Bhopal, June 13 (IANS) French Ambassador Thierry Mathou called upon Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav at the latter’s official residence, Samatva Bhavan, in Bhopal on Friday. During the meeting, a significant tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to strengthen long-term cooperation between France and Madhya Pradesh in the fields of culture and tourism. This strategic pact aims to elevate the cultural, tourism, and educational sectors in the state, reinforcing Madhya Pradesh’s standing as India’s cultural and tourism capital.The MoU was signed by the Ambassador of France to India, Dr Thierry Mathou, Principal Secretary, Tourism and Culture in the MP government, Shiv Shekhar Shukla and President of Alliance Francaise de Bhopal, Akhilesh Verma. The agreement will remain valid for three years and can be extended with mutual consent.The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, following a meeting with Dr Thierry Mathou.Key features of the MoU include joint organisation of cultural events such as art festivals, music and dance performances, exhibitions, film screenings, culinary events, and other cultural programmes. A dedicated Indo-French Cultural Calendar will be prepared annually.Describing the MoU as a significant step towards enhancing its cultural and tourism landscape, the Chief Minister said that Madhya Pradesh is keen to build not only cultural but also commercial ties with France. CM Yadav stated that India and France have always shared cordial relations, which have deepened further following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France.”Madhya Pradesh is keen to build not only cultural but also commercial ties with France. This historic MoU is set to transform Madhya Pradesh into a new centre of cultural and tourism collaboration between India and France,” the Chief Minister said.Meanwhile, Yadav also informed that he will be visiting France to participate in a business meeting next week, during which he will meet with a group of industrialists and invite them to invest in Madhya Pradesh. He highlighted the potential for mutual cooperation in areas such as industrial development, entrepreneurship, and the promotion of traditional crafts.The Chief Minister said, “This MoU brings us closer to our vision of establishing Madhya Pradesh not only as the cultural capital of India but also as a progressive, global hub for tourism and culture. It will provide a global platform to the state’s artists and lead to a significant increase in tourist arrivals from France and Europe.”French Ambassador Dr Thierry Mathou expressed happiness over the partnership and remarked, “We are delighted to establish this important collaboration with the Government of Madhya Pradesh. France focuses particularly on tourism, security, environment, and education. This MoU will further strengthen cultural ties between the two countries, opening new opportunities in art, education, and tourism”.–IANSpd/uk

Bengaluru, June 13 (IANS) Friends of Prateek Joshi, who, along with his wife and three children, passed away in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, expressed grief over the tragedy and recalled the good times spent with him in Karnataka’s Belagavi.Joshi’s classmates remembered him as a jovial, happy person who was liked by all his batchmates.Prateek, who hailed from Rajasthan, completed his MBBS at the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC) in Belagavi.Prashanth Basutkar, currently living in Yadgir, stated, “Prateek was my classmate. We were very close; he was my benchmate and tablemate. We studied together for five years and received our postings at the same time.””I used to help Prateek, and he also helped me in return. He was a gem, a very humble and noble person. Unfortunately, it all ended with the flight accident. The photo of all five of them, which they shared from onboard the aircraft, is truly moving. Prateek had already been working in the UK for five years as a Radiologist. His wife worked in Udaipur,” Basutkar added.He further added, “Prateek wanted to settle in the UK with his family. It seems he had also bought a house in London. The whole family wanted to settle in London. I can’t express it in words. We suffer so much even from small fire injuries, and they were burned alive. What must have been the plight of those small children? They were very young.”Another classmate of Prateek said, “It’s difficult to imagine their plight now, those small children. We felt very saddened that this happened to one of our classmates. His whole family is gone, and I pray to God to give strength to his parents to withstand the grief.””Prateek was in touch, and common friends were all in a WhatsApp group. He was a jovial and kind-natured person, liked by all his batchmates. What has happened is very tragic. We were planning a 25th-year reunion programme in September and were expecting him to join us, but that won’t happen now,” another classmate of the deceased doctor said.”It’s a sad feeling everyone is going through right now. We can’t believe this happened. We have to come to terms with reality. It’s tragic and unfortunate that Prateek’s life ended like this. His whole family passed away. Those on the plane must have had many plans for their future, and it was tragic to see their lives end this way,” she claimed.JNMC College Principal N. S. Mahantshetti said that the tragedy was unfortunate.Prateek studied MBBS at JNMC between 2000 and 2005. Afterwards, he completed his radiology specialisation from Kolar Medical College.Prateek had come to Udaipur to take his family to London.Prateek was travelling with his wife Komi Vyas, eight-year-old daughter Miraya and five-year-old twin sons Nakul and Pradyut when the tragedy struck.–IANSmka/svn

