#PlaneCarnival | Aero India 2015 | Sky party ends, metal birds fly away

By Dr Anantha Krishnan M

https://twitter.com/writetake

Photos: A Veeramani

Bengaluru, Feb 22:The metal birds have flown away. Curtains are drawn on Plane Carnival. The 10th edition of Aero India 2015, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 18, concluded at Air Force Station (AFS) Yelahanka today. 

This year’s aerial extravaganza, branded by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) as the biggest ever show being hosted in South Asia, saw a record turn out on all fronts.

The number of visitors, participating nations, foreigndelegations, aircraft on both flying and static display, outdoor exhibits and floor area being used up by various companies -- all saw an increase during this year’s show.

This report appeared on OneIndia on 22 Feb 2015. Full report here: http://bit.ly/1EFqtWq

#PlaneCarnival: Facts & figures of Aero India 2015

Air (oh!) India! Did India’s star product got shunted out to a silly point during air show?

The bribe-taint on the just-concluded Aero India is now getting murkier. This piece of news could give Mr Clean defense minister of India Arakkaparambil Kurian Antony sleepless nights, as it threatens Antony's constant call to embrace and brand home-grown defense products.
Top sources with a leading Bangalore-based Indian company say that their star product did not get the due it ought to have got in the static display area. After the news reports started coming out on the alleged money-for-prime-spot-deal orchestrated by Indian Air Force (IAF) official(s) during the show, sources actively involved with the company’s air show arrangements said that they had suspected some foul play then.
“We are shocked. But we were really annoyed when our products did not get the kind of visibility it merited. Some of us were very suspicious about the allotment of space at the static display area,” sources said.“It was very evident that the preferences were given to foreign companies. One of our best products which came to the show for the first time had to be pushed to an insignificant corner -- almost in the beginning of the chalet area. The best slots were taken away by the chosen ones,” sources said.

When asked why the Company did not bring the matter to the notice of the higher authorities officially, sources said: “We haven’t given any complaints in writing. We did internally raise objections to the kind of treatment we received this time. It was clear that something was amiss. But then considering our position as a company, we couldn’t do much and left the matter at that.”

Journalists no Saints: While the media might have got yet another scam emerging out of Indian defense set-up, this Aero India once again proved that they too are no saints when it came to accepting gifts and goodies. It was a sad picture to see many journos scrambling for the goodies in front of press conference counters. Some journalists were seen struggling to carry home the goods they gathered during the show. While some came with empty bags to stock the cool maals, some ensured that the ever-media-friendly-PR-managers kept their take-ways safe, in some cases when they missed them owing to their ‘pressing engagements.’In the name of Press kits, things have definitely crossed the decency limit. When last heard, a journalist managed to collect 14 different types of pen drives this time!
Shamelsss Babus: If journos always ‘live up’ to their expectations, what’s more rattling is how MoD babus too are increasingly becoming a ‘gifted lot.’ During every show, one could see how MoD babus roam around with their assistants, carrying bags overflowing with gifts. The joke that goes around Bangalore-based defense establishments is that there’s a standing instruction given to all that a certain number of carry bags with gifts must reach the babus without fail.
Gift India 2013? Going by the scams and mad rush for goodies, it is worth to think of a new name for the air show from the next edition. While Aero India has become a very common name, why not call it as Gift India 2013? While it is near impossible to clean-up Journalism and Babudom – a heady cocktail that can take anyone for an endless spin -- what can be done, is, to put in place a code of ethics to Indian and foreign companies while dealing with the press.
Gifts should be banned. Companies should just provide a brochure and a CD with photos\videos, if need be. That’s all and nothing else. It’s a shame if a journalist can’t get his\her own pen and notepad.
Amidst all this mess, Antony informed the Lok Sabha on March 7 that the size of the show in 2011 was much larger compared to the show conducted in the year 2009, on account of participation of civil aviation sector.While it is great to know that Aero India is growing, it is a matter of great concern that this growth is at the cost of suppressing home-grown products, if the latest media revelations are to be believed.
There are some rotten apples in the system bringing bad name to Indian defense establishment and it is definitely unfair to blame the responsibility entirely on Mr Antony. But, it is appalling that the scam chart of MoD is slowly, but steadily getting very active again. And, even Mr Antony might agree with this point! If he does, then he must act.
While various agencies are investigating the bribe episode at the air show, it is left to be seen whether similar incidents occurred even during previous editions of Aero India also. Will one link lead to another? Only time will tell.
Amen.

T  R  U  T  H,   M A T T E R S

(The opinion expressed through this editorial column on Tarmak007
has nothing to do with the publication[s] the blogger write for.)

Update # 14: Wg Cdr Jetly's wife meets Air Chief's wife

Shalini Jetly, widow of Wg Cdr Vikas Jetly met the wife of Indian Air Force chief seeking justice. Family sources tell Tarmak007 that Shalini Jetly met the chief's wife, who is also the head of Air Force Wives' Welfare Association with the hope that she would get a teaching job at The Air Force School. "The meeting lasted for 30 minutes at the AFWWA office and we pray that something should happen now. We are told that all the papers relating to his dues have been moved finally. It might take some more time,"  family sources said.

Big, bigger & biggest! 675 exhibitors, 45 countries @ Aero India

By Wg Cdr T.K. Singha VSM, Indian Air Force PRO,

Ministry of Defense, New Delhi

The 8th edition of Aero India, being held in Bengaluru from February 9 to 13, 2011, is expected to surpass all previous editions of the premiere air show in terms of participation and volume. Organised by the Ministry of Defence and managed by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Air Show will be inaugurated by the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony on February 9, at Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bengaluru. 

675 exhibitors from 45 countries will showcase their aerospace merchandise and products.  Despite an eleven-fold increase in gross display area from its debut in 1998, every available inch of space has been taken up by exhibitors, say the organisers. Official delegations from 45 countries are also expected at the airshow. 

The show aims at bringing under one roof, exhibitors and other stakeholders from all around the globe to showcase the best in aviation and related technologies and products. 

Civil aviation has been introduced in Aero India 2011 along with Aerospace sector and comprises 55 percent participation of the exhibition. Aero India 2011 will showcase the latest international technologies in the field of military and civil aircraft, vital components for aircraft engines, avionics systems and sub-systems, airfield radars in the defence and aerospace sectors.  

Country wise participation of top eight countries includes USA, France, Germany, UK, Russia, Italy, Belgium and Israel. A total of 93 domestic and international aircraft will participate in Aero India 2011. The expected number of business visitors is 70,000, double from the last edition.  

Karnataka Government, which has earmarked over 900 acres of area near the Bengaluru International airport to develop aerospace industries, is participating as an exhibitor for the first time.

The organizers estimate 1,75,000 general visitors, a growth of 29 percent over the last Aero India in 2009.  Air Display Viewing Area (ADVA) has been significantly increased to cater to growing number of the public viewers. The air displays will be held twice daily between 1000-1230 hrs and 1430-1700 hrs.

Apart from the daily displays by IAF’s Surya Kiran aerobatic team and Sarang helicopter display team, a major attraction at Aero India 2011, will be the debut by Flying Bulls Aerobatics Team at the air show. With its precise and impressive performances, the team has managed to secure a fixed place in the global aerobatics scene and has an outstanding international reputation.

Welcome to Yelahanka. Your place on Earth, next week!

(Note from blogger: The masthead of Tarmak007 would continue to sport the Justice for Jetly campaign theme, even during the Aero India season. First-time visitors may please read the campaign details by searching previous posts. The blogger and colleagues from the Bangalore Media would step-up the Justice for Jetly campaign during all official press meets to be addressed by the stars from the South Block.)