There are a lot of news items in the media about Air-India’s future and talk of privatization. I wonder and doubt if the Government will find a willing buyer considering all the “baggage” that the airline carries. Even the Civil Aviation Minister has been quoted as saying that they may not be able to find a “bakra”. What a sad state of affairs!!!
I was asked by my wife’s aunt about this move and I quote from her email:
“For people like you, who put in their heart and soul in building a world -class airline that was Air India, at one time -- this decision to wind up must hurt.”
I have, on more than one occasion, stated in my Blog that it is high time, the airline was grounded. So, my reply to her was:
“In my view, the question of closing Air-India requires no discussion. I have for a long time suggested such a move. The airline, as it currently exists, bears no resemblance to the one that I grew up in. Let me elaborate.
We had offices that were established with the basic idea that they would project to the outside world, a vision of India's grandeur. Our building at Nariman Point in Mumbai was iconic. Our offices throughout the world were located in prestigious and well maintained buildings and decorated with Indian art and artifacts which were painstakingly collected over decades.
None of that remains today. Some of them remind me of shabby corridors and rooms with files lying on the floor and passages which are like obstacle races.
Our Regional Heads and Managers projected a great image of the country and it was said that we were the best Ambassadors that the country could hope for.
The interior of aircraft have no character. I don't know if you had traveled in any one of the planes that we flew in the 60s and 70s. They portrayed Indian history and mythology.
The quality of food and drink on board has deteriorated to such an extent that it is impossible to attract the upscale sophisticated travelers. Let me give you an example. Some years ago, Sonia Aunty flew First Class from Delhi to New York and asked for the cheese tray. A plate containing two pieces of cheese was presented to her. In our time, the cheese tray had at least 6 types of foreign cheese.
Manju and I traveled a couple of years later. We are seated in the First Class cabin and I asked for the cheese tray. Guess what, there were 5 wedges of Amul Cheese!!!
The maintenance of aircraft is deferred to save costs. You should see the complaints that Mitali listed when she and family took a trip to India. I took up her complaint with Mr. Rohit Nandan, the then CMD and go absolutely no satisfaction. The enquiry was a complete white wash and in my final email to the CMD, I said “achha chuna lagaya”.
I was so incensed by the results of the enquiry that I went further and ended my email to Mr. Nandan with the following sentences:
“It is true that you have inherited a group of staff who do not - or cannot - understand the true meaning of service and the ones who did understand are now completely de-motivated and demoralized.
What is unacceptable is that there is no accountability. No one is taken to task. Is this because Top Management is impotent or incapable of taking disciplinary action.
I will leave it to you to make the distinction.”
I was not surprised when he did not reply to my email.
Let's look at the financial results. The figures are "fudged". Bills have not been paid to show operating surpluses. For example, Air-India owes the Airports Authority over Rs. 2,000 crores and a recent request to AAI to convert that to equity was flatly turned down. It is well known that the Fueling Companies in India have been asked by Government not to push AI to “pay up” its dues.
In my own experience, I found on two occasions where the staff would not take a decision, even when the complete facts were brought to their attention. In the first instance, the acting Regional Head in New York requested me with folded hands not to press her for a decision and asked that since I was visiting Delhi, that I should take up the issue with the Personnel Department.
Lalit Khosla drove me to the Head Office and we met a senior official in this department who, when presented with the facts, suggested that we go to see the Commercial Director, who in turn suggested that the matter be taken up with the CMD. It was this latter official who finally decided in my favor.
I could go on and on, but simply end by saying that there is no one that I have met who says that he or she is proud to be a staff member of the airline.
Frankly, I will not lose sleep if the airline closes down. It is long overdue.”
Yes, I may not lose sleep if AI is grounded or sold, but the feelings that I have and as I am sure, many of my former colleagues do, would be of complete and utter sorrow. A great airline of which we were so proud does not exist any longer.