Chandigarh, June 13 (IANS) An Apache helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) made an emergency landing on Friday in the Nangalpur area of Punjab’s Pathankot district due to a suspected technical glitch. The incident occurred while the aircraft was on a routine training sortie.Both the pilot and co-pilot escaped unhurt, and no damage to civilian life or property has been reported.The helicopter was promptly secured by military personnel, and a technical team has been deployed to inspect the aircraft.As of now, neither the IAF nor the local administration has issued an official statement detailing the cause of the emergency landing.Officials present at the site declined to comment, citing operational security protocols.This is the second such incident involving an Apache helicopter in recent days. On June 6, another Apache was forced to make a “precautionary landing” in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur due to technical concerns. No injuries were reported in that case either.Emergency or precautionary landings of military aircraft are not uncommon and are typically carried out to prevent potential mishaps when any anomaly is detected during flight.The latest incident also comes just a day after a tragic crash involving a London-bound Air India flight that killed at least 241 people.The AH-64E Apache helicopters were formally inducted into the IAF in September 2019 as part of the 125 Helicopter Squadron based in Pathankot. These advanced multi-role attack helicopters were brought in to replace the aging Soviet-era Mi-25/35 gunships, which had been in service since the 1980s.Since their induction, Apaches have been deployed in forward areas, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, following the border standoff with China in 2020. Designed for high-altitude operations, these helicopters have played a critical role in enhancing the IAF’s tactical capabilities in difficult terrain.–IANSvg/skp

New Delhi, June 13 (IANS) Renowned aviation analyst and flight safety expert S.J. Murlidhar, who has previously investigated major air crashes, shared his initial assessment on the tragic plane crash involving a Dreamliner 787 at Ahmedabad. In a detailed conversation with IANS, he discussed possible causes behind the catastrophe and whether it could have been averted.IANS: In your opinion, what could be the possible reasons behind this crash?S.J. Murlidhar: When we investigate any air crash, we begin with a process of elimination. The first step is to list all possible scenarios on a whiteboard. From natural phenomena to technical issues, everything is considered. In this case, despite the aircraft being a modern Dreamliner with the best-in-class technology, the incident is highly unusual. Airlines do face minor issues—like battery glitches, windshield cracks, or occasional smoke incidents—but those rarely lead to a full-blown catastrophe like this.IANS: Could this crash have been caused by natural phenomena?S.J. Murlidhar: That is one possibility. Weather plays a big role in aviation safety. Bad weather, lightning, hailstorms, or even volcanic ash can impact an aircraft. Ash clouds, for instance, can cause engine flameouts. One critical phenomenon is windshear or microbursts, especially during takeoff or landing. These are sudden downdrafts that hit the ground and disperse in all directions. If an aircraft encounters such a microburst during climb-out, it could lose lift dramatically.IANS: Is there any indication of aircraft system failure?S.J. Murlidhar: Preliminary observations suggest that the aircraft failed to attain enough speed or lift to sustain flight. That could be either pilot-induced or system-induced. We look at critical speeds during takeoff—like the 100 knots callout and V1 speed (decision speed). If the aircraft cannot rotate and lift-off post-V1, there’s no option to abort the takeoff safely. The aircraft in question appears to have barely lifted off, which points to insufficient thrust or improper configuration.IANS: Could engine failure have played a role?S.J. Murlidhar: Yes, a delayed or unresponsive engine could be the cause. There was a similar incident at Heathrow involving a Boeing 777 arriving from China. The pilots commanded power during landing, but the engines failed to respond. In the present case, after takeoff, the aircraft did not climb as expected, and the rate of climb was unusually low, suggesting the engines did not perform adequately—despite receiving input from the pilot.IANS: What about factors like flaps, loading or stabilizer settings?S.J. Murlidhar: Absolutely. If the flaps are not set properly for takeoff, the aircraft may not generate enough lift. Improper loading and trim sheet errors—which affect the center of gravity—could also compromise flight stability. Though these are rare, they’re not impossible. Incorrect stabilizer settings are another factor, but modern aircraft are equipped with warning systems to alert the crew well in time.IANS: Is controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) a possibility?S.J. Murlidhar: CFIT usually occurs when a perfectly functional aircraft is unintentionally flown into terrain, like in the 1990s crash of an A320 at Bangalore (VT-EPN). But in this case, the crash occurred right after takeoff, at low altitude. So while CFIT is a known killer in aviation, this particular incident seems more likely to be linked to lack of lift or thrust. But one cannot be so sure till the final report is revealed by the investigators.IANS: Can sabotage be ruled out?S.J. Murlidhar: Given the strategic tensions after Operation Sindoor, sabotage cannot be entirely ruled out. Though rare, sabotage involving fuel contamination, explosive devices, or tampering with flight systems has happened in the past. One scenario is contamination of aviation fuel with water or other substances. This prevents proper combustion and can lead to engine failure. That said, so far there’s no visual evidence of an explosion, which makes a bombing unlikely—but we must await forensic reports.IANS: Could this tragedy have been averted?S.J. Murlidhar: The key to prevention lies in understanding the root cause. That’s where the black box comes in. It’s not just a recorder; it’s a comprehensive diagnostic tool. It logs cockpit conversations, technical data, throttle positions, engine performance, warning systems—everything. Once we retrieve and decode it, we will have clarity.IANS: When will we know the exact cause?S.J. Murlidhar: Once the black box—both the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR)—is decoded, we’ll know what really happened in those critical seconds. Until then, we can only hypothesize based on known data and similar past incidents.–IANSsas/mr

