Latest news with #ShivAroor
NDTV
a day ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Ace Fashion Designer Rina Dhaka To NDTV On Prada Kolhapuri Getting Mumbai Mention: "A Big Win For India"
Italian luxury fashion house Prada found itself at the center of controversy after showcasing a pair of leather sandals that closely resemble India's traditional Kolhapuri chappals - with a price tag of a whopping 1.2 lakh rupees. It all started when Prada's sandals were on its official website, labeled as 'Leather sandals' without any mention of Indian influence or the Kolhapuri heritage. Indian designers were among the first to call out the brand. Renowned fashion designer, Rina Dhaka recently spoke to Shiv Aroor, Managing Editor, NDTV, on the ongoing controversy. Fashion Designer Rina Dhaka On Prada's Kolhapuri Chappals ' Controversy Speaking about the uproar, Rina Dhaka commended the media and the people to highlight it. The Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MACCI) recently mentioned that they had a virtual meeting with Prada over a collaboration and ethical sourcing. In response, Prada had expressed its inclination towards launching a limited-edition 'Made in India' Kolhapuri-inspired collection, which will be in partnership with local artisans, according to MACCI. Rina Dhaka called it "a big win for India". She further stated that she thinks that Indians have been able to create enough noise to create a "trickle effect in the livelihood of not just the workers of Kolhapur but all of India." "The fact that they have acted on it and shown sincerity and interest in working with the original manufacturers of this craft is great on the part of Prada. It's ethical," she added. Rina Dhaka On Prada's Attempt At Cultural Appropriation When asked about whether this could be an honest mistake or an attempt at cultural appropriation, Rina Dhaka explained, "When it comes to design nobody really knows who's designing these. It could be someone really young, somebody who's just fascinated by India and the tales and stories that will keep inspiring artists all over the world. Young fashion talent doesn't always know about copyright laws and the implications of such kind of a fallback. I'm glad Prada and their group have taken such a noble step as to work with the artisans right in India because given their quality standards, they will have to really work with them to make this a success." Congratulating people on making their voices heard, Rina Dhaka said, "Kudos to the team of Maharashtra who managed to contact them and get through to them and have them come on board in itself is huge." She further added that with such a big wave of a trend for Kolhapuri chappals, "The sales of the same product and category will increase and many variants will emerge after this. It is also a great way for its revival." Prada's Kolhapuri Chappals Controversy Kolhapuri chappals, which have been part of the Indian heritage since the 12th century, hail from the town of Kolhapur in Maharashtra. Famous for their unique design and intricate handwork, the similarity between Prada's design and traditional Kolhapuris was uncanny. At Milan Fashion Week 2025, at least seven out of the 56 looks presented at Prada's Spring/Summer 2026 fashion show featured models wearing Kolhapuris. Following this the brand faced allegations of cultural appropriation and profiting off Indian heritage without due credit or compensation.
