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Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Indian Express
Why the pages of a passport must never be tampered with or torn
There are several dos and don'ts when it comes to safe air travel. While much attention is paid to comfort and convenient seats, many of us forget that documents, like a passport, are equally important. This is why any tampering with it could render it invalid, and officials may question its authenticity in India under the Passports Act, 1967. Experts assert that passport pages must not be tampered with or torn because it can invalidate the document, such that it is considered 'damaged', raising suspicion of fraud. It can lead to travel problems or legal consequences. 'The document's integrity ensures it is recognised as a legitimate travel document, allowing for smooth border crossings and visa processing,' said Colonel Rajgopalan, founder, Aviation Training India. Tampering in any form, such as tearing pages, altering, or mutilating the pages, can change the information or damage its security features. 'A passport, issued by the government, serves as an official citizenship and identification document accepted internationally for travel. It also contains several crucial security features like watermarks, holograms, and microprinting. Modern passports also use advanced technology like MRZ (Machine Readable Zones), biometric chips for faster and accurate processing,' said Dhairyashil Vandekar, an aviation expert and analyst. Even wet, stained, scribbled, missing pages or unofficial/memento stamps endorsed on the passport are considered damaged. 'This may not just result in denied entry but may also cause inconvenience by way of legal repercussions,' said Vandekar. In fact, if there are detached pages on which the binding has come off, you need to apply for a passport reissue. According to the website, the definition of a damaged passport is: Damaged passport is classified further based on the extent of damage, i.e.: *Damaged Passport – Passport number is readable, name is legible, and photo is intact *Damaged beyond recognition Notably, the Passports Act, 1967, is the primary legislation under which passport issuance and travel in India takes place. 'Maintaining the integrity of one's passport is an important responsibility of every citizen. It must be ensured that passport pages must not be tampered with, torn, overwritten, damaged, or defaced by putting stickers on the national emblem on it, as this will attract legal action under certain sections of the Passport Act, 1967, and Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita,' said Vendekar. A passport with torn pages are considered a form of damage and a new one needs to be issued under the 'Re-issue' category with the reason 'Lost/Damaged passport'. 'Duplicate passports are not issued; however, a new passport with a different passport number may be issued with fresh validity. The applicant has to apply in re-issue category with reason as Lost/Damaged passport,' according to the website. Here's why passport integrity is crucial: Authentication According to Rajgopalan, tampered or torn pages can be evidence of forgery or alteration, making the passport invalid and raising suspicion among immigration authorities. Visa and stamp application Most countries require a certain number of blank pages for visas and entry stamps so that damaged pages can prevent travel. Legal consequences Tampering with a passport can be a crime, leading to legal penalties. Security Protecting the passport from damage and alteration helps prevent misuse by others for illegal activities, such as identity theft or fraud. International recognition A valid passport is a crucial travel document, and tampering undermines its international recognition, said Rajgopalan.
Indian Express
16-05-2025
- Indian Express
Why cabin crew ask you to keep the seat in an upright position during takeoff and landing
Cabin crew insist on upright seat positions during takeoff and landing. But have you ever wondered why? Experts suggest that, like every other important rule followed in airlines, this simple act of ensuring that the seat is pushed back in a fully vertical, unreclined position is also paramount for passenger safety during critical phases of a flight. While the simplest reason is that it provides better support for the passenger's back, Colonel Rajgopalan, founder, Aviation Training India, said considering that takeoff and landing are the most critical phases of any flight, an upright seat allows you to 'brace or react' if needed in case of turbulence or an emergency. 'A reclined seat could increase the risk of injury to yourself and the passenger behind you,' added Rajgopalan. An upright position means the seat is locked in place, ensuring the passenger is fully protected and positioned correctly in case of an emergency impact. Notably, this is part of the safety briefing authorised by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Manual on Information and Instructions for Passenger Safety, which mandates airlines through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India to follow these regulations. 'In addition to instructing passengers to keep the window blinds open and keep the tray tables stowed, these safety procedures include keeping seat backs in the upright position. As per ICAO guidelines, both verbal and visual demonstrations are essential to enhance passenger safety and improve their response and survivability during emergencies,' said Dhairyashil Vandekar, an aviation expert and analyst. According to Colonel Rajgopalan, an upright seat provides a more stable base for your body, reducing the risk of injury. 'The upright position also allows you to quickly and easily brace yourself for potential impact or be ready to assist with evacuation if needed, with clearer aisles,' he added. Notably, in the unlikely event of a crash, 'a reclined seat could cause your head to hit the back of the seat in front, potentially causing more severe injury than if your seat were upright'. During the flight, passengers can choose to recline their seats to relax or become more comfortable, ensuring that those behind them are not disturbed.