Mumbai, June 13 (IANS) A day after Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed in Ahmedabad just after takeoff, former Union civil aviation minister Praful Patel suggested a fine-tuning of Tata Group’s management of the airline is required on a priority basis.“After three and half years of takeover of Air India by the Tatas, the management needs to fine tune various aspects of running a world-class airline including maintenance,” he said in an interaction with the media here.Patel said that any accident does have a temporary setback but largely the Indian aviation sector is well managed.“The SOPs and safety norms are well in place in India’s aviation growth,” he added.“I don’t think the passengers should be scared of air travel. This is because India’s overall safety standards are well defined and DGCA keeps updating these norms in line with the international norms,” he noted.Asked about the Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) capacity in India, the former Union minister emphasised: “We have world class set up but it is surprising why some planes are sent outside the country for its maintenance. Boeing’s MRO facility at Nagpur has a good track record. Its services should be fully utilised. However, the facility has been underutilised.”Commenting on the possible reasons behind the crash, Patel said there is a distant possibility of a crash due to bird strike.“Even if one of the two engines had failed, technically the plane is equipped to take off. Watching the video, it seems that there was no problem at the time of the take off otherwise the pilot would have avoided it,” he said.Patel said during his tenure, the Parliament enacted law for the establishment of Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau which will conduct a thorough investigation which includes retrieving data from black box as well as the video recordings available on social media. While the data will be retrieved within a few months, it will take a little longer for the government to come out with a report detailing the exact reasons behind the crash.He expressed confidence in the functioning of the Bureau although foreign investigative agencies are going to be involved in this accident including a Boeing team and the Federal Aviation Administration.–IANSsj/pgh

Bhopal, June 13 (IANS) Four persons, including an eight-year-old girl child, were electrocuted to death while five others sustained severe injuries in two separate incidents in Gadarwara town of Narsinghpur district and Burharnpur town, Madhya Pradesh.

According to police, three persons received severe electric shock when they came in contact with a live 11 kV (kilovolts) electric line in Gadrwara on Friday. According to the police, the incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Friday outside a ‘Marriage Garden’ on Jamada Road, where preparations were underway for an upcoming event. The workers were moving a large iron ladder-cum-platform near the garden’s entrance when it accidentally touched an 11 kV overhead power line. The resulting electric shock was so intense that eyewitnesses reported smoke rising from the victims’ bodies.Three workers—identified as Piyush (26), Rajesh Pali (32), and Puran Jatav (36)—died on the spot. Two of the deceased were residents of Gadarwara, while one was from Indore. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, with one in critical condition referred to the district hospital in Narsinghpur.The Marriage Garden is owned by a local businessman. The incident has sparked outrage among residents, who are questioning the role of the electricity department and the lack of safety measures at the site. Locals allege that no prior warning or insulation was provided for the high-tension line, which runs dangerously close to the venue’s entrance.Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav expressed deep sorrow over the incident and announced an ex gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for each injured worker. He also directed officials to ensure proper treatment for the injured and initiate an inquiry into the circumstances leading to the accident.The district administration has launched a preliminary investigation, and senior officials from the electricity department have visited the site.The incident has reignited concerns over worker safety and the enforcement of electrical safety norms at public venues. Authorities have assured that those responsible for negligence will be held accountable.In a similar incident, an eight-year-old girl died after being electrocuted while playing in the village of Burhanpur on Friday. The incident occurred around 9:50 a.m. According to police, five girls were playing near an old house when they came into contact with a live, broken electric wire hanging from the structure. Two girls were rescued by family members, but Purvi Barkane died on the spot. The other two girls have been identified as Shivani Barkane (6) and Rishika.–IANSsktr/uk

