News for 'Special Air India'

'You Can Hear Her Parents Cry Bitterly In The Night'

'You Can Hear Her Parents Cry Bitterly In The Night'

Rediff.com17 Jun 2025

'They are in a very bad state. They have to be forced into eating.'

Air India to promote yoga mid-air

Air India to promote yoga mid-air

Rediff.com18 Jun 2015

The state-run carrier Air India will on June 21 show a film on yoga across its flights, along with a special in-flight announcement.

Why Air Indias' privatisation sailed & BPCL's is dragging on

Why Air Indias' privatisation sailed & BPCL's is dragging on

Rediff.com19 Dec 2021

Changing tracks helps. But, not taking the beaten path isn't always helpful. This is the story of two of India's biggest privatisations - Air India and Bharat Petroleum (BPCL). Nearly two decades after the last privatisation, a landmark divestment concluded this year when the loss-making national carrier Air India was sold to the Tatas.

'Why Would A Pilot Go And Touch The Switch?'

'Why Would A Pilot Go And Touch The Switch?'

Rediff.com14 Jul 2025

'The switch can't be shut off by an accidental brush of the hand, but needs effort, conscious physical action to operate it.' 'Was it the software of the aeroplane that caused the switch to turn off?' 'Was it the hardware of the aeroplane?' 'Was it both software and hardware put together?'

When India Threatened Lahore To Stop Pakistan's Moves In J&K

When India Threatened Lahore To Stop Pakistan's Moves In J&K

Rediff.com28 May 2025

In what was perhaps the most critical meeting before full-scale war broke out, Shastri defined India's immediate war objectives to his defence minister, army, and air force chiefs: 'To defend against Pakistan's attempts to grab Kashmir by force and to make it abundantly clear that Pakistan would never be allowed to wrest Kashmir from India; To destroy the offensive power of Pakistan's armed forces...' A fascinating excerpt from Shiv Kunal Verma's must-read 1965: A Western Sunrise India's War With Pakistan.

India counters Pak's actions, strikes 8 military installations

India counters Pak's actions, strikes 8 military installations

Rediff.com10 May 2025

Pakistani military targets at Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur and Chunian were engaged using air-launched precision weapons from Indian fighter jets and the retaliation largely focused on command and control centres, radar sites and weapon storage areas, Qureshi said.

Govt has prepared revival plan for Air India

Govt has prepared revival plan for Air India

Rediff.com27 Dec 2018

Air India has planned to monetise its unutilised and surplus immovable real estate assets over the next few years.

Tatas top bidder for Air India, but no govt nod yet

Tatas top bidder for Air India, but no govt nod yet

Rediff.com1 Oct 2021

Tata Sons has emerged as the top bidder for the takeover of debt-laden State-run airline Air India but the bid is yet to be approved by a group of ministers headed by Home Minister Amit Shah, sources said.

Pakistan's Evil Designs: What India Must Do!

Pakistan's Evil Designs: What India Must Do!

Rediff.com26 May 2025

'Will this near-war, India's strongest military response so far, buy India another seven years of deterrence?' asks Shekhar Gupta.

Celebration cut short: Woman's birthday journey ends in tragedy

Celebration cut short: Woman's birthday journey ends in tragedy

Rediff.com14 Jun 2025

For Harpreet, a 28-year-old IT professional working in Bengaluru, the journey to London was meant to be a joyous reunion as her husband, Robbie Hora, also an IT professional, awaited her arrival there.

Operation Sindoor: Why Was ISI HQ Not Targeted?

Operation Sindoor: Why Was ISI HQ Not Targeted?

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

What was the aim of Operation Sindoor? Why was the operation halted so soon? asks Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

The New Girl In Varun Dhawan's Life

The New Girl In Varun Dhawan's Life

Rediff.com28 Jul 2025

Varun Dhawan gets a new heroine in his upcoming film, Border 2, as Medha Rana makes her big screen debut.

'Flight Seemed To Descend 15 Seconds After Lift-Off'

'Flight Seemed To Descend 15 Seconds After Lift-Off'

Rediff.com13 Jun 2025

'Loss of thrust in both engines would have left the crew with minimal options for recovery.'

