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Pilot who failed alcohol test appointed regional director of Air India

Agencies
April 30, 2019

New Delhi, Apr 30: National carrier Air India on Tuesday appointed senior pilot Arvind Kathpalia, who was sacked from the post of Director (Operations) for failing in a mandatory breath analyzer test, as its Regional Director for Northern region.

Captain Kathpalia will step into the shoes of Pankaj Kumar who retires on Tuesday.

"Consequent to the retirement of Mr Pankaj Kumar, Regional Director (Northern Region) after the close of working hours of April 30, 2019, Capt Arvind Kathpalia will take over the charge of the post of Regional Director (Northern Region) with effect from May 1, 2019," a press statement by Air India said.

Captain Kathpalia was suspended for three years by the Ministry of Civil Aviation after he failed the BA test for alcohol consumption before his flight to New Delhi to London in November last year.

He was also suspended for three months in 2017 after he refused to go through pre-flight breath analyzer test for a Bangalore-Delhi flight.

The Air India pilots body Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) "strongly condemned" Kathpalia's appointment.

"The ICPA strongly condemns this move. Top officials are bending backwards to elevate a tainted official. It has yet again proved that people with strong political connections can get away with any crime," the pilots' body said in a statement.

The ICPA in its statement said that Kathpalia may intimidate Air India staffers who have given statements in the police enquiry in connection with the pending cases against him.

"He has been made in-charge of Northern Region where he will be able to intimidate people who have given statements in the police enquiry," it said.

The pilots' body further stated: "Disciplinary action against commanders comes under the jurisdiction of RD-NR. A person who has broken the law and charge sheet pending against him cannot take disciplinary action against other employees."

The ICPA represents pilots who fly the narrow-body aircraft of Air India.

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Agencies
July 29,2020

New Delhi, Jul 29: Calling touchdown of Rafale fighter aircraft at Ambala airbase as "historic day" for Indian Air Force and proud moment for India, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that "world-class fighter jets will prove to be a game-changer".

In a series of tweets, Shah congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Indian Air Force and the entire country on this "momentous day".

"Rafale touchdown is a historic day for our vigorous @IAF_MCC and a proud moment for India! These are the world's most powerful machines capable to thwart any challenge in the sky. I am sure Rafale will help our Air warriors to safeguard our skies with its mighty superiority," Shah said in a tweet.

"From speed to weapon capabilities, Rafale is way ahead! I am sure these world class fighter jets will prove to be a game changer. Congratulations to PM @narendramodi ji, DM @rajnathsingh ji, Indian Air Force and the entire country on this momentous day. #RafaleInIndia," he added.

Shah said that Modi government is committed to build India's defence capabilities.

"Induction of these next generation aircrafts is a true testimony of PM @narendramodi's resolve to make India a powerful and secure nation. Modi govt is committed to build on India's defence capabilities. I thank honourable PM for providing this unprecedented strength to our IAF," he tweeted.

Earlier today, the five French Rafale fighter jets touched down at Haryana's Ambala after covering a distance of nearly 7,000 km to join the Indian Air Force.

The jets were given a customary water salute upon their arrival at the airbase, some 220-km from the India-Pakistan border.

The formal induction ceremony of the aircraft would be held later. The aircraft would move out soon to another operational base for operational sorties.

The five Rafale fighter aircraft took off on Monday for India from an airbase in France.
Rafale has multi-directional radar system which can detect 40 targets at the same time in a range of over 100 Kms. It has advance radar warning receiver to identify hostile tracking system a towed decoy system to thwart incoming missile attacks.

Rafale will ensure that our pilots will not have to cross the border to strike the target, that is about 600 Km in enemy territory.

It will get French industrial support for 50 years. India had signed a deal worth over Rs 60,000 crore with France in September 2016 for 36 Rafales to meet the emergency requirements of the IAF.

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Agencies
January 25,2020

Jammu, Jan 25: People in Jammu and Kashmir expressed happiness over the restoration of mobile data services and internet access through fixed-line across the Union Territory on Saturday.

Speaking to ANI Jitendra Sharma, a resident of Jammu said, "The government has taken a good decision. People had been facing hardship for a long period and I think it will improve further."

"It is a big relief to people. People can finish their pending work. I hope that 4G services will also be resumed soon," said a resident of Kashmir.

The internet speed is restricted to 2G only.

"Access shall be limited only to whitelisted sites and not to any social media applications allowing peer to peer communication and virtual private network applications. Directions shall be effective from January 25 and will remain in force till January 31," the statement by the government read.

Earlier on January 15, 2G services were reinstated in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, and Udhampur for white-listed sites.

The Central government had suspended the internet in the region following the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution on August 5 last year, which conferred special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, and its bifurcation into two Union Territories -- Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir.

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Agencies
July 31,2020

Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 31: People offered Eid-al-Adha namaz while ensuring social distancing norms at mosques in Thiruvananthapuram and Mallapuram on Friday.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had on Thursday announced that the Eid-al-Adha prayers can be offered in mosques of the state on Friday with a limited number of people due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kerala is celebrating the festival of Eid-al-Adha on Friday.

Eid al-Adha or Bakrid, also known as "Sacrifice Feast" is marked by sacrificing an animal, usually a sheep or a goat to prove their devotion and love for Allah. Post the sacrifice, devotees distribute the offering to family, friends, neighbours and especially to the poor and the needy. 

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