Hyderabad, June 13 (IANS) The Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has summoned Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President and former minister K.T. Rama Rao for questioning in the Formula E case on June 16.The ACB has issued notice to Rama Rao, directing him to appear before it at 10 a.m. on Monday.The anti-graft agency had earlier given him a notice to appear on May 28. The BRS leader, however, informed the agency that as he planned to leave for a foreign tour, he would appear before them after he returned.”As a law-abiding citizen, will definitely cooperate with the agencies even though the case is nothing but pure political harassment. As I have planned to leave for the UK & USA for multiple events much in advance, will appear in front of them the moment I come back. Informed the same to ACB Officials in writing,” he had said in his statement on May 26.KTR, as the BRS leader is popularly known, returned from the US in the first week of this month.The former minister had appeared before the ACB on January 9 in the case relating to the conduct of the Formula E race in Hyderabad in January 2023, when the BRS was in power.The ACB in December last year booked a case against KTR, former Special Chief Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD), Arvind Kumar and Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority’s (HMDA) former Chief Engineer B.L.N. Reddy for alleged Rs. 54.88 crore irregularities in the Formula-E deal.The FIR was registered on a complaint by Principal Secretary, MA&UD, M. Dana Kishore, who stated that foreign remittances were made without prior approvals of the relevant regulatory authorities, which resulted in additional tax burden to the HMDA to the tune of Rs. 8.06 crore.The complainant also alleged that the payment was made while the Model Code of Conduct was in effect for the elections to the state Legislative Assembly without any prior approval of the Election Commission of India.The FIR was registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act as well as under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 409 (criminal breach of trust) and 120B (criminal conspiracy).–IANSms/vd

Guwahati, June 13 (IANS) Assam unit Congress president and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi on Friday took a potshot at Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, claiming that people of the state are all set to oust the BJP from power in the next year’s Assembly polls. Speaking to reporters here, Gogoi said: “Himanta Biswa Sarma is set to lose his CM post in the next year’s Assembly polls. This is absolutely clear from the response we are getting from the general public in the state. Thus, Sarma has become very much sceptical and his recent actions have shown that he will not be able to retain power next year.”According to the Congress leader, people have been coming out in large numbers to attend the programmes of the grand old party.“I was not expecting large gatherings of public in block level meetings that were held recently across the state. However, there have been good presence of party supporters far from our expectations. This shows that people want Congress to be back in power in the state,” Gogoi said, adding that the civil society plays a very important role in determining the result of any election.The Congress MP said: “The Congress party workers will reach out to every section of the society in the upcoming days. They will convey the message of Congress to the ordinary people in the state.”In a significant political transition ahead of next year’s Assam Assembly elections, Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi formally assumed office as the new president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) couple of weeks ago.Gogoi’s appointment comes at a politically sensitive time, amid allegations from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma linking his wife to Pakistan’s ISI, claims the Congress leader has categorically rejected. As Gogoi assumes leadership, the Congress is expected to recalibrate its strategy and organisation in the run-up to the high-stakes 2026 state elections.–IANStdr/pgh

Ahmedabad, June 13 (IANS) The British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron on Friday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasising that the United Kingdom and India continue to work together to establish the facts behind Thursday’s devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad.

