accidents by 50% by 2030.

Industry voices stress on prioritizing safety

At the event, International Road Federation (IRF) president emeritus K K Kapila echoed Gadkari’s concerns, stating that safety should be integrated into every aspect of road design, construction, and management. He emphasized that initiatives like GRIS aim to move towards a future with zero road fatalities.

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India News

AI-generated video of miniature humans making Indian sweets goes viral with 16 million views

A viral AI-generated video shows tiny human figures crafting oversized Indian sweets in a creative reel that has captivated social media, amassing over 16 million views.

Published

16 hours ago

on

March 6, 2025

By

AI-generated video of tiny humans making Indian sweets

Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to redefine creativity in the digital world, and the latest viral sensation is a testament to that. A mesmerizing AI-generated video featuring miniature human figures ‘making’ traditional Indian sweets has taken social media by storm, amassing over 16 million views on Instagram.

Miniature workers crafting oversized sweets

The viral reel, shared by the Instagram page @the.aiengineer, showcases tiny human-like figures engaged in the intricate process of ‘preparing’ various Indian sweets that appear much larger than them. Dressed as construction workers, the miniature figures are depicted as ‘perfecting’ stacks of jalebis, kneading soft rasgullas, glazing gulab jamuns, and shaping laddoos, kaju katlis, barfis, patisa, and other beloved treats.

One particularly creative scene features rasgullas floating in a pond of sugar syrup, with the tiny figures rowing a boat over them. In the background, more miniature workers are seen carting, collecting, and shaping ingredients such as dry fruits and nuts. Ladders, cranes, and other construction machinery are cleverly incorporated into the scenes, making the process look like a grand culinary project.

Social media reacts with admiration and humor

The video has sparked a wave of reactions in the comment section. While many users expressed awe and appreciation for the imaginative concept, others found it humorous. Some of the top comments included:

  • “Wow, so beautiful.”
  • “Can’t stop watching it. It’s amazing.”
  • “Get me a ticket to this city.”
  • “Love the imagination.”
  • “No hygiene at all… people are walking on laddoos!”

Some viewers even drew comparisons to the world of ants, while others humorously pointed out concerns about hygiene in this whimsical world of sweets.

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Entertainment

Kiara Advani exits Don 3 after pregnancy announcement, says report

Kiara Advani has reportedly exited Don 3 following her pregnancy announcement. However, an official confirmation is still awaited.

Published

17 hours ago

on

March 6, 2025

By

Kiara Advani exits Don 3 after pregnancy news

Bollywood actress Kiara Advani has reportedly stepped away from Ranveer Singh-starrer Don 3 following her pregnancy announcement with husband Sidharth Malhotra. The actress was earlier confirmed as the female lead in Farhan Akhtar’s much-anticipated film.

No official confirmation from the makers yet

As per a report, Kiara Advani has chosen to prioritize her personal life over Don 3. However, there has been no official confirmation from either the actress or the makers of the film regarding her exit. Last year, Excel Entertainment welcomed Kiara to the Don universe through a social media announcement, but no details about her role were disclosed.

Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra’s pregnancy announcement

Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra shared the joyful news of their pregnancy last week with a heartwarming post on social media. The couple posted an image featuring a pair of tiny socks, captioning it, “The greatest gift of our lives. Coming soon.” Fans and industry colleagues showered the couple with congratulatory messages.

Kiara’s upcoming projects

While stepping away from Don 3, Kiara Advani is currently wrapping up War 2, where she will be seen alongside Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR. She is also working on Toxic, starring Kannada superstar Yash.

Beyond these confirmed projects, speculation is rife regarding Kiara’s involvement in Shakti Shalini and Dhoom 4, both set for a 2026 release. Whether she will continue with these projects or take a break remains to be seen, with an official announcement awaited.

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