Dear friends,
this blog was published on 24th October, 09. Since then, we have received support of 157 friends who have become followers of this blog, and we already have an average of 237 hits a day (you can check sitemeter at the bottom of this page). By any means this is a good score, but let us face it friends.. We are not here to improve statistics, we are here for a reason.. We need active input from everyone so that when we call out to media for their aid we have something to show them.. Please put your comments here.. Please remember, EVERY COMMENT COUNTS AS A VOTE..
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
FACTS
Dear friends,
Check out the latest report on MiG crashes by Presley Thomas, Hindustan Times.
IAF’s vulnerable spot
Presley Thomas, Hindustan Times
Mumbai, November 02, 2009
First Published: 00:26 IST(2/11/2009)
Last Updated: 00:28 IST(2/11/2009)
In 1963, when for the first time two MiG 21s crashed in Ambala, human error and lack of training facilities were held responsible for the accident.
When on October 23 this year an MiG 27 crashed at New Jalpaiguri, about 600 km north of Kolkata, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and ministry of defence (MoD) ordered a court of inquiry — a routine practice followed after any mishap.
The MiG, which has become the mainstay of India’s airpower, has also been a cause of worry as it has crashed regularly since the 1960s, around when it was acquired.
Reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) suggest that the IAF has lost more than 400 MiGs since the aircraft was inducted, apart from trained fighter pilots.
While the MiG-25, an MiG variant, has been phased out, the remaining of the MiGs — MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27 and MiG-29 — will continue to remain in service at least for the next 15 years.
“India has no choice but to stay with the MiGs (MiG 21 Bisons, MiG-27 and MiG-29),” said former air vice-marshal Kapil Kak, founding additional director of the Air Power Studies in New Delhi. “Light combat aircraft (LCA) was promised in 1995. Had it been on track, we would not have faced these problems. We are paying the price for wanting to be self-reliant, to produce our own aircraft, with blood,” Kak added.
More than 160 fighter pilots have died flying MiGs — and almost all have been killed during training sorties. This has earned the MiG the description “flying coffin” or “widow maker”.
The government has constituted at least six committees with the one headed by APJ Abdul Kalam, who later became the country’s President, being the first to study aspects of flight safety in the IAF, and provide recommendations to improve the record in that respect.
The report, which has not been made public, analysed 213 accidents between 1977 and 1982, and had recommended advanced jet trainers, a technical training school and an inspectorate directorate, IAF sources say.
While the Committee dealt mainly with training aspects and accidents with special emphasis on accidents related to human error, five other committees were constituted to study the mishaps.
The CAG in its report of 1998 noted that all the recommendations of the Committee headed by Kalam, including the change in training patterns, had been accepted and implemented. The same had been done for other committees, which also studied technical problems and accidents.
The CAG noted that from 1991 to 1997 there were 187 accidents in which the IAF lost 147 fighter jets and 63 pilots. It also stated that the facilities for training pilots in the IAF were far from satisfactory. While the basic trainers were defective and unreliable, trainee pilots had to practise on operational jet fighters in the absence of advanced jet trainers.
The CAG stated that training equipment like flight simulators, computer-based tools and hot shot training aid were either not operational or had not been acquired.
A decade later the CAG in its report 2008-09 said that the IAF could finalise procuring the trainer aircraft in 2004 although there was need for it early as 1982. It further stated that the delay in acquiring these trainer aircraft had impacted pilot training adversely as the aircraft, besides being vital for air safety, was considered essential for improving the skills of IAF pilots.
The ministry of defence in December last year stated that the problem of lack of enough trainer aircraft was mitigated by the increased intensity of supervision by flying instructors. But the CAG audit, however, noticed that 101 of the 259 aircraft lost between 1992 and 2003 met with accidents because of human error.
