Aviation

Harbhajan Singh slams Jet Airways pilot for racially abusing passenger

India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh on Wednesday brought in notice an alleged incident of racism and assault by a Jet Airways pilot which took place on April 3.In a series of tweets, Harbhajan said a Jet Airways pilot named Bernd Hoesslin racially abused and assaulted two passengers on the flight, one of them being a person with physical disability.
The 36-year-old, who recently became the 19th bowler and third Indian to pick 200 wickets in T20 cricket, told India Today: “A friend of mine she told me that this incident happened with her while she was flying from Chandigarh to Mumbai along with a very dear friend of mine, Jitender Shah, who is a Punjabi music director and who is also physically disabled.”
“Actually I got to know yesterday about this whole incident that happened. A friend of my wife, Pooja Singh Gujral, told us about this incident happened with them and the pilot was very rude and his behaviour was racist.

“You can’t tell us bloody Indians, we are proud Indians. He is no one to tell us who we are and what we do. He is earning in our country, he just can’t tell what he feels what so ever,” he added.

Harbhajan demanded that Jet Airways should take strict action against the pilot and send him back to his country.

“Indians should be treated like an normal human beings. They just can’t insult us by saying that we are bloody Indians, we are not, we are proud Indians. Whoever the pilot is, tell him he is working here, earning from our pockets, and Jet should sack him and send him back to his own country to earn his money.

“The pilots can’t speak whatever they feel like, this is racial abuse. They not only called him bloody Indian, but pushed this lady as well, saying ‘get out of my flight’. That’s not his private charter.

“I would like each and every Indian to unite with this, whatever happened. Any Indian should not face racial abuse in our own country by someone who is working here. Strict action must be taken,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Jet Airways have issued a statement, saying that the pilot has been derostered pending investigation.

“The pilot has been derostered pending investigation since the time we got to know. We take a very serious view of such issues,” the airline said.
Courtesy : India today

Related Topics:cricket Harbajan singh jet Airways

Aviation

India Launches Its Medium-Lift Class Helicopter Program, chooses New Engine

India’s longstanding need for a Medium Helicopter may soon become a reality as the country has fully ramped up its engine development efforts. This new helicopter is set to replace the Russian-built models currently in service and will play a crucial role across various scenarios for the Indian Armed Forces.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and SAFHAL Helicopter Engines Pvt. Ltd. (SAFHAL) have launched a groundbreaking partnership to develop a state-of-the-art high-power engine named Aravalli.

This new engine will power the upcoming 13-ton Medium Lift Helicopter (IMRH) and the Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH), both of which are being designed and developed by HAL.

Named after the majestic Aravalli mountain range in India, the Aravalli engine symbolizes the country’s drive for self-reliance, or Aatmanirbharta, in critical engine technologies. This cutting-edge engine will be instrumental for the IMRH, a versatile 13-ton multi-role helicopter designed to meet the needs of the Indian armed forces, and the DBMRH, a 12.5-ton naval variant tailored for the Indian Navy.

The IMRH is poised to become a cornerstone of the Indian armed forces over the next decade. With its first flight expected in 3 to 4 years, the IMRH is anticipated to begin induction by 2030, with plans to integrate between 300 to 400 units, and potentially more in the future.

The IMRH is envisioned as a highly versatile multi-role helicopter that will enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian military. The DBMRH, designed for naval operations, will also face the challenges of high-altitude environments in regions such as Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh—areas of strategic importance due to their proximity to the China border.

In addition to its military applications, the Aravalli engine is projected to enter the civil market, serving roles in offshore operations, utility services, and VVIP transport. The long-term vision includes Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) activities to further extend the engine’s utility and support the aviation industry.

This collaboration between HAL and SAFHAL builds on their successful history of working together on the Shakti engine, which powers several HAL helicopters, including the Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv, the Light Combat Helicopter Prachand, and the Light Utility Helicopter. The proven success of this partnership lays a strong foundation for the development of the Aravalli engine, setting the stage for a new era in India’s helicopter capabilities.