NDTV
4 days ago
- General
- NDTV
Western Media Blaming Pilots For Air India Crash Justifies, Sadly, What Gul Panag Told NDTV 10 Days Ago
New Delhi: Ten days ago, actor and hobby pilot Gul Panag expressed concern that the pilots of the ill-fated Air India flight AI171 might be unfairly blamed for the crash, which took place on June 12. Her fear, shared in an interview with NDTV's Managing Editor Shiv Aroor, now appears to be coming true as several Western media outlets have begun pointing fingers at the pilots, despite an incomplete investigation and a preliminary report that is 'still' under review. What Happened On June 12? On June 12, 2025, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner travelling from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed shortly after take-off. The flight was carrying 242 people - 230 passengers, 10 crew members and 2 pilots. Only one person, the passenger seated in 11A, survived the crash. A total of 260 people, including 19 on the ground, lost their lives. What The Preliminary Report Said According to the 15-page preliminary report released by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), both engines failed seconds after the aircraft reached a speed of 180 knots. The Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel cutoff switches moved from "RUN" to "CUTOFF" within a second of each other, shutting off fuel supply to the engines. Though the engines showed brief signs of recovery, they failed to stabilise. The aircraft lost altitude quickly and crashed into a densely populated area just beyond the airport's boundary wall. The Ram Air Turbine (RAT), a backup device deployed in case of total power loss, activated automatically, confirming that the aircraft had lost all engine and electrical power. The AAIB also ruled out a bird strike, citing no recorded bird activity during the takeoff. Inspections, drone footage and component isolations are currently underway, and both engines have been moved to a secure hangar for further examination. Western Media Blames Pilots (No Suprises There) Despite the technical nature of the AAIB's findings and the absence of definitive conclusions, several international media outlets, including BBC, Reuters, The Guardian and Daily Mail among others, picked selective portions of the report and suggested pilot error. The Western media have published reports highlighting the movement of the fuel switches to the "CUTOFF" position, subtly implying that the pilots may have been responsible. BBC reported that cockpit fuel switches were turned off during takeoff, a step meant only for emergency landings. It mentioned recorded cockpit confusion, with one pilot asking the other why the fuel had been switched off. The report does not confirm who gave the command or why the switches moved. The Guardian also pointed to the switches being turned off moments after takeoff, while omitting to mention that the AAIB has not confirmed whether it was due to pilot error or a technical malfunction. The Internet believes this selective interpretation of the preliminary report could be an attempt to "deflect blame" from Boeing, which is under global scrutiny for issues related to its commercial aircraft. Gul Panag Saw It Coming In her interview with NDTV, Gul Panag, who holds a Private Pilot's License since 2016, voiced her concerns about premature blame being pinned on pilots in aviation disasters. "The sad thing is, till the more is revealed, I suspect, and tragically so... The gut instinct says that it will eventually come down to or it will be made to look like pilot error and that's what every pilot fears because they are not there to defend themselves," she said, adding, "I hope it's not that. Every single incident that we have had in recent times is unfortunately put down as that." Referencing the Boeing 737 Max crashes, Panag added: "In the case of the 737 Max, other facts revealed themselves later. But the initial report just puts it out like, 'This could have been handled better', even if there were failures and could be attributed to other things, there will be a pilot error aspect as a contributing factor." She also highlighted that pilot training covers emergency procedures, such as engine failure, extensively. "Engine failure and take-off are memory items and how to address that is also something that is drilled into your head from the time you go to flying school," she explained. "Whether engines failed or they didn't fail, all of that will be revealed once the final report is out," she added. Discussing the mayday call made by the pilot, Panag said, "It demonstrates complete and total coherence. He hadn't given into panic. All of the people I'm in touch with by virtue of belonging to the aviation ecosystem, that's a very critical thing." Panag, whose husband Rishi Attari is also a pilot, added: "Given how advanced the machines are today, it is the only variable because the machine flies itself... If you step back and look back, the human element is the only variable in the bigger picture. So, we'll have to wait till the results come out." A Deja Vu Moment The Air India flight had 242 people onboard - 230 passengers, 10 cabin crew and two pilots: Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kundar. Only one passenger, seated in 11A, survived. The crash killed 260 people in total, including those on the ground. The final report is still awaited. Until then, Gul Panag's prediction that pilots may be blamed before the facts are clear, now feels like a chilling deja vu.
