logo
'Seeing investigation through facts': What aviation minister told Parliament on Air India crash; top quotes

'Seeing investigation through facts': What aviation minister told Parliament on Air India crash; top quotes

Time of India4 days ago
Photo/Agencies
NEW DELHI: Civil Aviation minister K Rammohan Naidu told the Rajya Sabha on Monday that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is following a clear, rule-based process to find out the exact cause of the Air India crash that killed 260 people last month.
He said the investigation is being carried out in an unbiased manner and in line with international norms.
Naidu said the government is committed to finding out the facts. "We want to stand by the truth. We want to find out what exactly happened and that is only going to be coming out once the final report (of AAIB) is placed. We have to respect the process of investigation and once that process has happened, then we can talk about what happened, how it happened and then corrective measures (can be taken)," he said.
The crash took place on June 12, when an Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft flying from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed into a building shortly after takeoff. Out of the 242 people onboard, 241 were killed. Nineteen others died on the ground. One passenger survived.
In response to questions about the role of the pilots, Naidu said the AAIB's preliminary report is based on the facts available in the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder.
"I can say this in the House and to the people of the country that the AAIB has a very definitive and thorough rule-based process. They are very transparently looking at the (investigation) process right now and they are totally unbiased," he said.
The minister noted that multiple reports, including some in Western media, have raised questions about different aspects of the crash. "I want to tell you that the way we are seeing the investigation is through the facts.
We want to stand by the truth and not what is happening with the pilots, Boeing, Air India or any other stakeholder," he added.
Naidu also said that India successfully decoded the black boxes from the crashed aircraft domestically for the first time. He said the AAIB has been able to extract and study the data.
The AAIB released its preliminary report on July 12. Five days later, on July 17, it said it was too early to reach any "definite conclusions" about the cause of the crash and urged people not to spread premature narratives. The bureau said the final report would establish the root cause and suggest corrective measures.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

France to recognise Palestinian State at UN in September; President Macron says ‘there is no alternative'
France to recognise Palestinian State at UN in September; President Macron says ‘there is no alternative'

Mint

time25 minutes ago

  • Mint

France to recognise Palestinian State at UN in September; President Macron says ‘there is no alternative'

In a major geopolitical development, French President Emmanuel Macron has declared that France will formally recognise the State of Palestine at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September. The announcement, made on Thursday evening via a post on X (formerly Twitter), positions France to become the first major Western power to take such a step, despite mounting international tensions and objections from key allies. In his message, Macron affirmed: 'True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine. I will make this solemn announcement at the United Nations general assembly next September.' The French president also shared a letter addressed to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, confirming his decision and outlining the broader intentions behind the move. Macron emphasised that his aim was to revive the two-state solution and bolster peace in a region increasingly consumed by violence and humanitarian catastrophe. Macron stressed the urgent need to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza, saying: 'The urgent priority today is to end the war in Gaza and rescue the civilian population. We must finally build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability and enable it, by accepting its demilitarisation and fully recognising Israel, to contribute to the security of all in the Middle East.' The decision comes amid rising humanitarian concerns. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), revealed that some frontline aid workers in Gaza are "fainting from hunger", underscoring the escalating crisis. With truce talks between Israel and Hamas stalled and starvation spreading, pressure on the international community to act has grown considerably. The move has sparked fierce condemnation from Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced France's decision, warning: 'France's decision rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became — a launch pad to annihilate Israel, not to live in peace beside it. Let's be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel.' The United States, too, is expected to voice disapproval. A leaked diplomatic cable from June revealed that Washington opposed any unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. France's decision may further strain transatlantic relations as the Biden administration continues to support Israel's security concerns. French resident Macron's decision follows months of internal deliberation within the French government. Officials had initially planned to announce the move during a high-level UN conference co-hosted with Saudi Arabia in June. However, that summit was postponed due to the brief Israel-Iran air war and closed regional airspace. The conference has since been rescheduled as a ministerial event for 28–29 July in New York, with a second, more senior meeting planned on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September. French diplomats say Macron's early announcement is meant to provide a clear diplomatic framework for upcoming talks with the nearly 40 foreign ministers attending next week's event. Despite resistance from allies including the UK and Canada, France has remained resolute. Macron's team is hopeful that the move will encourage other hesitant nations to follow suit and reignite momentum behind the two-state solution. The Palestinian Authority welcomed France's announcement warmly. Hussein al-Sheikh, vice-president of the Palestinian Authority, wrote on X: 'Macron's decision reflects France's commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people's rights to self-determination and the establishment of our independent state.' Saudi Arabia praised the announcement as a 'historic' step. The Saudi foreign ministry stated: 'The kingdom praises this historic decision, which reaffirms the international community's consensus on the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state.' Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose country recognised Palestinian statehood earlier in 2024, also welcomed Macron's move. In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced he would speak with German and French leaders on Friday about joint efforts to halt the violence in Gaza. He added that a ceasefire would 'put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state.' Other European nations including Ireland, Norway, Slovenia, and Spain have already recognised Palestinian statehood in recent months as the humanitarian toll in Gaza grows and international outrage mounts.

