A tribute to my dear friend Tittu

By: Subhadeep Bhattacharjee

Twenty years ago I had met you when we both were in the nursery class of St. Thomas School. Little did I know you will be one of the best friends in my life. The world always considered you a rebel who did not want to do things the conventional way but at the end of the day you were a friend to many of us. A friend whose friendship we took pride and a friend who would always answer to our call.

The news your untimely death has left a vacuum in our lives. As the world celebrated Friendships Day we mourned the death of a buddy who grew along with us. I just can’t stop recalling those joyous moments of our lives which we spent together. The days when we grew up together will always be fresh in my minds The naught act of childhood and the pranks of teenage will always be remind me you.

The days come back to my mind when all our attempts to teach you the game of cricket failed. The sight of you bunking school to steal oranges and peaches will bring a smile on my face for ever. You might have troubled many neighbours with your never ending pranks but the same people will today mourn your untimely death.

Never will you be there with us in our moments of joy. Never will you be there to entertain us with your unique sense of humour. Everything will still be the same and life will go on as normal as it should but there will be the absence of a unique character in our lives. You will certainly be watching us from distance but your absence will leave emptiness in our lives.

Death may have snatched you from us but your friendship will always be a prized possession in my life. I will cherish those memories for years to come, relive them and enjoy the joyous moment we spent together. Wherever you are my friend may you find all pleasure and happiness that has been denied to you in your short span of life here Life would always been a lesser thing had I not come across a character like you. My dear friend may your soul rest in peace.

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Private Airlines hold Govt. to ransom

By: Subhadeep Bhattacharjee

The proposed suspension of operations by the private airlines on August 18 demanding a bailout of the industry has come as a shocker to the government. This is for the first time that an entire industry had rebelled against the system. The private airlines union is holding the government to ransom demanding bailout in the form of lowering the sales tax on fuel and airport taxes.

The private airlines comprising Kingfisher, Kingfisher Red, Jet Airways, Jetlite, IndiGo, Go Air and Spice Jet which operate 1200 domestic flights against Air India’s 300 will have their entire fleet grounded unless the government meets their demands. Interestingly premium private carrier Paramount Airways has decided to continue with its operation on the proposed strike day. The government on its part is against any such bailout package to the industry.

The question now arises is should the government try to bail out the industry? The answer should be a straight NO. Why should tax payer’s money be used to bail out profit making business ventures? Many people in the lowest end of the tax bracket still cannot afford flying so why should their tax money be used to bail out the business of some of the countries richest industrialists. Every industry is facing the music due to the market downturn so why any exceptions should be made for the airline industry?

India’s aviation boom started in the new millennium with many new players entering the market. Many of them ran their operations in loss to grab the market. New planes were ordered and leased assessing future market demands. All was going well until the market downturn came. Airline still being considered a luxury industry in India was one of the worst effected industries. But still this is no argument to hold the country to a ransom in the name of a bailout?

Public money has more worthy projects waiting for it in a country where one third of the population lives below the poverty line. The same airline industry which is calling for a bailout won’t pay much attention to Corporate Social Responsibility when the market is on a boom. So why should the tax payer’s money be used to bail out rich men’s businesses at the cost of money being invested in the social sector?

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