
Window pane of Goa-Pune SpiceJet flight comes off midair
The airline played down the incident, saying the window part that had come off was "a non-structural trim component, fitted onto the window for the purpose of shade".
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
But a person on board the plane - a Bombardier Q400 - told TOI the incident triggered anxiety among the passengers. "Two to three layers of the window panel just came off," said Aatish Mishra, the passenger.
"There was no depressurisation, but this shouldn't have happened... We've just had a tragic plane crash," he added.
The airline issued a statement saying: "A cosmetic window frame on one of SpiceJet's Q400 aircraft became loose during flight and was found dislodged. It is important to note that this was a non-structural trim component, fitted onto the window for the purpose of shade, and did not compromise the safety or integrity of the aircraft in any way. Cabin pressurisation remained normal throughout the flight, and there was no impact on passenger safety.
"
Mishra said he was in row 8 when he heard commotion from the back. The Q400 can seat around 80 passengers. A SpiceJet spokesperson said the frame was fixed after landing, "in accordance with standard maintenance procedures".

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
She raised MBA graduates in a Delhi slum. Now she can't afford the city that took her home away
In the 1970s, Veerasamy left behind his village in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, in hopes of a better life in Delhi. His family worked on farms and barely managed to get by. So, after getting married, he moved nearly 2,000 km to the capital, becoming the first in his family to take such a step. As per a report by The Times of India, that was a time when nearly a third of India's migrants were moving from villages to cities. Tamil Nadu had more people leaving than arriving, and many of them were heading to Delhi. Veerasamy found his place in a small settlement with other Tamil migrants. This place would come to be known as Madrasi Camp. He started working informally as a labourer on municipal projects. Life wasn't easy, but it was a beginning. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List One summer, his 16-year-old niece Meenakshi came to visit from Tirunelveli. She liked Delhi, and she stayed. 'Madrasi Camp was about half the size then,' she told TOI. The camp, like many urban slums, was built on the edge of wealthier neighbourhoods. People from the camp found work nearby, cleaning houses, cooking meals, washing cars. Meenakshi, who had studied till Class 8, started working in local homes. Live Events But there was a language barrier. 'I couldn't understand them. They couldn't understand me,' she said. It took two years for her to pick up enough Hindi to get by. She later met Senthil, who lived in the same camp. They fell in love, got married in Tamil Nadu, and returned to Delhi to begin their married life in a small home with a room, a kitchen and a bathroom. 'But we had everything we needed,' Meenakshi told TOI. By the 1990s, India's economy had started to open up. Cities offered more opportunities, even if they were unevenly spread. For migrant families like Meenakshi's, progress came slowly, generation by generation. Veerasamy was the first. Meenakshi and Senthil were the second. And they hoped their children would be the third, the ones who would break barriers. They had three children, two daughters and a son. The girls went to a Tamil school 8 km away, run by the Delhi Tamil Education Association, where annual costs were around Rs 20,000. Their son went to a private school, costing Rs 4,000–5,000 per month. Now, both daughters are in their 20s and doing MBA degrees in finance. Their son, who has a BCom, also wants to pursue an MBA. 'Even MBAs are more expensive now, Rs 1 lakh, Rs 2 lakh,' Meenakshi said. 'We'll have to find a college that's a bit cheaper.' Together, Meenakshi and Senthil make about Rs 25,000 a month. She earns Rs 15,000 working as a domestic worker, and he makes Rs 10,000 doing odd jobs at shops. But they are doing their best to give their children a better life. 'I spent more than 30 years here. It's all gone,' Meenakshi said, standing beside what used to be her home. On June 1, as per TOI, the homes of hundreds of Tamil migrant families were demolished in southern Delhi. The land belonged to the railways, and the settlement, Madrasi Camp, was said to be blocking a drain that flows into the Yamuna River. The demolition followed a court order. Only the local Murugan temple was left standing. Residents said the camp had existed for nearly 60 years. According to Delhi officials, 370 homes were torn down. Of these families, 189 were given apartments through a relocation programme, 26 were told they would get them soon, and 155 were denied homes. But most of the relocated families haven't moved in yet. Meenakshi explained that only a few childless couples had shifted immediately. That's because the new homes are in Narela, an area 50km away from where Madrasi Camp stood. It's far from job opportunities, has bad roads, and a high crime rate. For many, travelling to south Delhi for work would now take four hours daily. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu MK Stalin called the situation a 'humanitarian crisis' in a letter to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. But Gupta said that since the court had given the order, neither the government nor the administration could stop it. While challenging their eviction in court, the residents of Madrasi Camp admitted they had no legal right to live there, but said they deserved proper rehabilitation. They had requested to be moved to two areas better connected to Delhi's economy, but officials said there wasn't enough space. So, Narela was the only option. And even that comes at a cost. Each family given a home must pay Rs 1,12,000 upfront, and then Rs 30,000 every year for five years as maintenance. The house is a leasehold property for 10 years, which means it cannot be rented, transferred, or sold during that period. After 10 years, it becomes freehold. When the TOI reporter visited Meenakshi's new fourth-floor flat, they asked if at least there was enough sunlight and fresh air. 'Yes, too much of it,' she laughed, pointing to a square hole in the wall where a window should have been. The flat had the basics: a small kitchen, a bathroom, a bedroom, a living room, and a tiny balcony. But the paint was chipped, the plaster was peeling, the tiles were crooked, and the door frames were already rusting. And yet, these were called 'ready-to-move' homes. When asked if she was ready to move, Meenakshi didn't give a clear answer. Her quiet planning showed she was trying to prepare, even though it wouldn't be easy. Inputs from TOI


Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Deaths at MM Hills draw attention to need for stronger tiger protection
Mysuru: Tiger deaths outside tiger reserves have raised concerns, even as authorities are contemplating plans to step up measures for the protection of big cats. The recent death of five tigers in MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary has once again drawn attention to the need for stronger tiger conservation measures outside reserve areas. This year, seven out of ten tiger deaths in Karnataka occurred outside the designated tiger reserves. Between 2012 and 2024 (till Sept), 179 tigers died in Karnataka, some of them outside tiger reserves and national parks where conservation plans are strictly implemented as per the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act. Karnataka recorded the presence of 565 tigers during the tiger census, and about 60 of them are in non-tiger reserve areas. Karnataka has five tiger reserves—Bandipur, Nagarahole, BRT, Bhadra, and Kali. Four tigers died outside the reserve area in 2024, six tigers in 2023, and three tigers in 2022. Field director (Project Tiger) P Ramesh Kumar told TOI that the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is coming out with a scheme for tiger conservation in non-tiger reserve areas where about 60 tigers are found. Usually, the sub-adult and aged tigers search for areas to settle as the big cats are territorial animals. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scientists: Tinnitus? When tinnitus won't go away, do this (Watch) Hearing Magazine Undo As a result, the sub-adult tigers come out of the forests to find their territory, whereas the aged and weak tigers come out in search of easy prey on the fringes of forests, the IFS officer, who served as Bandipur Tiger Reserve director, explained. Unlike in tiger reserves, conservation plans in wildlife sanctuaries and territorial forests are different, the IFS officer said. Now, after several incidents of tiger conflicts and deaths outside reserves across India, the NTCA recently revealed plans to bring in strict regulations to protect the tigers. Another officer claimed that when injured or aged tigers seek shelter in the forest border, they usually prey on cattle being grazed near the forest. In that case, a farmer losing their cattle in tiger or leopard attacks will receive Rs 30,000 compensation. The compensation should be provided to the farmers quickly. Karnataka earlier witnessed cases of tiger poisoning after cattle were killed. Farmers sprayed venomous liquid to avenge the killing as the tiger returned to its prey to feed. Nagarahole reported two cases of poisoning in the last one-and-a-half decade, while the MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary case of last week is the biggest incident as five tigers died due to poisoning. Box Judicial custody The three accused arrested in connection with the poisoning of the five tigers in MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary were handed over to judicial custody by the forest department on Thursday. MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in-charge DCF S Santhosh Kumar informed TOI that the accused taken into custody for investigation three days previously were sent back on Thursday. If necessary, the accused would be taken into custody, he said. Meanwhile, the committee headed by APCCF Kumar Pushakar, investigating the case, has continued its probe at the wildlife area. The committee has to submit its findings to the govt before mid-July.


Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Mandya campaign highlights child safety and fights against child marriage
Mandya: The Makkala Manadolage Surakshitha Abhiyana (children's safety awareness campaign), launched by the Mandya District Child Protection Unit, has received appreciation from high school and PU students for its impactful sessions on the dangers of child marriage, child safety, and empowerment. Over the past month, the campaign covered 18 schools across the district, reaching nearly 2,000 students. The initiative focused on spreading awareness about child rights, the Pocso Act , the dangers of child marriage, handling academic and personal setbacks, and more, through engaging and interactive two-hour sessions. Each session brought together all students of the school under one roof, where a team of three experts conducted motivational talks on different aspects of student welfare, especially focusing on the dangers of child marriage, punishments, and the safety of children. The campaign used real-life examples and inspiring stories to connect with students and encourage active participation. In the coming days, the district aims to be free from child marriage. Speaking to TOI, child protection officer Rashmi S said this campaign is aimed at improving the overall awareness and life skills of students from Class 8 to II PU. The response was very encouraging — students were not only engaged but also asked thought-provoking questions during the sessions. She said: "We've already conducted successful programmes in KR Pet and Pandavapura, and in days to come, we will be covering other taluks in the district." She added, "Students are curious about various topics — from life after SSLC to the legal consequences of child marriage. We also emphasise the importance of pursuing interests beyond academics, such as sports and cultural activities, and how to handle failures positively. " School authorities and students have praised the campaign for its relevance and effectiveness, noting that it equips young minds with the awareness and confidence needed to navigate challenges and make informed decisions.