Yes, you heard it right. National carrier Air India issued an advisory on Monday, 4 March, to all its crew members asking them to say ‘Jai Hind’ with a “slight pause and much fervour” after every single announcement that is made.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti slammed the advisory, saying that it was of “little suprise,” ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
While some people on Twitter poked fun of this new rule, some others said that it is “forced nationalism.”
'India Deserves Better’
Senior journalist Malini Parthasarathy tweeted that there was no need to “force feed” national sentiment to Indians. Another Twitter user called the carrier’s move “muscular nationalism.”
Ad filmmaker Ram Subramanian took a jibe, asking people to not forget to salute if they see an aeroplane in the sky.
‘What Is New in This?’
A similar direction was issued to pilots in 2016 under the then Air India Chair and Managing Director Ashwani Lohani. The current advisory is a “reminder” to the staff, in line with the “mood of the nation,” officials told PTI. Twitter, too, was quick to point that out.
‘Private Airlines Should Follow’
A section of Twitter, however, felt that this was a “welcome” change and other private airlines must follow suit.
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