NDTV
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
"I'm A Part-Time Actor, Full-Time Politician": Smriti Irani Exclusive
Former MP and actor Smriti Irani sat down for an exclusive interview with Shiv Aroor, Managing Editor, NDTV, a day after the first promo of the Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi reboot was dropped by the makers. Smriti Irani is stepping back into the shoes of her fan-favourite character Tulsi Virani from the popular soap opera which first aired on Star Plus 25 years ago. Asked whether she was nervous to return as the OG TV bahu, Smriti Irani said, "I'm a politician, nothing that you throw at me will make me nervous ever." The actor-politician, however, pointed out that there is a "huge difference" between how TV is perceived today and how it was positioned 25 years ago. "Most individuals that are associated with television do not get the respect that we deserve as an industry in terms of the revenues that we generate, in terms of the impact that we create... If you look at the numbers, last year, television itself generated a revenue up to Rs 30,000 crore. OTT, which is now a very integral part of how stories are told in our country, generated close to Rs 24,000 crore worth of revenue. "To have a creative force get unleashed across both these platforms, in terms of revenue, means an impact that we will create in a Rs 55,000 odd crore market. When the Prime Minister speaks about creative industries and how India can leverage its economic sociocultural potential in such a market force is a defining feature. We are very proud that it is one such of not only commercial success, but also cultural impact," Smriti Irani said. Referring to herself as a "full-time politician, part-time actor", Smriti Irani said she has always juggled her acting assignments and political responsibilities simultaneously. "Just like many politicians are part-time lawyers, part-time teachers, part-time journalists. I just happen to be a part-time politician. I've done it simultaneously, which is what I think is difficult to grasp. Like I said, the only difference between me and my other political workers is they are part-time lawyers, and there's no videographer along with them. There's no makeup person along with them, there's a script writer. It's just that we're all from different locations. I'm just the one in the spotlight," she added.
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First Post
03-07-2025
- First Post
SpiceJet flight's window frame comes loose mid-air. How risky is that?
Passengers of a SpiceJet flight from Goa to Pune were in panic after a cabin window frame became loose mid-air. While no one was hurt and the plane landed safely, it has raised questions about airline safety read more A routine flight from Goa to Pune turned into a tense experience for passengers when a section of the cabin window frame inside a SpiceJet aircraft came loose mid-air earlier this week. While no one was injured and the plane landed safely, footage shared by startled passengers quickly went viral, sparking fresh concerns about airline safety. The incident raised an important question for many: just how dangerous is it when a window frame comes loose mid-air? Could it have put lives at risk? And what exactly happens in such situations? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here's what we know What happened on the SpiceJet flight? SpiceJet Flight SG1080, operating a Bombardier Q400 aircraft, took off from Goa for Pune on the evening of July 1. Not long after takeoff, a passenger noticed that a part of the cabin window's interior trim had come loose. Videos soon began circulating on social media, showing the light-coloured plastic frame, known as the shade trim, dangling unsteadily from the wall. Mandar Sawant, a passenger on the flight, told The Indian Express, 'I was travelling back from Goa to Pune after attending an event. A woman was sitting behind me with a baby. Half an hour after takeoff, the window (close to her) just popped out. The woman got scared, and it was damn concerning…" He added, 'The flight attendants tried to calm us down, but what else could they even do? They moved the woman and her child to a different seat behind. The stewardess did manage to somewhat get the window back on, but any sudden movement and it probably would have fallen off again.' #SpiceJet from Goa to Pune today. The whole interior window assembly just fell off mid flight. And this flight is now supposed to take off and head to Jaipur. Wonder if it's air worthy @ShivAroor @VishnuNDTV @DGCAIndia — Aatish Mishra (@whatesh) July 1, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Another flyer shared a video on X, showing the dislodged panel and expressing concern over the aircraft's safety. 'SpiceJet from Goa to Pune today (Tuesday). The whole interior window assembly just fell off mid-flight. And this flight is now supposed to take off and head to Jaipur. Wonder if it's airworthy,' the user wrote, tagging the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). SpiceJet responds to viral video The airline later issued a clarification, saying that safety was never at risk and the flight continued without any change in cabin pressure. In an official statement, SpiceJet confirmed the loose panel was a non-structural 'cosmetic (interior) window frame' used purely for shading and had no role in maintaining cabin pressure or aircraft structure. 