The crashes have affected the IAF in terms of its squadrons. Of a total sanction of 39 squadrons, the IAF to date operates with just 31. The fast-depleting fleet of the IAF has been a cause of worry because the indigenous light combat aircraft (LCA) is still far from being operational and the multi-million medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) deal that India vies for has not yet been finalised.
Check out the latest report on MiG crashes by Presley Thomas, Hindustan Times.
IAF’s vulnerable spot
Presley Thomas, Hindustan Times
Mumbai, November 02, 2009
First Published: 00:26 IST(2/11/2009)
Last Updated: 00:28 IST(2/11/2009)
In 1963, when for the first time two MiG 21s crashed in Ambala, human error and lack of training facilities were held responsible for the accident.
When on October 23 this year an MiG 27 crashed at New Jalpaiguri, about 600 km north of Kolkata, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and ministry of defence (MoD) ordered a court of inquiry — a routine practice followed after any mishap.
The MiG, which has become the mainstay of India’s airpower, has also been a cause of worry as it has crashed regularly since the 1960s, around when it was acquired.
Reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) suggest that the IAF has lost more than 400 MiGs since the aircraft was inducted, apart from trained fighter pilots.
While the MiG-25, an MiG variant, has been phased out, the remaining of the MiGs — MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27 and MiG-29 — will continue to remain in service at least for the next 15 years.
“India has no choice but to stay with the MiGs (MiG 21 Bisons, MiG-27 and MiG-29),” said former air vice-marshal Kapil Kak, founding additional director of the Air Power Studies in New Delhi. “Light combat aircraft (LCA) was promised in 1995. Had it been on track, we would not have faced these problems. We are paying the price for wanting to be self-reliant, to produce our own aircraft, with blood,” Kak added.
More than 160 fighter pilots have died flying MiGs — and almost all have been killed during training sorties. This has earned the MiG the description “flying coffin” or “widow maker”.
The government has constituted at least six committees with the one headed by APJ Abdul Kalam, who later became the country’s President, being the first to study aspects of flight safety in the IAF, and provide recommendations to improve the record in that respect.
The report, which has not been made public, analysed 213 accidents between 1977 and 1982, and had recommended advanced jet trainers, a technical training school and an inspectorate directorate, IAF sources say.
While the Committee dealt mainly with training aspects and accidents with special emphasis on accidents related to human error, five other committees were constituted to study the mishaps.
The CAG in its report of 1998 noted that all the recommendations of the Committee headed by Kalam, including the change in training patterns, had been accepted and implemented. The same had been done for other committees, which also studied technical problems and accidents.
The CAG noted that from 1991 to 1997 there were 187 accidents in which the IAF lost 147 fighter jets and 63 pilots. It also stated that the facilities for training pilots in the IAF were far from satisfactory. While the basic trainers were defective and unreliable, trainee pilots had to practise on operational jet fighters in the absence of advanced jet trainers.
The CAG stated that training equipment like flight simulators, computer-based tools and hot shot training aid were either not operational or had not been acquired.
A decade later the CAG in its report 2008-09 said that the IAF could finalise procuring the trainer aircraft in 2004 although there was need for it early as 1982. It further stated that the delay in acquiring these trainer aircraft had impacted pilot training adversely as the aircraft, besides being vital for air safety, was considered essential for improving the skills of IAF pilots.
The ministry of defence in December last year stated that the problem of lack of enough trainer aircraft was mitigated by the increased intensity of supervision by flying instructors. But the CAG audit, however, noticed that 101 of the 259 aircraft lost between 1992 and 2003 met with accidents because of human error.
The crashes have affected the IAF in terms of its squadrons. Of a total sanction of 39 squadrons, the IAF to date operates with just 31. The fast-depleting fleet of the IAF has been a cause of worry because the indigenous light combat aircraft (LCA) is still far from being operational and the multi-million medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) deal that India vies for has not yet been finalised.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Dear Citizens of India,
Many people have discarded this campaign as a mere emotional beckoning on part of some people who mourn the personal loss of Manu Akhouri. They have also questioned us about the real motif of running this campaign. What difference is it going to make? Is it going to prevent any more precious lives from being lost? Is it, in any way possible, going to change the way our authorities have handled the very sensitive issue of these MiG-21 we have now crowned ‘Flying Coffins’? Is it ever going to change the mindsets of people? Is it ever going to jerk people out of the numbness they have accepted as their fate?
