I am used to saying Jai Hind each time I pass through the gates of a Cantonment or Air Force Station. My kids have been saying this to the security personnel at any gate – military or otherwise – since they were old enough to talk. However, when I read about the advisory to Air India personnel requiring them to say Jai Hind at the end of each flight announcement, I had some misgivings about this. So did many of the tweeple apparently.
“With immediate effect, all (crew) are required to announce ‘Jai Hind’ at the end of every announcement after a slight pause and much fervour,” said an Air India advisory. This advisory was issued in line with the “mood of the nation”
Some pointed out that this was already a practice; others welcomed the move and thought that it was required and appropriate.
Some of the tweeple felt that this should be done at bus stands and railway stations too; which would force ‘liberals’ to travel by primitive means of transport felt this twitter user.
Some felt that an advisory was not enough; that this should be made compulsory.
This one refers to our characteristic Indian hurry to deplane; where we get up and stand in the aisle as soon as the plane stops moving; even though passengers save zero seconds by doing this. (After all, everyone waits at the same baggage dispersal belt to collect their baggage.)
Some people felt that this move is irrelevant and adds nothing to the flying experience, the quality of the airline or its profitability.
Many people on social media have felt that this move is just a cosmetic change; jingoism rather than a meaningful change
This debate readdresses issues of what defines patriotism; and whether a cosmetic change such as this matters. This was an issue earlier as well when people voiced their disagreement with moves as the compulsory playing of the national anthem before movie screenings.
Some people wanted to know whether they would receive a discount or a free upgrade if they reciprocated with loud Jain Hinds of their own.
Some of the tweeple decided to be facetious and asked whether Jai Hind would be said after each and every flight announcement; such as these announcements – the context here changes everything!
The cabin crew of various airlines have been known to say Jai Hind spontaneously and with genuine feeling from time to time. Some people wondered why there was any need to issue an advisory such as this one. Could this just be about an official making political brownie points, as some tweets suggested?
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