'It did not compromise the safety or integrity of the aircraft in any way,' the statement read. Spicejet that once the aircraft landed in Pune, engineers fixed the issue following standard maintenance protocol. File image/Reuters The airline added that once the aircraft landed in Pune, engineers fixed the issue following standard maintenance protocol. However, SpiceJet did not share additional technical details about the inspection or whether the aircraft underwent a full check before being cleared for the next leg to Jaipur. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What happens if an airplane window breaks mid-air? While the SpiceJet incident involved a cosmetic panel, not the actual aircraft window, the situation raised questions about what would happen if a real window were to crack mid-flight. To understand the risks, it's important to know how airplane windows are constructed. Modern commercial aircraft windows are built in three layers: the outer pane, which holds the cabin pressure; a middle pane, which acts as a backup; and an inner plastic layer, which passengers see and can touch. The loose piece seen on the SpiceJet flight was part of this inner cosmetic trim, not the structure keeping the plane pressurised, the airline noted. Modern commercial aircraft windows are built in three layers. Image for Representation. Pixabay The outer pane is the one that matters most. As planes ascend, air pressure outside the cabin drops dramatically, while inside, the cabin is artificially pressurised to keep conditions safe and breathable. That means the outer window is holding back a significant amount of pressure, and is therefore designed to be exceptionally strong. In the rare event that an outer pane fails mid-air, the result can be rapid cabin depressurisation. The air inside the plane rushes out to equalise with the lower pressure outside. At cruising altitudes, this can lead to a sudden drop in oxygen levels. Symptoms of hypoxia, or oxygen deprivation, can begin within seconds at high altitudes. Dizziness, confusion, or even unconsciousness can set in quickly. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is when oxygen masks, the ones mentioned in every pre-flight safety briefing, automatically deploy. They provide passengers with emergency oxygen to keep them conscious while the pilots descend the plane to a lower, safer altitude, where the air has sufficient oxygen. So, while the SpiceJet case did not cause any harm this time, it did spotlight the importance of both safety checks in passenger aircraft. With input from agencies
NDTV
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Actor-Pilot Gul Panag: "My Gut Says Air India Crash Will Be Blamed On Pilot Error, But..."
On June 12, 2025, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, carrying 242 passengers and crew members, crashed shortly after take-off. There were 230 passengers, 10 crew members and two pilots on the flight that was headed to London. One person -- the passenger of seat No. 11A -- survived the crash. Actor Gul Panag, who received her Private Pilot's License in 2016, in an interview with Shiv Aroor, Managing Editor, NDTV, spoke about the ill-fated Air India crash and why the pilots could eventually be blamed for the tragedy. Gul Panag, known for films such as Dor and Manorama Six Feet Under as well as web series Paatal Lok and The Family Man, said as a hobby pilot, she flies every other month. "I'm just rated to fly two-three small, little aircraft. But few things are sacrosanct across the aircraft you fly whether you fly the fancy B-2 Bomber, it's a beautiful aircraft, or you fly a 15217 Cessna. "There are certain things that go on in a pilot's mind when you're taking off. Engine failure and take-off are memory items and how to address that is also something that is drilled into your head from the time you go to flying school," the actor told NDTV. Engine failure is a verbal callout that a pilot practises, even when they are alone in the aircraft, if they have been trained well, she said. "Whether engines failed or they didn't fail, all of that will be revealed once the final report is out. Two critical things stand out - one, he (the pilot) made a mayday call, which means he assessed in the short span of time that he really felt the aircraft sinking, he troubleshot whatever he could in that short span of time, because you're assuming it is engine failure. "It demonstrates complete and total coherence. He hadn't given into panic. All of the people I'm in touch with by virtue of belonging to the aviation ecosystem, that's a very critical thing," said Gul Panag, whose husband Rishi Attari is also a pilot. The actor, however, said she fears the blame of the Air India crash would be put on the pilots. "The sad thing is, till the more is revealed, I suspect, and tragically so... The gut instinct says that it will eventually come down to or it will be made to look like pilot error and that's what every pilot fears because they are not there to defend themselves. I hope it's not that. Every single incident that we have had in recent times is unfortunately put down as that. In the case of the 737 Max, other facts revealed themselves later," she said. "But the initial report just puts it out like, 'This could have been handled better', even if there were failures and could be attributed to other things, there will be a pilot error aspect as a contributing factor. Having said that, given how advanced the machines are today, it is the only variable because the machine flies itself... If you step back and look back, the human element is the only variable in the bigger picture. So, we'll have to wait till the results come out," she added.
