DGCA issues safety guidelines for flying VIPs
The Hindu
Insists on twin-engine aircraft with good operational capability
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued elaborate guidelines to ensure highest standards of safety of aircraft owned by State Governments or other entities used for official/non-official carriage of Central, State and foreign dignitaries.
Acting on the outcome of investigation of accidents/incidents involving such aircraft operations, the aviation watchdog said there was a need for harmonisation of requirements and guidelines. “It is essential that adequate measures are taken by all concerned to ensure the highest standards of safety for operation of such flights,” the DGCA said in a safety advisory.
It said twin-engine aircraft with good operational capability, reliability and easy maintainability characteristics should be used and its operations should be in accordance with the Aircraft Rules and instructions issued from time to time.
Hampi, the UNESCO-recognised historical site, was the capital of the Vijayanagara empire from 1336 to 1565. Foreign travellers from Persia, Europe and other parts of the world have chronicled the wealth of the place and the unique cultural mores of this kingdom built on the banks of the Tungabhadra river. There are fine descriptions to be found of its temples, farms, markets and trading links, remnants of which one can see in the ruins now. The Literature, architecture of this era continue inspire awe.
Unfurling the zine handed to us at the start of the walk, we use brightly-coloured markers to draw squiggly cables across the page, starting from a sepia-toned vintage photograph of the telegraph office. Iz, who goes by the pronouns they/them, explains, “This building is still standing, though it shut down in 2013,” they say, pointing out that telegraphy, which started in Bengaluru in 1854, was an instrument of colonial power and control. “The British colonised lands via telegraph cables, something known as the All Red Line.”
The festival in Bengaluru is happening at various locations, including ATREE in Jakkur, Bangalore Creative Circus in Yeshwantpur, Courtyard Koota in Kengeri, and Medai the Stage in Koramangala. The festival will also take place in various cities across Karnataka including Tumakuru, Ramanagara, Mandya, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Hassan, Chitradurga, Davangere, Chamarajanagar and Mysuru.