The answer is Yes. It is the mindset that binds us, not circumstances. Let us just ask ourselves, why can’t we raise a voice and ask the authorities to LISTEN TO US? Why can’t we demand an answer from the people who have been CHOSEN BY US to run this nation? Why can’t we ask them to honor people like Flt. Lt. Manu Akhouri, who has found a place in our hearts as OUR HERO? This is our country, and the most shameful of all deeds is to abandon our duties as responsible citizens.
The clichéd statements that come out of us as sighs at every such unfortunate incident are a living proof of our guilt- ‘this country is going to dogs’ or ‘things are never going to change around here’. Let us ask ourselves- how many of us really have regards for our social duties? How many of us have written a single letter to the editor of some newspaper concerning an issue? How many of us have felt a surge of patriotism on an occasion other than having watched ‘Rang De Basanti’? How many of us have protested a beating of a wife in our neighborhood? How many of us have taken the benefit of that power imparted to us by the Govt. of India which is called the Right to Information? How many of us have ever used their right to vote? Why haven’t we? Why don’t we? How can we blame the system to be corrupt when we, the people of India, have never bothered to collectively raise a voice against it?
Our media is negative, because inspite of holding potential power in its hands, it does not have the active support of people. See what was done to Flt. Lt. Manu Akhouri? How many of us knew Manu Akhouri through media? And how many were interested in knowing the story of yet another pilot who lost his life in a MiG-21 crash? Not many, we must confess. Flt. Lt. Akhouri would have got at least a decent timeslot on the Prime Time had he fallen in war. Can’t we see where this leads? Our sentiments are aroused by the contemporary issues, but this arousal is temporary. Every time a MiG-21 falls, we get angry, blame our politicians and finally settle down in our lives. Going to office, killing time, coming back home, visiting malls, watching movies… most of us don’t consider ourselves capable of bringing about a change.
Every time a man stands up for a cause, he can distinctively be seen. Why? Because he is alone. The people around him are either too scared, or too busy to stand up with him. Scared of what? Busy with what?
This blog is For Manu Akhouri. But it belongs to us. Flt. Lt. Manu Akhouri gave it all, and it is now our turn. We have taken it upon ourselves to pay our dues to him. We request all those who have taken the initiative to visit this blog and put their comments on it to join hands. This blog is NOT a place to mourn Manu Akhouri’s death. It is to celebrate his life, and his courage. Like one of our friends commented ‘A true soldier never gives up, and he never dies‘- we celebrate the immortality of Manu Akhouri. Please let the issue be known among your friends, in your neighborhood, in your office and gather support. Once we all stand together, we can share any burden. The burden on our souls that has been haunting us for not being able to do anything.
Let us not stare up and sigh- ‘Manu, we wish we had half the courage you had’. Let us salute him and say proudly- ‘Manu, we did our bit.’
Many people have discarded this campaign as a mere emotional beckoning on part of some people who mourn the personal loss of Manu Akhouri. They have also questioned us about the real motif of running this campaign. What difference is it going to make? Is it going to prevent any more precious lives from being lost? Is it, in any way possible, going to change the way our authorities have handled the very sensitive issue of these MiG-21 we have now crowned ‘Flying Coffins’? Is it ever going to change the mindsets of people? Is it ever going to jerk people out of the numbness they have accepted as their fate?
