Aviation
Infosys chairperson Sudha Murty was called a “cattle class” on airport due to her outfits!
She was recently seen on the Kapil Sharma Show, hosted by the Indian comedian. and she related some of her most treasured memories. She made the point that how you dress affects how people treat you. The scoopwhoop covered this story.
So often, it’s the simplest acts of courage that touch the lives of others. Sudha Murty-through the exceptional work of the Infosys Foundation as well as through her own youth, family life, and travels-encounters many such stories…And she tells them here in her characteristically clear-eyed, warm-hearted way.
She talks candidly about the meaningful impact of her work in the devadasi community, her trials and tribulations as the only female student in her engineering college and the unexpected and inspiring consequences of her father’s kindness. From the quiet joy of discovering the reach of Indian cinema and the origins of Indian vegetables to the shallowness of judging others based on appearances, these are everyday struggles and victories, large and small. Unmasking both the beauty and ugliness of human nature, each of the real-life stories in this collection is reflective of a life lived with grace.
Here’s an excerpt from Sudha Murty’s ‘Three Thousand Stitches: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives’
Last year, I was at the Heathrow International Airport in London about to board a flight. Usually, I wear a sari even when I am abroad, but I prefer wearing a salwar kameez while travelling. So there I was—a senior citizen dressed in typical Indian apparel at the terminal gate.
Since the boarding hadn’t started, I sat down and began to observe my surroundings. The flight was bound for Bengaluru and so I could hear people around me chatting in Kannada. I saw many old married couples of my age—they were most likely coming back from the US or UK after helping their children either through childbirth or a new home. I saw some British business executives talking to each other about India’s progress. Some teenagers were busy with the gadgets in their hands while the younger children were crying or running about the gate.
After a few minutes, the boarding announcement was made and I joined the queue. The woman in front of me was a well-groomed lady in an Indo-Western silk outfit, a Gucci handbag and high heels. Every single strand of her hair was in place and a friend stood next to her in an expensive silk sari, pearl necklace, matching earrings and delicate diamond bangles.
I looked at the vending machine nearby and wondered if I should leave the queue to get some water.
Suddenly, the woman in front of me turned sideways and looked at me with what seemed like pity in her eyes. Extending her hand, she asked, ‘May I see your boarding pass, please?’ I was about to hand over my pass to her, but since she didn’t seem like an airline employee, I asked, ‘Why?’
‘Well, this line is meant for business class travellers only,’ she said confidently and pointed her finger towards the economy class queue. ‘You should go and stand there,’ she said.
I was about to tell her that I had a business class ticket but on second thoughts, held back. I wanted to know why she had thought that I wasn’t worthy of being in the business class. So I repeated, ‘Why should I stand there?’
She sighed. ‘Let me explain. There is a big difference in the price of an economy and a business class ticket. The latter costs almost two and a half times more than . . .’
Exactly,’ said the woman. ‘So there are certain privileges that are associated with a business class ticket.’
‘Really?’ I decided to be mischievous and pretended not to know.
‘What kind of privileges are you talking about?’
She seemed annoyed. ‘We are allowed to bring two bags but you can only take one. We can board the flight from another, less-crowded queue. We are given better meals and seats. We can extend the seats and lie down flat on them. We always have television screens and there are four washrooms for a small number of passengers.’
Her friend added, ‘A priority check-in facility is available for our bags, which means they will come first upon arrival and we get more frequent flyer miles for the same flight.’
‘Now that you know the difference, you can go to the economy line,’ insisted the woman.
‘But I don’t want to go there.’ I was firm.
The lady turned to her friend. ‘It is hard to argue with these cattle-class people. Let the staff come and instruct her where to go. She isn’t going to listen to us.’
I didn’t get angry. The word ‘cattle class’ was like a blast from the past and reminded me of another incident.
One day, I had gone to an upscale dinner party in my home city of Bengaluru. Plenty of local celebrities and socialites were in attendance. I was speaking to some guests in Kannada when a man came to me and said very slowly and clearly in English, ‘May I introduce myself? I am . . .’
It was obvious that he thought that I might have a problem understanding the language.
I smiled. ‘You can speak to me in English.’
‘Oh,’ he said, slightly flabbergasted. ‘I’m sorry. I thought you weren’t comfortable with English because I heard you speaking in Kannada.’
‘There’s nothing shameful in knowing one’s native language. It is, in fact, my right and my privilege. I only speak in English when somebody can’t understand Kannada.’
The line in front of me at the airport began moving forward and I came out of my reverie. The two women ahead were whispering among themselves, ‘Now she will be sent to the other line. It is so long now! We tried to tell her but she refused to listen to us.’
When it was my turn to show my boarding pass to the attendant, I saw them stop and wait a short distance away, waiting to see what would happen. The attendant took my boarding pass and said brightly, ‘Welcome back! We met last week, didn’t we?’
‘Yes,’ I replied.
She smiled and moved on to the next traveler.
I walked a few steps ahead of the woman intending to let this go, but then I changed my mind and came back.
‘Please tell me—what made you think that I couldn’t afford a business class ticket? Even if I didn’t have one, was it really your prerogative to tell me where I should stand? Did I ask you for help?’
The women stared at me in silence.
‘You refer to the term “cattle class”. Class does not mean possession of a huge amount of money,’ I continued, unable to stop myself from giving them a piece of my mind.
