The crash of an air ambulance near Delhi in a small local gale only heightened the buzz about small planes
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The crash of an air ambulance near Delhi in a small local gale only heightened the buzz about small planes.
Congress leaders are worried about travelling in small aircrafts. There seems to be a jinx, they say. Many high-flying leaders have had their lives cut off at the prime including the likes of Madhavrao Scindia, YSR Reddy, and recently, the chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Dorji Khandu.
The question is whether these small aircrafts are safe enough for big leaders? Is it the aircraft or the experience of pilots who very often do not have the skills of other senior professionals?
The other big issue is leaders who often insist on flying even when weather conditions are not ideal for their journeys. Safety norms are often thrown to the winds. It is more often the young, the energetic and those with a penchant for mass public contact who push themselves too far. Whatever it is, within the top Congress circles this anxiety is doing the rounds.
Eye on Africa
Dilli is trying to drum up interest in Africa but it seems that no one is excited. To many here, India's efforts to increase its influence in Africa is a belated attempt to catch up with China, which has stolen the march. It is already Africa's largest single trading partner. So, the impressive-sounding $5 billion aid Manmohan Singh announced at the India-Africa Forum Summit looks rather pale in the harsh light of reality.
Still, Dilli hopes that India can become a major player in Africa. Certainly, Africa offers vast opportunities for investors from India. The growing interest is understandable and even necessary. But, it is felt, that we may have to do so under the shadow of the aggressive Chinese who have the advantage of a head-start.u00a0 But then hasn't it always been so?
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