Tragedy to Trust: The Air India Tragedy Demands Truth, Reform,

The crash of Air India Flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad is a gut-wrenching tragedy — lives lost in midair, families shattered in moments, and the collective conscience of a nation shaken once again.

- RAKESH K. CHITKARA

Among the victims were trusting passengers, including small children and young students full of promise and potential. Their loss is personal to all of us. But while condolences pour in from across the country and around the world, we must admit an uncomfortable truth: grief cannot be our only response. We must act courageously and with full accountability.

The nation has seen this pattern before. In last year's Balasore train disaster, early suggestions of sabotage quickly made headlines. Only later did investigations point to deeper systemic flaws and neglected safety protocols. Today, whispers of an "external hand" have once again emerged in the context of this air crash. But India must rise above this reflex. Rushing to blame unseen enemies may serve political or narrative convenience, but it diverts attention from what truly matters — scientific investigation, operational accountability, and institutional reform.

The aircraft involved — a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner powered by GE engines is part of a globally respected fleet. This is no ageing relic; it is among the most advanced commercial aircraft flying today. GE's engines, part of which are manufactured in India's own Chakan facility, are globally certified and widely deployed. That is precisely what makes this incident so alarming: if the aircraft and engines are sound by design, then was the failure in execution — in maintenance, inspection, or human error?

Air India is responsible for the upkeep and technical condition of its fleet, under the regulatory supervision of India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). If, as early indicators suggest, this particular aircraft experienced unresolved malfunctions or procedural lapses in previous legs of its journey, then both entities must answer hard questions. Were pre-flight safety reports ignored?