- The whole world must have wondered what’s happening with India as a country that wishes to be counted amongst the most aspirational, aiming to be the top three economies in the next few years. Not only that, but the incumbent Union Government also wishes us to believe that we are on the path to becoming the most advanced nation by 2047. Are we, as a nation’s demographic assets and responsible citizens, worthy enough to ensure our contributions towards realizing the same is second to none? What are we looking at here? As you are aware, on 11th March, an Air India flight from Chicago to New Delhi was forced to return to Chicago due to a technical issue. And what was the technical issue announced, by the way? You will be shocked to know for sure.
PC: KRON4
- The technical issue turned out to be clogged toilets caused by passengers travelling in the flight flushing plastic bags, rags, and clothes down the toilets. As appalling as it sounds, the fact of the matter is that the travellers were found to be so ignorant, uncouth, uncivilized, and lacking in sensitivity for their fellow travellers that an airborne flight had to be returned for having left with one serviceable toilet for the passengers. The eleven toilets out of 12 became blocked, rendering passengers without normal facilities. How can anybody even think about flushing rags, clothes, and plastic bags in the toilet knowing fully well the restricted logistical arrangements for natural calls in an aircraft? The behaviour simply lacks basic common sense. It’s disgusting and embarrassing.
PC: BBC
- As one passenger recalled, 11 out of the 12 toilets filled up before even getting halfway through the flight. As the flight journey proceeded and things went from bad to worse, the inconvenience was obvious. It makes one nauseated to even imagine the scenario in the plane stinking with the clogged toilets making life miserable for traveller on board. It’s worth remembering how Air India was bought back by the Tatas after the Union Government decided to disinvest from the ailing airline a few years back. Of course, Air India was birthed by the Tatas before the authority passed on to the government. With the Tatas reclaiming the legacy airline back into their folds, so much was expected vis-à-vis services. If not top notch, then satisfactory services at least.
PC: NDTV
- Since the much-fancied takeover, Air India has found itself in the news headlines for all the wrong reasons. It’s accepted that things cannot be transformed overnight since the rot in the state-run Air India ran so deep for such a long period. However, given the track record of the Tatas for providing quality services was never in doubt, repeated incidents of Air India failing to live up to the expectations are happening at an alarming regularity is worrisome. Undeniably, even travellers are expected to show airplane bathroom etiquette, but sadly, a few Indians are loathe to observe basic civility, thereby gravely exposing insensitivity. Hygiene is again a minimal requirement that must be respected in a public space. Hopefully, travellers will follow basic norms while flying going ahead.