The answer is Yes. It is the mindset that binds us, not circumstances. Let us just ask ourselves, why can’t we raise a voice and ask the authorities to LISTEN TO US? Why can’t we demand an answer from the people who have been CHOSEN BY US to run this nation? Why can’t we ask them to honor people like Flt. Lt. Manu Akhouri, who has found a place in our hearts as OUR HERO? This is our country, and the most shameful of all deeds is to abandon our duties as responsible citizens.
The clichéd statements that come out of us as sighs at every such unfortunate incident are a living proof of our guilt- ‘this country is going to dogs’ or ‘things are never going to change around here’. Let us ask ourselves- how many of us really have regards for our social duties? How many of us have written a single letter to the editor of some newspaper concerning an issue? How many of us have felt a surge of patriotism on an occasion other than having watched ‘Rang De Basanti’? How many of us have protested a beating of a wife in our neighborhood? How many of us have taken the benefit of that power imparted to us by the Govt. of India which is called the Right to Information? How many of us have ever used their right to vote? Why haven’t we? Why don’t we? How can we blame the system to be corrupt when we, the people of India, have never bothered to collectively raise a voice against it?
Our media is negative, because inspite of holding potential power in its hands, it does not have the active support of people. See what was done to Flt. Lt. Manu Akhouri? How many of us knew Manu Akhouri through media? And how many were interested in knowing the story of yet another pilot who lost his life in a MiG-21 crash? Not many, we must confess. Flt. Lt. Akhouri would have got at least a decent timeslot on the Prime Time had he fallen in war. Can’t we see where this leads? Our sentiments are aroused by the contemporary issues, but this arousal is temporary. Every time a MiG-21 falls, we get angry, blame our politicians and finally settle down in our lives. Going to office, killing time, coming back home, visiting malls, watching movies… most of us don’t consider ourselves capable of bringing about a change.
Every time a man stands up for a cause, he can distinctively be seen. Why? Because he is alone. The people around him are either too scared, or too busy to stand up with him. Scared of what? Busy with what?
This blog is For Manu Akhouri. But it belongs to us. Flt. Lt. Manu Akhouri gave it all, and it is now our turn. We have taken it upon ourselves to pay our dues to him. We request all those who have taken the initiative to visit this blog and put their comments on it to join hands. This blog is NOT a place to mourn Manu Akhouri’s death. It is to celebrate his life, and his courage. Like one of our friends commented ‘A true soldier never gives up, and he never dies‘- we celebrate the immortality of Manu Akhouri. Please let the issue be known among your friends, in your neighborhood, in your office and gather support. Once we all stand together, we can share any burden. The burden on our souls that has been haunting us for not being able to do anything.
Let us not stare up and sigh- ‘Manu, we wish we had half the courage you had’. Let us salute him and say proudly- ‘Manu, we did our bit.’
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Dear Citizens of India,
On September 10, 2009, Flt. Lt. Manu Akhouri took off in his MiG-21 from the Air Force station, Bhisiana in Bathinda district in the afternoon for a routine training sortie. While flying over the village of Bhalaina, his plane developed a technical snag and caught fire, leaving him with the last resort to bail out and save his life.
He didn’t. Eyewitnesses say that the plane was steered away from populated areas by the pilot, saving villagers from the mishap. He then maneuvered his plane towards the fields for a crash landing. He still had time to bail out. At the same time a bus appeared on the Bathinda-Muktsar main road. Apparently to avert accident with the vehicle, the plane was seen to veer away, and Flt. Lt. Akhouri lost his battle with death at last, hitting a tree. The jet was blown to pieces. His body was found in the fields , with the unopened parachute lying beside him.
Flt. Lt. Manu Akhouri was the fifth to lose his life this year in a MiG- 21 mishap. He was one of the most skilled pilots of his batch, and was among the selected fighter pilots of IAF who were sent to UK to receive training for the soon to be acquired Hawk fighter jets.
He was 24 years old, with his whole life lying in front of him. His one decision could turn fate the other way round, and keep his dreams safe.
He chose to die doing his duty.
Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal, Finance Minister, Punjab has requested the Government of India that highest civilian awards like Padma Visbhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shree be conferred posthumously upon Flt. Lt. Akhouri, for showing exemplary courage in saving many lives and public property, and sacrificing his precious life serving the cause of humanity. He has also urged the Chief Minister of Punjab and the Chief secretary Punjab to consider Flt. Lt. Akhouri for State and other gallantry awards.
The indebted villagers of Bhalaina have decided to rename the school in their village after Flt. Lt. Manu Akhouri. There is a bus stand called Shaheed Manu Akhouri bus stand.
It is not certain whether he would get this award or not.. it is possible that like hundreds of other unsung heroes, his final act is forgotten with time. And the frequency with which the news of MiG-21 crashes appears, there is a great possibility that he turns into a mere number on the list.
This is what we can change. We should come together to honor the courage of a young boy, who put his duty first and died saving the lives of his fellow countrymen. Mr. Badal has made a sincere request to the Govt. of India to honor Flt. Lt. Akhouri, and with the example he has set, he is bound to get what he deserves. But what is more important is that he should be known among the people of his country as a martyr, not as just another curve in the statistics. He should be remembered by the masses as the hero who had the right values inculcated in him by his worthy parents, which led him to do what he did for his country. Be it wartime or peace, the true duty of a soldier is to defend his countrymen. And having done just that, Manu Akhouri deserves every bit of respect as deserved by bravehearts who make supreme sacrifices in the battlefield.
If you, as responsible citizens of this country, feel that you owe something to Flt. Lt. Manu Akhouri and many other bravehearts like him , please contribute just half a minute of your time to pay tribute to him.
Kindly leave a comment, supporting our cause, that Manu Akhouri must be honored for his valor. The more positive responses we get, the stronger becomes the belief that we are the ones who shall decide who our real heroes are. Please forward the link to this blog to as many people , and make the issue known to as many people as possible.
Related Links:
MiG-21 crash kills pilot
MiG-21 crashes, kills young pilot
IAF begins probe in MiG-21 crash
Flying Lt. Manu Akhauri needs to be suitably honored
Orkut Users can pay tribute to Flt. Lt. Akhouri on his orkut profile :
http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#Profile?uid=6341896500243658874
NEW : dated 27.10.2009
Dear friends, it has been heart warming to see your response to this small effort. We started with a hope to involve people who could raise a voice for the young man in whose name we speak.
We have no big connections, no special friends in the bureaucratic system. We only rely on the support of our people, our fellow Indians.
We extend an appeal to you to register your support (make a comment) at least once on the blog with your name, and the place you are from (if possible). We also ask for your help in this cause. Please let the issue be known among your friends, your social circle, your aquaintances or even strangers who care to listen..
We need your advice on this campaign, how to take it to the next level.. Please give your ideas and suggestions regarding the promotion of this cause.
This blog belongs to everyone of you- you are the owners and responsible keepers of this blog, because you are helping it grow. Every comment counts as a vote, Please spread the word.
Updated: 28.10.2009
we found some links related to the Mig-21 issue:
IAF claims reduction in Mig-21 accident rate
MiG-21 replacement likely to stay on tarmac
Old MiG-21 phaseout hit by fighter jet shortage
A 2002 article about MiG crashes-
MiG Accidents - Causes and Remedies
On September 10, 2009, Flt. Lt. Manu Akhouri took off in his MiG-21 from the Air Force station, Bhisiana in Bathinda district in the afternoon for a routine training sortie. While flying over the village of Bhalaina, his plane developed a technical snag and caught fire, leaving him with the last resort to bail out and save his life.
He didn’t. Eyewitnesses say that the plane was steered away from populated areas by the pilot, saving villagers from the mishap. He then maneuvered his plane towards the fields for a crash landing. He still had time to bail out. At the same time a bus appeared on the Bathinda-Muktsar main road. Apparently to avert accident with the vehicle, the plane was seen to veer away, and Flt. Lt. Akhouri lost his battle with death at last, hitting a tree. The jet was blown to pieces. His body was found in the fields , with the unopened parachute lying beside him.
