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This is an archive article published on January 30, 2006

A-I to outsource disaster management

In a move aimed at improving its response for handling contingencies and providing greater succour to aircraft accident victims, Air-India i...

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In a move aimed at improving its response for handling contingencies and providing greater succour to aircraft accident victims, Air-India is planning to get into a retainership arrangement with a private player for handling disaster management and providing family assistance plan for aircrash victims.

The move comes after a recent directive by the US Department of Transport and the JFK Airport making it mandatory for all airlines operating in US airspace to have an effective Disaster Management and Family Assistance Plan.

8216;8216;Air-India intends to set up an arrangement with a reputed firm dealing with Disaster Management and Family Assistance Plan which has the necessary resources, experienced and trained manpower, equipment and infrastructure in readiness for responding quickly to accidents involving our aircraft,8221; an Air-India spokesperson said.

This service will, however, be restricted only to Air India8217;s operations in the US.

The airline does not have any plans of bringing this concept to India. Disaster management in India is generally carried out by airlines in association with governmental agencies. There are no private players operating in this business locally.

As part of the arrangement, the firm will have to provide services like search and recovery of remains, mortuary operations including identification and processing of remains, provision of caskets, coffins or urns and repatriation, shipping and final disposition of remains.

Globally there are special dedicated set-ups which specialise in helping accident victims and providing them counselling. However, there is a lack of such organisations locally, according to industry watchers.

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The retained organisation will also have to provide immediate and long-term counselling and psychological support programme for the families of the victims, co-ordinate with government authorities and humanitarian organisations like Red Cross and also provide arrangement for DNA identification services.

Zeeshan Shaikh is the Associate Editor who heads The Indian Express' Mumbai reporting team. He is recognized for his highly specialized Expertise in analyzing the complex dynamics of Maharashtra politics and critical minority issues, providing in-depth, nuanced, and Trustworthy reports. Expertise  Senior Editorial Role: As an Associate Editor leading the Mumbai reporting team, Zeeshan Shaikh holds a position of significant Authority and journalistic responsibility at a leading national newspaper. Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on two interconnected, high-impact areas: Maharashtra Politics & Urban Power Structures: Provides deep-dive analyses into political strategies, municipal elections (e.g., BMC polls), the history of alliances (e.g., Shiv Sena's shifting partners), and the changing demographics that influence civic power in Mumbai. Minority Issues and Socio-Political Trends: Excels in coverage of the Muslim community's representation in power, demographic shifts, socio-economic challenges, and the historical context of sensitive political and cultural issues (e.g., the 'Vande Mataram' debate's roots in the BMC). Investigative Depth: His articles frequently delve into the historical roots and contemporary consequences of major events, ranging from the rise of extremist groups in specific villages (e.g., Borivali-Padgha) to the long-term collapse of established political parties (e.g., Congress in Mumbai). Trustworthiness & Credibility Data-Driven Analysis: Zeeshan's work often incorporates empirical data, such as National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics on arrests and convictions of minorities, or data on asset growth of politicians, grounding his reports in factual evidence. Focus on Hinterland Issues: While based in Mumbai, he maintains a wide lens, covering issues affecting the state's hinterlands, including water crises, infrastructure delays, and the plight of marginalized communities (e.g., manual scavengers). Institutional Affiliation: His senior position at The Indian Express—a publication known for its tradition of rigorous political and investigative journalism—underscores the high level of editorial vetting and Trustworthiness of his reports. He tweets @zeeshansahafi ... Read More

 

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