SBI ready to support Tata group's bid for Air India

SBI ready to support Tata group's bid for Air India

Rediff.com28 Sep 2021

India's largest public sector bank State Bank of India (SBI) will support Tata group's bid for soon-to-be-privatised Air India by subscribing to Tata Sons debentures or funding the special purpose vehicle (SPV) set up by Tata Sons for the acquisition. Bankers said the credit rating of Tata group's holding company is "AAA" signifying high safety and a combination of Air India with its existing airline businesses would make it a formidable player - leading to a duopoly market with IndiGo. It would also open many business opportunities, including in the retail segment, an official said.

SBI-led consortium agrees to give loan to the Tatas for Air India

SBI-led consortium agrees to give loan to the Tatas for Air India

Rediff.com27 Jan 2022

A consortium of lenders led by State Bank of India (SBI) has agreed to provide loans to Tata Group for the smooth operations of loss-making Air India. Tata Group, which won the bid to acquire the national carrier along with Air India Express and 50 per cent stake in AISATS in October last year, is expected to formally takeover the airline on Thursday. Sources said the SBI-led consortium has agreed to grant both term loans and working capital loans depending on the airline's requirements. All large lenders, including Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, and Union Bank of India, are part of the consortium, they added.

Oval curator who silenced Gambhir and stole the show

Oval curator who silenced Gambhir and stole the show

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

Most pitch curators are possessive about the main square on a cricket field but Lee Fortis, the chief curator at The Oval, takes that obsession to a sacrosanct level.

'Govt won't own a single share in Air India'

'Govt won't own a single share in Air India'

Rediff.com20 Oct 2021

'The business continuity clause will mean the Tatas will have to keep running the airline for three years, and cannot exit the flying business.'

Deadline to bid for Air India extended till Apr 30

Deadline to bid for Air India extended till Apr 30

Rediff.com13 Mar 2020

The changes are in view of the requests received from interested bidders and the prevailing situation arising out of COVID-19.

Guinness World Record, Here I Come!

Guinness World Record, Here I Come!

Rediff.com2 Aug 2025

Glimpses from India and around the world that will make you smile and cry.

Air India plane carrying 240 Indians from Ukraine lands at Delhi airport

Air India plane carrying 240 Indians from Ukraine lands at Delhi airport

Rediff.com23 Feb 2022

The flight AI 1946 landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here at around 11.40 pm.

'On Beijing, Delhi Will Sleep With One Eye Open'

'On Beijing, Delhi Will Sleep With One Eye Open'

Rediff.com23 Aug 2025

'New Delhi is not naive about its foreign policy choices.'

Air India bid deadline may be extended till Dec 15

Air India bid deadline may be extended till Dec 15

Rediff.com19 Oct 2020

To attract potential suitors, the government will ease asset valuation norms for Air India by allowing bidders to put in offers on an enterprise value basis, a source said on Monday. To begin with, the government is likely to further extend the deadline for putting in a preliminary expression of interest for the loss-making national carrier to December 15. The source said bids will be sought on an enterprise value basis - a popular valuation methodology for takeover deals.

Hong Kong bars Air India flights after passengers test Covid positive

Hong Kong bars Air India flights after passengers test Covid positive

Rediff.com21 Sep 2020

Air India passenger flights were barred from landing in Hong Kong between August 18 and August 31 after 14 passengers on its Delhi-Hong Kong flight of August 14 tested positive for COVID-19 post arrival.

Who Says India Is Friendless?

Who Says India Is Friendless?

Rediff.com7 Jun 2025

The reality is that far from being friendless, India is better positioned in the world than at any point post-Cold War, asserts Shekhar Gupta.

Indian Military's Awesome 3

Indian Military's Awesome 3

Rediff.com28 May 2025

Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw Field Marshal K M Cariappa Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh The three highest-ranking military heroes of the Indian Armed Forces. They were the rarest of the rare. The bravest of the brave.

'Haven't seen her': KL Rahul's fatherhood struggle

'Haven't seen her': KL Rahul's fatherhood struggle

Rediff.com28 Jul 2025

KL Rahul got emotional during a heartfelt on-air conversation with former teammate Cheteshwar Pujara, as he opened up about embracing fatherhood and the pain of being away from his newborn daughter, Evaarah, while on national duty.