Flt. Lt. Manu Akhouri was the fifth to lose his life this year in a MiG- 21 mishap. He was one of the most skilled pilots of his batch, and was among the selected fighter pilots of IAF who were sent to UK to receive training for the soon to be acquired Hawk fighter jets.
He was 24 years old, with his whole life lying in front of him. His one decision could turn fate the other way round, and keep his dreams safe.
He chose to die doing his duty.
Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal, Finance Minister, Punjab has requested the Government of India that highest civilian awards like Padma Visbhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shree be conferred posthumously upon Flt. Lt. Akhouri, for showing exemplary courage in saving many lives and public property, and sacrificing his precious life serving the cause of humanity. He has also urged the Chief Minister of Punjab and the Chief secretary Punjab to consider Flt. Lt. Akhouri for State and other gallantry awards.
The indebted villagers of Bhalaina have decided to rename the school in their village after Flt. Lt. Manu Akhouri. There is a bus stand called Shaheed Manu Akhouri bus stand.
It is not certain whether he would get this award or not.. it is possible that like hundreds of other unsung heroes, his final act is forgotten with time. And the frequency with which the news of MiG-21 crashes appears, there is a great possibility that he turns into a mere number on the list.
This is what we can change. We should come together to honor the courage of a young boy, who put his duty first and died saving the lives of his fellow countrymen. Mr. Badal has made a sincere request to the Govt. of India to honor Flt. Lt. Akhouri, and with the example he has set, he is bound to get what he deserves. But what is more important is that he should be known among the people of his country as a martyr, not as just another curve in the statistics. He should be remembered by the masses as the hero who had the right values inculcated in him by his worthy parents, which led him to do what he did for his country. Be it wartime or peace, the true duty of a soldier is to defend his countrymen. And having done just that, Manu Akhouri deserves every bit of respect as deserved by bravehearts who make supreme sacrifices in the battlefield.
If you, as responsible citizens of this country, feel that you owe something to Flt. Lt. Manu Akhouri and many other bravehearts like him , please contribute just half a minute of your time to pay tribute to him.
Kindly leave a comment, supporting our cause, that Manu Akhouri must be honored for his valor. The more positive responses we get, the stronger becomes the belief that we are the ones who shall decide who our real heroes are. Please forward the link to this blog to as many people , and make the issue known to as many people as possible.
Related Links:
MiG-21 crash kills pilot
MiG-21 crashes, kills young pilot
IAF begins probe in MiG-21 crash
Flying Lt. Manu Akhauri needs to be suitably honored
Orkut Users can pay tribute to Flt. Lt. Akhouri on his orkut profile :
http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#Profile?uid=6341896500243658874
NEW : dated 27.10.2009
Dear friends, it has been heart warming to see your response to this small effort. We started with a hope to involve people who could raise a voice for the young man in whose name we speak.
We have no big connections, no special friends in the bureaucratic system. We only rely on the support of our people, our fellow Indians.
We extend an appeal to you to register your support (make a comment) at least once on the blog with your name, and the place you are from (if possible). We also ask for your help in this cause. Please let the issue be known among your friends, your social circle, your aquaintances or even strangers who care to listen..
We need your advice on this campaign, how to take it to the next level.. Please give your ideas and suggestions regarding the promotion of this cause.
This blog belongs to everyone of you- you are the owners and responsible keepers of this blog, because you are helping it grow. Every comment counts as a vote, Please spread the word.
Updated: 28.10.2009
we found some links related to the Mig-21 issue:
IAF claims reduction in Mig-21 accident rate
MiG-21 replacement likely to stay on tarmac
Old MiG-21 phaseout hit by fighter jet shortage
A 2002 article about MiG crashes-
MiG Accidents - Causes and Remedies
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