Defending junkets

After weeks of squabbling with the Defence Ministry over a new policy, the civil aviation babus have hit on a novel way to iron out differences. In a bid to win over tough Air Force officers who insist on authoritarian control over the country8217;s air space, the babus have suggested a more conducive environment for further negotiations on the policy. Feelers have been sent to Air HQ for a 8220;joint educative tour8221; to study air space management in the US.

With the exchequer paying for the tour, the 8220;thought process8221; for the tour envisages a comprehensive and therefore long list of senior IAF officers and civil aviation babus on a thorough visit of the US. However, the proposal has not been received too enthusiastically by the Air Force. Pumped up after recent war games in which desi pilots came out on a morale-boosting top, the sentinels of the skies believe they can teach the Americans a thing or two about managing air space.