Thirty Seconds Of Silence On Flights Carrying Bodies Of Soldiers Proposed

Passengers travelling in Indian carriers may have to soon observe 30 seconds of silence if the aircraft is carrying the mortal remains of military personnel who have died in combat, if a proposal from the armed forces gets the green light.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has sent the proposal to all airlines for their views, and it is likely that the government may soon accept it, said a report in the Economic Times.

“Airlines have to be taken on board before any decision is taken,” said a senior DGCA official. The DGCA has also forwarded a template for the announcement that could be made on such flights, and it reads like this: “It is our proud privilege/moment to announce that today on our flight we have amongst us the mortal remains of an extremely brave and gallant soldier of the Indian Army/Navy/Air Force… We request you to observe 30 seconds of silence for the departed soul.”

The terms ‘proud’ and ‘privileged’ while referring to martyred soldiers, seems “inappropriate” an airline official said. “I think it is a bit awkward when carrying their remains. If they were on board it would be fine.”

A DGCA official said the script, which is yet to be finalised, had not been prepared by the regulator.

Experts said it has been a standard practice for years to pay the martyred soldiers the respect they deserved, and everyone involved in the process, including the airlines, followed this to the letter, and went even beyond the prescribed rules to pay their homage. Carriers conduct a brief ceremony before loading a soldier’s body on to an aircraft and after bringing it out on arrival.

An official said the DGCA, which recently directed airlines to carry more Hindi newspapers and magazines than English, must focus more on serious issues affecting the sector.