All Air India crew from now have to say “Jai Hind” after every in-flight announcement “with much fervour” said an official advisory issued on Monday, 4th March 2019, by Amitabh Singh, Director Operations, Air India, reported Indian Express. This move will come with an immediate effect, and all crew members will have to announce “Jai Hind” after every announcement.
“With immediate effect, all (crew) are required to announce ‘Jai Hind’ at the end of every announcement after a slight pause and much fervour,” said Mr Singh. An official told PTI that the current advisory is a “reminder” to the staff, in line with the “mood of the nation”.
Former Air India Chairman Ashwani Lohani had earlier issued a similar directive to pilots in May 2016. After being criticised by the passengers for the crew’s in-hospitality particularly during flight delays, Lohani had said that being “courteous and polite” to passengers and wearing a smile would be a “good thing”. Lohani in a communication to his staff said that the captain of a flight should ‘connect’ with passengers during the journey. He said, “After the end of the first address, using the words ‘Jai Hind’ would make a tremendous impact” reported India Today. Lohani had also asked the cabin crew to greet the passengers with a Namaskar while on-boarding and de-boarding following the Indian tradition.
In January, the Central government had called back Lohani from retirement to head the cash-strapped national carrier as Chairman and Managing Director for the second time in two years. He was first appointed as Air India Chief from August 2015 to August 2017. After that Lohani held the position of Railway Board Chairman from August 2017 and retired in December 2018.
Netizens Mock
Soon after the announcement, netizens of the country took to Twitter to mock Air India.
Wouldn’t it be more patriotic to sing the national anthem after each announcement? Come on #AirIndia, you can do better. #MondayMotivation #India https://t.co/zR8g1LFilk
— Pathikrit Sen Gupta (@pathikrit2sen) March 4, 2019
Natinal anthem bhi shuru karo aur sabko khada karo aur jab tak sab khade nahi hote no take off. Bewakufo ki kami iss desh mei @airindiain #jaihind #airindia #nationalanthem #hypernationalism #aviation #airlines https://t.co/fMj2fh3dT7
— Faraz® © (@beingFaraz80) March 4, 2019
Few even in a deriding tone said that this step might turn the economic misfortune of the national carrier.
Hope this turns Air India profitable too!
— Captain Tsubasa (@cpt_t88) March 4, 2019
Some used their creative mind to taunt Air India’s move.
No not enough. The crew must also yell “how’s the josh?” Once everybody has boarded. The loudest “high sir” and “jai hind” shall be upgraded to first class.
— Divyank Panwar (@divyank_14) March 4, 2019
The Logical Indian Take
The national carrier should focus on providing a better service to its passengers. To greet its passengers and to announce “Jai Hind” after every announcement is surely a good way to communicate with its passengers. However, one should understand that the punctuality of an aircraft service will spontaneously make it people’s favourite.
Also Read: Indian Government Owes Air India Rs 1146.86 Crore For Chartered Flights: RTI Query