The Harop: India's Lethal Weapon

The Harop: India's Lethal Weapon

Rediff.com8 May 2025

The Israeli-made Harop drone is a powerful weapon that can operate silently in enemy territory and carry a significant payload.

Air India comes to Team India's rescue

Air India comes to Team India's rescue

Rediff.com9 Sep 2009

They were supposed to fly by the Jet Airways whose services have been hit by the ongoing strike by its pilots, an Air India spokesman said.

Now, Trump credits 'very smart' leaders of India, Pak for ceasefire

Now, Trump credits 'very smart' leaders of India, Pak for ceasefire

Rediff.com19 Jun 2025

Two 'very smart' leaders of India and Pakistan decided to end last month's conflict that could have turned into a nuclear war, United States President Donald Trump said after holding a rare luncheon meeting with Pakistan army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House.

SEE: Modi-Shah versus Gandhi siblings in LS debate

SEE: Modi-Shah versus Gandhi siblings in LS debate

Rediff.com30 Jul 2025

The highlight of Tuesday's debate on Operation Sindoor was the speech by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the rebuttal by Congress's Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi coming a close second.

Akshay, Veer And The Stolen Mahavir Chakra

Akshay, Veer And The Stolen Mahavir Chakra

Rediff.com13 Jun 2025

The actors played a key role in helping recover the stolen Mahavir Chakra.

Pahalgam, Op Sindoor to dominate Parl this week; will Tharoor speak?

Pahalgam, Op Sindoor to dominate Parl this week; will Tharoor speak?

Rediff.com27 Jul 2025

A big question mark is on whether Shashi Tharoor, who had led the delegation to the US among other countries, will be picked as speaker by the Congress, as the seasoned Lok Sabha member's enthusiastic endorsement of the government's action following the terror attack has soured his ties with his party.

Pakistan says 'ceasefire extended', seeks dialogue with India

Pakistan says 'ceasefire extended', seeks dialogue with India

Rediff.com16 May 2025

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has called for a 'composite dialogue' with India to address the contentious issues between the two sides.

Air India sale: Govt relaxes rules to attract buyers

Air India sale: Govt relaxes rules to attract buyers

Rediff.com15 Jun 2019

'Since the government will not hold any significant stake in the airline this time, such restrictions are not required anymore.'

'Companies Will Be More Powerful Than Nations'

'Companies Will Be More Powerful Than Nations'

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

'If you align your ambition with India's rise, the peak of your careers will unfold alongside the peak of India's power.'

The Train Action That Inspired Bhagat Singh

The Train Action That Inspired Bhagat Singh

Rediff.com11 Aug 2025

One hundred years ago, a group of 10 revolutionaries carried out an operation that shook the British Empire. Utkarsh Mishra revisits the 'Kakori Conspiracy Case', a turning point in the armed struggle for independence.

Army deploys AI-driven tech, robotic mules, smart fences for LoC security

Army deploys AI-driven tech, robotic mules, smart fences for LoC security

Rediff.com13 Aug 2025

The Indian Army has enhanced security along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district by deploying state-of-the-art equipment, including smart fence systems, robotic mules, and all-terrain vehicles. These upgrades aim to counter infiltration and ensure peaceful Independence Day celebrations.

Pather Panchali@70: Beautiful, Broken People

Pather Panchali@70: Beautiful, Broken People

Rediff.com4 Sep 2025

Seventy years after Pather Panchali released on August 26, 1955, we finally get it. Shuttling between the village of Boral and a studio in Calcutta, caught between worrying about the next purse of funds and wondering which item to mortgage next, Satyajit Ray was explaining Indians to themselves, discovers Sreehari Nair.

Post Air India-Tata deal, govt staff are free to book tickets on any airline

Post Air India-Tata deal, govt staff are free to book tickets on any airline

Rediff.com2 Nov 2021

Post handing over of Air India to the Tatas, government officials will be free to book their travel with any airline that offers them the best price. And, the Centre will not have a tie up with any carrier, department of investment and public asset management (DIPAM) secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey said. "The government is not mandating travel by any particular airline, going forward, after handing over Air India because there won't be any state-owned airline," he said. The department of expenditure (DoE) will soon issue instructions to government departments for official travel as this needs to be done before handing over Air India to the new buyer, he said.