The meeting took place as Prime Minister Modi visited the crash site in Ahmedabad and also chaired a review meeting with top authorities to assess the ongoing relief and recovery efforts.”I met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi this morning. We shared condolences in the face of this tragic accident, and I offered my thanks for the work of tireless first responders here in Ahmedabad. The UK and India are working together to establish the facts. We stand ready to support the families and friends of affected British Nationals – please consult our Travel Advice for updates and contact us on the 24/7 consular helpline,” Cameron posted on X.The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London’s Gatwick, crashed shortly after the take-off on June 12, plummeting into a densely populated area near B J Medical College.The crash led to the death of 241 of the 242 people on board. The sole survivor, a British national of Indian origin, is currently under medical care.Among the deceased were 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian national. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been coordinating with affected countries, offering full assistance with identification, repatriation, and communication with bereaved families.Cameron, who rushed to Ahmedabad immediately after the accident, said that the British agencies continue to work with the local authorities and the airline in the aftermath of the tragic air crash.”My team and I have visited the crash site and hospital in Ahmedabad. Colleagues in UK and India are working around the clock to gather information and support British nationals affected. Please consult our Travel Advice for updates and contact us on the 24/7 consular helpline,” the High Commissioner posted on X on Thursday night.External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar also remains in close contact with his counterparts from the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Canada.The United Kingdom’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) and the United States’ Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) on Thursday had offered assistance in the investigation that is being carried out by the Indian authorities following the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171.”The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has formally offered its assistance to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, India. In addition, the UK AAIB will have expert status in the Indian safety investigation. This is in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 because UK citizens were on board the aircraft,” read a statement issued by the AAIB.”We are deploying a multidisciplinary investigation team to India to support the Indian-led investigation. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic accident,” it added.UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) stated that British nationals who require consular assistance or have concerns about friends or family should contact the helpline numbers immediately.”As part of the UK’s ongoing support in relation to today’s tragic incident, the AAIB will deploy a team to India to support the Indian Authorities in their investigation. I continue to receive regular updates on developments, and my thoughts remain with everyone involved,” Heidi Alexander, UK’s Secretary of State for Transport, posted on X.The country’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch investigates civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents within the UK, its overseas territories and crown dependencies.AAIB inspectors are from four main disciplines: operations, engineering, recorded data and human factors. For a field investigation, the branch sends a small team of inspectors (at least two) selected from these disciplines to the accident site or to the location of the aircraft following a serious incident.–IANSint/as

Bhubaneswar, June 13 (IANS) Odisha Police on Friday arrested two dreaded cadres of the proscribed Communist Party of India (Maoist), each carrying a reward of Rs 3 lakh on their heads, an official said.The arrests took place in the Mathili area of Malkangiri district during the early hours of Friday.The arrested Maoist ultras were identified as Kesa Kawasi of Darba police limits in Bastar district and Sanu Kunjam alias Rakesh, (ACM, AOB military platoon section-01) of Ganglur police station area in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh.Kesa is the Area Committee Member (ACM) of Kanger Ghati Area Committee of Bastar region while Rakesh works as the ACM in Andhra-Odisha Border (AOB) Military platoon Section-01 of the banned CPI (Maoist) outfit.“Based on credible intelligence regarding the movement of a group of banned CPI (Maoist) cadres in the forest area near villages Sodiguda and Tentuliguda under Mathili Police Station, a special operation was launched by Malkangiri District Police on the intervening night of June 12 and 13,” the Malkangiri police said in a press note on Friday.The police personnel during the early hours on Friday noticed a group of Maoists were fleeing into the jungle.The police chased the ultras, warning them to surrender.Meanwhile, the Maoists opened fire at the police team in a bid to escape by fleeing into the jungle.“In response, the police team exercised controlled fire in self-defence. During the subsequent area search, the two above noted Maoist cadres were apprehended successfully after a tussle while attempting to hide in the nearby bushes while others managed to escape into the jungle,” the Malkangiri police statement read.The police have also seized one Pistol, six rounds of ammunition, ten Electric Detonators, ten Codex wire, Gun Powder, Motorola Walkie-Talkie, Maoist literature, etc.During questioning, the ultras confessed to police about their involvement in many incidents of Exchange of Fire, ambush on security forces and other Maoist activities in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh area.Police are verifying the information elicited during the interrogation. The CPI(Maoist) cadre Rakesh was involved in the aerial ambush by the Maoists in February 2017 in which two security personnel were killed.He further confessed his role in the 2018 Maoist assault at Boilathila, which resulted in the death of five security personnel. Both Rakesh and Kesa were involved in the attack on Dharmavaram CRPF Camp by over 400 armed Maoists on January 16,2024.–IANSgyan/pgh