New airport director has his work cut out
The Hindu
Resumption of wide-bodied aircraft operations a major challenge for R. Mahalingam
An uphill task awaits R. Mahalingam, the new Director of the Calicut International Airport, to restore the operation of wide-bodied aircraft, which was suspended after the Air India Express crash in August last year. His predecessor K. Srinivasa Rao, who has been transferred to the Visakhapatnam International Airport as its Director, keenly took interest in recommencing the operation of big aircraft. A special team attached to the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had carried out an examination for the purpose. The August 7 mishap killed 21 people, including both pilots, and injured more than 100 passengers. However, it is learnt that the suspension of the operation of wide-bodied aircraft will continue at the airport till a five-member team of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), probing the Air India Express crash, submits its report.Amid strike by some Loco Pilots, Railways is trying to ensure undisrupted service: Palakkad Division
The Palakkad Division of Southern Railway on Friday, said it was making all efforts to keep trains running in time amid a section of Loco Pilots continuing to strike from work with a demand for a 46-hour periodical rest.
After completing her Class XII a few years ago, Lakshmi Priya from Sivakasi faced financial constraints that prevented her from pursuing higher education. Despite her circumstances, she persevered by folding matchboxes to earn a meagre income. “I have always done this work – folding matchboxes. Many families in Sivakasi and surrounding areas do this work, from home,” said Ms.Priya who is now 19 years old. “I always wanted to learn something related to Computer Science. We did not have a proper teacher for this particular subject at school. But I managed to score 95%,” she said.
Ahead of the southwest monsoon, the officials from multiple departments were directed to carry out the standard operating procedure and ensure that all the parameters were adhered to as per the guidelines issued by the Disaster Management Plan of the Tamil Nadu government, said Theni Collector R.V. Shajeevana here on Friday.