‘There are plenty of wrong ways to earn money in this world. You may be rich enough to buy comfort and luxuries, but the same money doesn’t define class or give you the ability to purchase it. Mother Teresa was a classy woman. So is Manjul Bhargava, a great mathematician of Indian origin. The concept that you automatically gain class by acquiring money is an outdated thought process.’
I left without waiting for a reply.
Courtesy : Scoopwhoop
Aviation
Tejas and C-390 Millennium: India and Brazil’s Defense Trade Vision
India and Brazil are exploring a mutually beneficial deal to enhance their defense product exports. There are indications that this potential agreement could include the exchange of fighter jets, essentially functioning as a barter system. For example, India has a long-standing offset policy requiring foreign defense companies to reinvest a portion of their contract value back into India through technology transfer or other reciprocal benefits.
Many countries engage in such exchanges to support each other’s defense industries, thereby strengthening national policies and economies. A notable example is the barter deal between South Korea and Indonesia, where South Korea sold its T-50 jets to Indonesia in return for defense-related goods and trade advantages.
India-Brazil defence mutual benefits
If the India-Brazil deal comes to fruition, it could provide mutual benefits, as both nations are in need of advanced platforms. Brazil is well-known for its Embraer aircraft, which ranks as one of the top three manufacturers of private and commercial jets. However, Brazil lacks expertise in fighter jet production, and this deal could provide the exposure needed to enter the fighter jet market.
In 2014, Brazil made a significant purchase of 36 Gripen fighters, with deliveries expected by 2027. Brazil is also producing Gripen fighter jets at its Embraer plant, with SAAB and Embraer collaborating to enhance the performance of the Gripen aircraft further.
India Faces Shortage of Military Aircraft Materials
Currently, India faces a shortage of medium military transport aircraft and is seeking to acquire more. The C-130J and C-17 Globemaster, along with the Russian IL-76, are currently in service. However, the production of the C-17 has been halted, making it unavailable in the market, while the IL-76 is experiencing maintenance challenges due to a shortage of spare parts.
Air India Might Operate Tata-Made New Airbus C295 Aircraft
India is currently seeking a reliable partner for military transport aircraft, and the Embraer C-390 Millennium stands out as an ideal fit. If a deal between Brazil and India materializes, it could yield significant benefits for both nations.
Embraer C390 payload capacity
The Brazilian Air Force is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere and the second largest in the Americas. Embraer proudly presents the C-390 Millennium as the future of military transport aircraft, featuring a payload capacity of 26,000 kg. This makes it a compelling choice, especially since it outperforms the C-130J Super Hercules, which has a payload capacity of 19,000 kg. Given India’s interest in enhancing its military capabilities, it’s clear why experts believe that discussions around this aircraft could lead to a significant agreement.
This international airline is offering free flight tickets to Indian travelers
Brazil operates the Gripen E fighter jet, which is expected to expand its fleet in the near future. However, the Tejas fighter jet has certain advantages over the Gripen. For instance, the Tejas features a quadruple digital fly-by-wire system that offers greater redundancy and safety compared to the single FBW system in the Gripen. Additionally, its use of composite materials reduces its radar cross-section, and its wide duct air intake enhances performance. Notably, the Tejas can take off in as little as 460 meters, significantly shorter than the Gripen’s 800-meter requirement.
Tejas and Gripen E Engine
Both jets are equipped with advanced avionics and electronic warfare systems, but the Gripen does hold some advantages with its more powerful GE F414 engine. The Gripen has a better payload capacity and maximum takeoff weight, and the optimized F414 engine provides superior thrust, enhancing agility and aerial engagement capabilities. However, the F404 engine of the Tejas is cheaper to maintain and operate compared to the F414.
With a maximum capacity of 26 tonnes, the C-390 surpasses the C-130’s 19-tonne capacity. Additionally, the C-390 is equipped with both probe and drogue systems, allowing it to refuel fighter jets and even serve as a tanker—capabilities that the C-130J does not offer. If India and Brazil decide to collaborate on the C-390’s production, it could be a game-changer for both nations.
India could potentially modify the C-390 aircraft for combat roles, such as launching long-range subsonic cruise missiles. This adaptation is feasible, as evidenced by the U.S. using its MC-130 to launch AGM-158 missiles.
India’s collbration with TATA & Airbus C295
Currently, India, in collaboration with Airbus, is producing around 56 aircraft for defense purposes. This milestone strengthens India’s defense capabilities, as spare parts will be more accessible due to local production and support. The C295 aircraft plays a crucial role in boosting regional connectivity and transporting troops and essential military supplies.
Furthermore, the C-390 could function as a drone mothership for deploying India’s swift and stealthy drones, providing a cost-effective solution that maximizes operational capabilities. However, challenges related to self-survivability, precision strikes, and operations in contested environments need to be addressed. If these challenges can be resolved, this concept could significantly enhance India’s long-range strike capabilities.
Similarly, manufacturing the Tejas MK1 in collaboration with Brazil would bring substantial benefits, especially for Brazil. Their mutual membership in BRICS could foster deep cooperation, defense technology sharing, and industrial development. By partnering on the Tejas program, Brazil’s aerospace industry could enter the fighter aircraft segment, leading to advancements in knowledge transfer and the establishment of local supply chains.
Reducing reliance on India for fighter maintenance and support, the C-390 Millennium would significantly enhance India’s logistical and operational capacity. Meanwhile, the Tejas MK1A offers Brazil an affordable yet effective solution to bolster its air combat capabilities, further deepening the strategic ties between the two nations.
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