In the Protective Wings of ‘Angels of Air India’
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (FR)
Mangalore, May 31: Angels are generally meant for protecting and guiding human beings and when the victims of the air crash in Mangalore were in a dilemma of losing their loved ones and the painful task of identifying their bodies from among heap it was Angels of Air India who came to their help, when they needed it the most. The 45 member Special Assistance Team (SAT) popularly known as the Angels of Air India the arrived in Mangalore soon after the crash and went about their task silently but efficiently providing succor to the families of victims in every possible manner, under the able guidance of Air India’s Assistant General Mangalore Sudhir Amin and Wing Commander A K Sharma.
The SAT had had arrived in Mangalore on the evening of the crash tragedy and since then they have been involved in helping out to the survivors and the family members, helping relatives from outstanding with accommodation, transport and guidance, stay along with the survivors in the hospital and take care of all their needs and also help the family members claim the benefits of relief given by the government.
SAT was conceived about a year back with the major objective of providing emergency assistance cell consisting of Air India staff who volunteers to be angels providing comfort as and when the need arises. Since its formation, which was compulsory to obtain International Operations and Safety Audit (IOSA) certification, Mangalore proved to the first destination where their services were sought. The team is trained to handle crisis and has done drills twice in Mumbai before they were called to operate in Mangalore. The team undertakes such mock drill exercise every six months to keep its team in high gear.
Since their arrival on the evening of Saturday the team had set up a help desk at the airport and carried out its task successfully within a few days dealing with mortuaries, the survivors and family members and relatives, hospitals where survivors were admitted and in helping relatives to identify the bodies, including setting up a claim felicitation centre at Air India Mangalore office, for the relatives of the victims. The help desk scrutinizes the documents and creates necessary data for insurance companies so that insurance claims can be settled at an early date.
Every survivor undergoing treatment in hospitals has been provided with two members each of SAT who attend to all their needs in turn. They also help arranging ambulances, transportation arrangements for the family members and relatives and arranging the travelling and accommodation of outstation of victims.
Though Air India has received lot of flake soon after the tragedy with every Tom, Dick and Harry finding fault with everything that Air India did, no one seems to be appreciating the good work and hand of comfort extended to the survivors, family members and relatives within a few hours of the tragedy. Angels of Air India have extended their pure love and comfort to those who deserved it. They will no doubt serve as an inspiration to many other institutions like the Railways and other transport services to reach out to the victims who are helpless in the hour of crisis. Angles of Air India have set a good precedent for others to follow.
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