Indian Express
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Indian Express
Why certain aircrafts make a distinctive ‘barking' or ‘grinding sound' before takeoff
Passengers on particular aircraft, like Airbus A320 and Airbus A330, often hear a distinctive 'barking sound' that closely resembles the noise of a saw. Often, the grinding noise can be disturbing, sounding like a strange sound, or you may feel concerned about your safety. If you have always been interested in learning more about this unique sound or find it fascinating, we have you covered. It's just a routine aircraft mechanism, explained Colonel Rajgopalan, founder of Aviation Training India. It is the sound of a hydraulic pump that operates automatically to maintain the pressure. This occurs during the single-engine taxi operations and is caused by the Power Transfer Unit (PTU). According to Rajgopalan, to save fuel during taxing and before takeoff, an aircraft switches on one engine and continues taxing when it is near a holding point before takeoff. 'When one engine is operating, then only one hydraulic system is working. The other one (which is yet to be switched on) becomes unbalanced, creating pressure. That is the reason why this particular sound occurs,' he said. In simple terms, when the PTU activates, it rapidly switches between the two hydraulic systems, creating a reciprocating flow of hydraulic fluid. This reciprocating action generates the barking or grinding noise. Can you hear the sound? (Photo: Freepik) The sound is not a sign of any engine problems or danger, and it's a regular part of the A320's hydraulic system operation. 'It is nothing to be worried about. It is part of the aircraft's mechanism,' asserted Rajgopalan. The PTU onboard the A320 is a hydraulically powered unit that exists to maintain a minimum pressure across two of the aircraft's hydraulic systems, unlike traditional motors or pumps, which are most likely electrically operated, said Rajgopalan. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Soumyaayaaa (@soumyatiwarii_) What more should you know? Rajgoapalan also mentioned that because of the PTU's location on the aircraft, you're more likely to hear the sound if you sit close to the aircraft's wings. According to him, the PTU is located near the main landing gear, which is positioned close to the wings, allowing passengers to distinctly hear the sound.
Indian Express
24-04-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Real reason all Indian aeroplanes have the ‘VT' call sign
Have you ever noticed the sign VT on Indian aircraft and wondered what it represents? Experts suggest that a radio call sign or registration code is assigned to each aircraft, and the prefix 'VT' is the nationality mark that each aircraft registered in India carries. 'The registration alphabet for aircraft registered in India is VT. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has allotted three series of call signs to India, but the 'VT' prefix is the one currently used,' said Colonel Rajgopalan, founder, 'Aviation Training India'. Adding that it is not an abbreviation and does not mean anything, he said that the full registration mark would follow this prefix, such as VT-123, where the numbers following 'VT' are unique identifiers for each aircraft. 'This system helps in identifying and tracking aircraft within the aviation industry,' Colonel Rajgopalan told According to the expert, India was assigned the call sign VT during the International Radiotelegraph Convention of Washington in 1927. In 1929, all British-owned territories, including Australia, Canada, India, Sri Lanka, etc., were allocated series VA to VZ. Australia got VH, Canada VP, Sri Lanka VP-C, and India got VT. 'It was just a series allocation for British territories, but VT did not signify it stood for Viceroy Territory,' said Rajgopalan. Why do Indian aircraft have a VT call sign? (Express Photo by Kamleshwar Singh) The International Telecommunication Union or ITU initially allotted three series of call signs to India: ATA-AWZ, VTA-VWZ, and 8TA-8YZ. 'All civilian aircraft registered in India continue to use the VT prefix,' said Rajgopalan. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Civil Aviation have been unable to provide evidence of VT standing for 'Victorian' or 'Viceroy's Territory'. 'The call sign on Indian planes VT is not an acronym for 'Viceroy Territory',' former Minister of State for Civil Aviation Vijay Kumar Singh told the Rajya Sabha in December 2021. In a written response to Member of Parliament Harnath Singh Yadav, Singh noted that all other call signs that are closer to India or Bharat, such as I, IN, B, BH, BM, or HT, are already assigned to other countries. Interestingly, if the call sign is changed, all documents will have to be reissued, such that all aircraft have to be grounded and repainted to change the markings, which can have a 'huge financial implication on the airlines and the civil aviation sector', Singh noted in his response.