Monsoon session Day 4: Congress MPs move suspension notice in Rajya Sabha
Monsoon session Day 4: Congress MPs move suspension notice in Rajya Sabha

United News of India

time2 hours ago

  • United News of India

Monsoon session Day 4: Congress MPs move suspension notice in Rajya Sabha

New Delhi, July 24 (UNI) Rajya Sabha MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh has submitted a suspension of business notice in the Rajya Sabha under Rule 267, seeking a discussion on the constitutional and electoral implications of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Bihar. "That this House suspend zero hour and the relevant rules pertaining to question hour and other business of the day to discuss the concerns arising out of the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar ahead of elections, followed by a plan to conduct similar exercises nationwide, including in West Bengal, where high levels of migration, displacement, and documentation-related vulnerabilities persist. Such actions raise grave apprehensions about the disenfranchisement of a large section of the poor and marginalised," the notice stated. Rajya Sabha MPs Ranjeet Ranjan, Jebi Mather Hisham and Ashok Singh have also submitted an adjournment motion to discuss SIR. The Congress has accused the Election Commission of attempting to disenfranchise nearly 20% of voters in Bihar under the pretext of the ongoing SIR of electoral rolls. Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Bihar Congress president Rajesh Kumar alleged that the EC had already decided to deny voting rights to large sections of the population, especially migrant workers who are forced to live outside the state but return during elections to cast their votes. Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh also submitted a suspension of business notice in the Rajya Sabha under Rule 267, demanding a discussion in the Upper House on the SIR exercise in Bihar. "I would like to draw the attention of this House to a very serious and sensitive issue relating to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process currently being conducted by the Election Commission of India in the State of Bihar," his notice read. He stated that the SIR in Bihar appears "worrisome" at many levels and promotes "inequality." "Regular and transparent revision of electoral rolls is the cornerstone of a democratic system. The nature of this process, as adopted in Bihar, appears to be worrisome at many levels and promotes inequality—especially when viewed in the context of the upcoming Assembly elections in 2025," the Rajya Sabha MP said in his notice. "This process involves around 8 crore voters in the state, from whom demanding complex documentation is proving to be nearly impossible, particularly for migrant labourers, students, and economically backward sections who possess only Aadhaar cards as identity proof," he added. Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha faced repeated adjournments for the third consecutive day yesterday, as opposition parties continued to press for a discussion on SIR in Bihar, among other issues. UNI AAB PRS

12 Indians missing in Russia: Govt responds to Rajya Sabha MP's question
12 Indians missing in Russia: Govt responds to Rajya Sabha MP's question

Hindustan Times

time2 hours ago

  • Hindustan Times

12 Indians missing in Russia: Govt responds to Rajya Sabha MP's question

In response to a query raised by Rajya Sabha member Balbir Singh Seechewal, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) confirmed that 12 Indian youths are officially missing in Russia. The issue concerns Indian citizens who were allegedly stranded and forcefully inducted into the Russian armed forces. Minister of state for external affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said that the Indian government has urged Russia to provide regular updates on the missing individuals. (REUTERS/Representative) Seechewal raised the matter in the Parliament on Thursday, urging the ministry to take the issue seriously. Despite disruptions in the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament, the government is obligated to respond to written questions submitted by MPs. In his query, Seechewal asked why families of the stranded individuals were not receiving updates and what steps the Indian government is taking to support and repatriate these citizens. He also sought details on travel arrangements, legal aid abroad, and the overall strategy being adopted in such sensitive circumstances. 'The ministry must clarify the obstacles faced in bringing these youths home and outline the actions being taken to overcome them,' he stated. Responding to the written question, minister of state for external affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh informed the House that 98 have returned to India after serving in the Russian army. Of these, 13 remain in Russian service and 12 others officially listed as missing by Russian authorities. The minister said that the Indian government has urged Russia to provide regular updates on the missing individuals and to ensure their safety, well-being and early release. 'For those whose service has concluded, the Indian Embassy in Russia is facilitating their return by arranging travel documents and where needed, providing flight tickets,' the minister stated. He added that the safety and welfare of all Indian nationals abroad remain the Centre's highest priority and every request for assistance is acted upon promptly.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store